BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuErysipelasStrep infection - erysipelas; Streptococcal infection - erysipelas; Cellulitis - erysipelasErysipelas is a type of skin infection. It affects the outermost layer of the skin and the local lymph nodes. Causes Erysipelas is usually caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. The condition may affect both children and adults.Some conditions that can lead to erysipelas are:A cut in the skin Problems with drainage through the veins or lymph system Skin sores (ulcers) Symptoms The infection occurs on the legs or arms most of the time. It may also occur on the face and trunk.Symptoms of erysipelas may include:Fever and chills Skin sore with a sharp raised border. As the infection spreads, the skin is painful, very red, swollen, and warm. Blisters on the skin can form. BlistersA vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Erysipelas is diagnosed based on how the skin looks. A biopsy of the skin is usually not needed.Biopsy of the skinA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Antibiotics are used to get rid of the infection. If the infection is severe, antibiotics may need to be given through an intravenous (IV) line.People who have repeated episodes of erysipelas may need long-term antibiotics. Outlook (Prognosis) With treatment, the outcome is good. It may take a few weeks for the skin to return to normal. Peeling is common as the skin heals. Possible Complications Sometimes the bacteria that cause erysipelas may travel to the blood. This results in a condition called bacteremia. When this happens, the infection may spread to the heart valves, joints, and bones.Other complications include:Return of infection Septic shock (a dangerous body-wide infection) Septic shockSeptic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure.Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have a skin sore or other symptoms of erysipelas. Prevention Keep your skin healthy by avoiding dry skin and preventing cuts and scrapes. This may reduce the risk for erysipelas.Open ReferencesReferencesBryant AE, Stevens DL. Streptococcus pyogenes. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 197.Patterson JW. Bacterial and rickettsial infections. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2021:chap 24.AllVideoImagesTogErysipelas on the cheek - illustration Erysipelas produces a rash that is red, slightly swollen, with very defined borders (well demarcated), warm, and tender to the touch. In this photograph, the right cheek is involved. There may be symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic) including fever and chills.Erysipelas on the cheekillustrationErysipelas on the face - illustration Erysipelas produces a rash that is red, slightly swollen, very defined (well demarcated), warm, and tender to the touch. This individual has infection in the skin on both sides of the face, however, bilateral (both side) involvement is infrequent. Erysipelas may produce symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic) such as fever and chills.Erysipelas on the faceillustrationErysipelas on the cheek - illustration Erysipelas produces a rash that is red, slightly swollen, with very defined borders (well demarcated), warm, and tender to the touch. In this photograph, the right cheek is involved. There may be symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic) including fever and chills.Erysipelas on the cheekillustrationErysipelas on the face - illustration Erysipelas produces a rash that is red, slightly swollen, very defined (well demarcated), warm, and tender to the touch. This individual has infection in the skin on both sides of the face, however, bilateral (both side) involvement is infrequent. Erysipelas may produce symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic) such as fever and chills.Erysipelas on the faceillustrationRelated Information Cellulitis(Condition)Septic shock(Condition) Review Date: 11/18/2022 Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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ErysipelasStrep infection - erysipelas; Streptococcal infection - erysipelas; Cellulitis - erysipelasErysipelas is a type of skin infection. It affects the outermost layer of the skin and the local lymph nodes. Causes Erysipelas is usually caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. The condition may affect both children and adults.Some conditions that can lead to erysipelas are:A cut in the skin Problems with drainage through the veins or lymph system Skin sores (ulcers) Symptoms The infection occurs on the legs or arms most of the time. It may also occur on the face and trunk.Symptoms of erysipelas may include:Fever and chills Skin sore with a sharp raised border. As the infection spreads, the skin is painful, very red, swollen, and warm. Blisters on the skin can form. BlistersA vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Erysipelas is diagnosed based on how the skin looks. A biopsy of the skin is usually not needed.Biopsy of the skinA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Antibiotics are used to get rid of the infection. If the infection is severe, antibiotics may need to be given through an intravenous (IV) line.People who have repeated episodes of erysipelas may need long-term antibiotics. Outlook (Prognosis) With treatment, the outcome is good. It may take a few weeks for the skin to return to normal. Peeling is common as the skin heals. Possible Complications Sometimes the bacteria that cause erysipelas may travel to the blood. This results in a condition called bacteremia. When this happens, the infection may spread to the heart valves, joints, and bones.Other complications include:Return of infection Septic shock (a dangerous body-wide infection) Septic shockSeptic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure.Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have a skin sore or other symptoms of erysipelas. Prevention Keep your skin healthy by avoiding dry skin and preventing cuts and scrapes. This may reduce the risk for erysipelas.Open ReferencesReferencesBryant AE, Stevens DL. Streptococcus pyogenes. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 197.Patterson JW. Bacterial and rickettsial infections. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2021:chap 24.