Erysipelas, also known as rose is a bacterial infection of the skin. A red rash that is warm appears within hours or a few days. As usual, the rash grows in size from hour to hour. The skin may be slightly raised and the lymph nodes enlarged. Typically, the rash is one-sided on the face, one arm or one foot. At the same time, it is common to have a fever and a feeling of illness. Blood tests can indicate that there is an infection in the body.
It is a bacterial infection in the outermost layer of the skin, most often with streptococci. The bacterium can penetrate the skin in a tear or small wound (for example in the case of athlete's foot between the toes, a skin injury or eczema), but it is not always possible to find out how this has happened. The infection activates the body's immune system, blood flows to the area and the skin turns red.
Most can be treated with antibiotic tablets or intravenously in hospital, but it happens that one has to be admitted to hospital and get antibiotics directly into the body. It is common to choose penicillin as an antibiotic. The part of the body with infection should be kept still.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
