Erysipelas Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Loretta Davis, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 11, 2012
 

History

Patients often cannot recall an inciting event, but a history of recent trauma or pharyngitis may be elicited. Prodromal symptoms, such as malaise, chills, and high fever, often begin before the onset of the skin lesions and usually are present within 48 hours of cutaneous involvement. Pruritus, burning, and tenderness are typical complaints.

Next

Physical

Erysipelas begins as a small erythematous patch that progresses to a fiery-red, indurated, tense, and shiny plaque, as shown in the image below.

Facial erysipelas exhibiting classic fiery-red plaFacial erysipelas exhibiting classic fiery-red plaque with raised, well-demarcated borders.

The lesion classically exhibits raised, sharply demarcated, advancing margins. This is in opposition to the slightly deeper involvement seen in cellulitis, with which lesions present with limited edema and less well-defined borders. Local signs of inflammation, such as warmth, edema, and tenderness, are universal. Lymphatic involvement often is manifested by overlying skin streaking and regional lymphadenopathy. More severe infections may exhibit numerous vesicles and bullae along with petechiae and even frank necrosis. With treatment, the lesion often desquamates and can resolve with pigmentary changes that may or may not resolve over time.

Previous
Next

Causes

Streptococci are the primary cause of erysipelas. Most facial infections are attributed to group A streptococci, with an increasing percentage of lower extremity infections being caused by non–group A streptococci. Streptococcal toxins are thought to contribute to the brisk inflammation that is pathognomonic of this infection. No clear proof has emerged that other bacteria cause typical erysipelas, although they clearly coexist with streptococci at sites of inoculation. Recently, atypical forms reportedly have been caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Moraxella species, and they should be considered in cases refractory to standard antibiotic therapy.

The role of Staphylococcus aureus, and specifically methicillin-resistant S aureus, remains controversial. No conclusive evidence demonstrates a pathogenic role for staphylococci in typical erysipelas. The infection's predictable response to penicillin, even when S aureus is present, argues against S aureus as an etiologic agent. However, analogous to what occurs in bullous impetigo or staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, exotoxins from coexisting S aureus may account for the clinical presentation of bullous erysipelas.[6]

Previous
Proceed to Differential Diagnoses
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Loretta Davis, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Medical College of Georgia

Loretta Davis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John A Cole, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL

John A Cole, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Keith Benbenisty, MD  Consulting Staff, Associates in Dermatology, MDs, PA

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christen M Mowad, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Christen M Mowad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Glen H Crawford, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital

Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Jorup-Ronstrom C. Epidemiological, bacteriological and complicating features of erysipelas. Scand J Infect Dis. 1986;18(6):519-24. [Medline].

  2. Vignes S, Dupuy A. Recurrence of lymphoedema-associated cellulitis (erysipelas) under prophylactic antibiotherapy: a retrospective cohort study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Aug 2006;20(7):818-22. [Medline].

  3. Pereira de Godoy JM, Azoubel LM, Guerreiro Godoy Mde F. Erysipelas and lymphangitis in patients undergoing lymphedema treatment after breast-cancer therapy. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Panonica Adriat. Jun 2009;18(2):63-5. [Medline].

  4. [Best Evidence] Damstra RJ, van Steensel MA, Boomsma JH, Nelemans P, Veraart JC. Erysipelas as a sign of subclinical primary lymphoedema: a prospective quantitative scintigraphic study of 40 patients with unilateral erysipelas of the leg. Br J Dermatol. Jun 2008;158(6):1210-5. [Medline].

  5. Ellis H. The last year before the dawn of antibiotics. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). Aug 2009;70(8):475. [Medline].

  6. Krasagakis K, Samonis G, Maniatakis P, Georgala S, Tosca A. Bullous erysipelas: clinical presentation, staphylococcal involvement and methicillin resistance. Dermatology. 2006;212(1):31-5. [Medline].

  7. Bonnetblanc JM, Bedane C. Erysipelas: recognition and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(3):157-63. [Medline].

  8. Grosshans EM. The red face: erysipelas. Clin Dermatol. Apr-Jun 1993;11(2):307-13. [Medline].

  9. Leppard BJ, Seal DV, Colman G, Hallas G. The value of bacteriology and serology in the diagnosis of cellulitis and erysipelas. Br J Dermatol. May 1985;112(5):559-67. [Medline].

  10. Bishara J, Golan-Cohen A, Robenshtok E, Leibovici L, Pitlik S. Antibiotic use in patients with erysipelas: a retrospective study. Isr Med Assoc J. Oct 2001;3(10):722-4. [Medline].

  11. Vos MD, Bos RR, Vissink A. [A sudden redness and swelling of the face]. Ned Tijdschr Tandheelkd. Jul 2009;116(7):383-6. [Medline].

  12. Sjoblom AC, Eriksson B, Jorup-Ronstrom C, Karkkonen K, Lindqvist M. Antibiotic prophylaxis in recurrent erysipelas. Infection. Nov-Dec 1993;21(6):390-3. [Medline].

  13. Bernard P, Plantin P, Roger H, et al. Roxithromycin versus penicillin in the treatment of erysipelas in adults: a comparative study. Br J Dermatol. Aug 1992;127(2):155-9. [Medline].

  14. Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections. Clin Infect Dis. Nov 15 2005;41(10):1373-406. [Medline].

  15. Coste N, Perceau G, Leone J, et al. Osteoarticular complications of erysipelas. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 2004;50(2):203-9. [Medline].

  16. Bisno AL, Stevens DL. Streptococcal infections of skin and soft tissues. N Engl J Med. Jan 25 1996;334(4):240-5. [Medline].

  17. Bratton RL, Nesse RE. St. Anthony's Fire: diagnosis and management of erysipelas. Am Fam Physician. Feb 1 1995;51(2):401-4. [Medline].

  18. Chartier C, Grosshans E. Erysipelas. Int J Dermatol. Sep 1990;29(7):459-67. [Medline].

  19. Chartier C, Grosshans E. Erysipelas: an update. Int J Dermatol. Nov 1996;35(11):779-81. [Medline].

  20. Elston DM. Epidemiology and prevention of skin and soft tissue infections. Cutis. May 2004;73(5 Suppl):3-7. [Medline].

  21. Hammar H, Wanger L. Erysipelas and necrotizing fasciitis. Br J Dermatol. Apr 1977;96(4):409-19. [Medline].

  22. Ronnen M, Suster S, Schewach-Millet M, Modan M. Erysipelas. Changing faces. Int J Dermatol. Apr 1985;24(3):169-72. [Medline].

  23. Torok L. Uncommon manifestations of erysipelas. Clin Dermatol. Sep-Oct 2005;23(5):515-8. [Medline].

  24. Zeglaoui F, Dziri C, Mokhtar I, et al. Intramuscular bipenicillin vs. intravenous penicillin in the treatment of erysipelas in adults: randomized controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Jul 2004;18(4):426-8. [Medline].

 
Previous
Next
 
Well-demarcated, erythematous plaque of erysipelas. Courtesy of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Facial erysipelas exhibiting classic fiery-red plaque with raised, well-demarcated borders.
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.