Erysipelas or erysipelas is an infectious disease caused by streptococci. It is characterized by damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue with the formation of a focus of inflammation. Most often localized in the shins, hips, sometimes on the chest, in the genital area, it can very rarely occur on the skin of the face.
The very word "erysipelas" came from the beautiful word "rose." This similarity is due to the fact that the focus of inflammation has a crimson-red color, and the existing swelling is somewhat reminiscent of flower petals. The disease occurs suddenly and affects not only the skin, but the whole organism.
Symptoms: An erysipelatous inflammation of the lower leg at the initial stage can be determined by the presence of sudden itching at the site of the lesion, without causing sweating. Then there are pains, swelling, redness of the affected area, fever up to 39 °. Lymphatic circulation disorders occur in the affected lower leg, which leads to elephantiasis of the leg and further disability of the patient. With a severe form of the disease, purulent inflammation can develop , often turning into gangrene.
Infection factors: The cause of such a dangerous disease as erysipelas of the lower leg is the penetration of streptococcus pathogen through the skin through various injuries (abrasions, scratches, etc.).
Some people, although they do not have "erysipelas," are carriers of streptococcus bacteria. For the development of the disease, the presence of concomitant diseases and some certain factors is necessary:
- mechanical disorders of the skin (scratches, cracks, abrasions, diaper rash, abrasions);
- exposure to ultraviolet rays;
- temperature effect (overheating, hypothermia);
- stresses;
- injuries, bruises;
- predisposing diseases of the legs (thrombophlebitis, varicose disorders, trophic ulcers, inflammation of the lymph, foot fungus);
- diabetes;
- alcoholism.
Diagnosis: Quite often erysipelas of the lower leg are confused with other infectious and vascular diseases: thrombophlebitis, dermatitis, herpes zoster, eczema and others. Diagnosis for the presence of the disease is based on a visual assessment of the general condition of the patient. Also, for an accurate diagnosis, a general and bacteriological blood test is prescribed.
Treatment: In view of the fact that erysipelas are difficult to treat and can go into a more complex form, as well as reoccur, treatment should be carried out in a hospital under strict medical supervision. Home treatments do not exist.
The most effective step in the treatment of the disease is antibiotic therapy. Basically, penicillin drugs are prescribed. Before the appointment to the patient, an analysis of bacterial resistance is necessarily done.
In addition to antibiotic treatment, physiotherapy is also used: UHF (high-frequency ultrasound), ultraviolet radiation (UV), infrared laser therapy, treatment with weak electric current discharges.
For those patients who have erysipelas of the tibia have a periodic nature of the inflammation, there are antibiotics of delayed (prolonged) action. These drugs block the growth of streptococcus bacteria in the body. They should be taken for quite a long time, from a month to a year.
Prevention: In order to carry out prophylaxis, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:
- Do not expose the body to sudden changes in temperature, do not overheat and do not supercool;
- timely treat any infectious focus in the body (tonsillitis, ulcers, sinusitis and others);
- timely eliminate fungal infections;
- visit public pools, baths and saunas only in specialized shoes, you should also not wear other people's shoes, since erysipelas of the legs are contagious;
- observe the rules of individual hygiene;
- increase immunity.