Erisipelas and its Management in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Erysipelas is an acute dermo-hypodermic (non-necrotizing) infection of bacterial origin, mainly group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The lower limbs are affected in more than 80% of cases and the risk factors identified are skin barrier breakdown, lymphedema and obesity. Diagnosis is clinical and is based on the association of an acute inflammatory plaque with fever, lymphangitis, lymphadenopathy and leukocytosis. Bacteriology is generally not useful due to low sensitivity or late positivity. In atypical forms, erysipelas should be distinguished from necrotizing fasciitis and acute venous thrombosis. Penicillin remains the gold standard treatment, although new drugs may be used, given their pharmacodynamic profile. Recurrence is the main complication, being crucial the correct treatment of risk factors1.