Erysipelas Differential Diagnoses

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

Differential Diagnoses

  • Cellulitis
  • Dermatitis, Contact
  • Erysipelas Carcinomatosum
  • Erythema Induratum
  • Erythema Nodosum
  • Granuloma Faciale
  • Necrotizing Fasciitis
  • Stasis Dermatitis
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
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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].

 
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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.
 
 
 
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