Erysipela is an infection of the surface layer of the skin that causes red, swollen and painful sores, and develops mainly in legs, face or arms, although it can appear anywhere in the body.
Is this disease? most common in people over the age of 50, obese or diabetic and is usually caused by a bacterium called Streptcoccus pyogenes, which can also cause a more severe form of the disease, called the bubble erysipela, which causes liquid, yellow or brown sores.
- Erysipela can be cured when treatment is started quickly with antibiotics guided by a family doctor or dermatologist.
- Such as penicillin.
- However.
- In some cases.
- This disease may recur or even become chronic.
- Making it harder to eliminate.
In addition, if the lesion is not treated quickly, the bacteria may cause a buildup of pus, cause skin necrosis or reach the bloodstream, causing a widespread infection and even a risk of death.
When the infection reaches the deepest layers of the skin, the lesion is called infectious cellulite. Learn more about this disease in symptoms and the treatment of infectious cellulite.
Erysipela is not contagious, as happens when bacteria that colonize the body enter the skin through an entrance, usually a wound, insect bite, chronic venous ulcer, mishandling of nails or freezing and athlete’s foot, for example, and for these reasons, it is more common for erysipela to occur in the feet and legs.
Anyone can develop this infection, however, people with weakened, obese or deficient blood circulation are the most sensitive. Therefore, the best way to prevent the development of the disease is to properly treat and protect skin sores so that they cannot become infected. Learn how to make a bandage to protect the wound.
The main bacterium is Streptcoccus pyogenes, also known as group A beta-hemolytic strep. However, other bacteria that live on the skin can also cause these lesions, such as Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria reach the layers of the skin and lymph tissues, where they cause injury and inflammation, which cause the disease.
Diagnosis of erysipela is made by your family doctor or dermatologist, looking at symptoms of the disease, and no other specific tests are usually necessary.
Thus, as soon as the first symptoms appear, it is important to see the doctor, so that the disease can begin to identify and treat quickly to avoid complications such as lymphedema, elephantiasis or widespread infection.
Erysipela can be treated at home, with the ingestion of antibiotics, such as penicillin, amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin, which should be taken for about 10 to 14 days, as instructed by your doctor.
Antibiotics in the vein can be used in situations of more extensive injury or when they reach the bloodstream, such as sepsis. When the problem is bubble erysipela, in addition to the use of antibiotics, it may also be necessary to use creams to transmit the affected skin and improve symptoms, which usually contain fusidic acid or silver sulfadiazine in its composition.
For people with chronic or recurrent erysipela, it may be necessary to use intramuscular benzatine penicillin every 21 days to more effectively control the bacteria that live in the area.
In case of serious injuries, such as necrosis and purulent secretion, a surgical approach may be necessary, eliminating and draining large areas of dead skin and pus.
To facilitate recovery, in addition to antibiotic treatment, it is recommended to rest and lift the affected limb if the disease occurs in the legs or arms. In addition to this treatment, for some people with swollen legs, elastic stockings or the application of wet cold compresses in juniper infusion may be indicated in the affected areas. See how you can prepare this home remedy that should only be used with your doctor’s knowledge.