Erysipelas Follow-up

  • Author: Loretta Davis, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 11, 2010
 

Complications

The most common complications of erysipelas include abscess, gangrene, and thrombophlebitis. Less common complications (< 1%) are acute glomerulonephritis, endocarditis, septicemia, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Rare osteoarticular complications involve joints contiguous with the erysipelas plaques and include bursitis, osteitis, arthritis, and tendinitis.[13]

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Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with erysipelas is excellent. Complications of the infection usually are not life threatening, and most cases resolve after antibiotic therapy without sequelae. However, local recurrence has been reported in up to 20% of patients with predisposing conditions.

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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, Division of Dermatology, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville

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, UMDNJ-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

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, 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, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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