Erysipelas is a dangerous infectious disease that is characterized by damage to the skin and mucous membranes. The pathological process in most cases develops due to the rapid multiplication of pathogenic bacteria. The patient suffers from intoxication and pain. Treatment for erysipelatous skin inflammation should be carried out by a qualified specialist in order to avoid the development of dangerous complications.
Basic information
Infectious skin lesions are most often triggered by group A streptococci. The disease is accompanied by serous or hemorrhagic lesions of the epidermis, fever and symptoms of general intoxication of the body. Erysipelas is one of the most common infectious diseases of the skin. The pathological process is equally affected by men, women and children.
Group A streptococci belong to the group of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. Normally, they are present in the oropharynx of almost every person, a small part of them is also on the skin. As soon as a person’s immunity decreases, the body’s resistance to pathogenic microflora decreases, bacteria begin to multiply rapidly. The risk group includes people suffering from chronic diseases, diabetes mellitus, and other endocrine disorders. The development of the disease can contribute to factors of individual predisposition.
Erysipelas of the skin belong to the category of infectious diseases. Treatment at home must be carried out according to special rules. It is important to follow preventative measures so as not to infect family members. Particularly susceptible to infection are small children and pregnant women due to reduced immunity. The probability of infection in patients who take steroid hormones for a long time increases. If the patient suffers from chronic streptococcal infections, the risk of encountering erysipelas of the skin also increases.
Damage to the limbs and chest often develops in people suffering from lymphovenous insufficiency. Against the background of a violation of the venous outflow, the supply of oxygen to the tissues decreases. As a result, trophic ulcers appear, and pathogenic microflora rapidly multiplies in the affected area.
The causative agent easily penetrates the body through damaged skin or with a blood stream in the presence of any chronic diseases. Streptococcus rapidly multiplies in the lymphatic capillaries of the dermis. As a result, the vital products of bacteria are released into the bloodstream in large numbers, which provokes the development of symptoms of general intoxication of the body. If the disease progresses rapidly and the patient is not helped, the risk of death due to toxic-infectious shock increases.
Classification of erysipelas
Treatment of the disease is prescribed in accordance with its type. The pathological process is classified according to several signs. The severity of symptoms, the duration of the course of the disease, the nature of the manifestations are taken into account. Three degrees of erysipelatous inflammation of the skin are distinguished. Treatment and symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the disease.
With a mild degree, the acute period lasts no more than three days, correctly selected antibacterial therapy quickly gives relief. In most cases, the disease proceeds in this form. With moderate severity, an extensive lesion of the skin is observed. Unpleasant symptoms present 5-6 days. It is not possible to immediately remove the symptoms of general intoxication of the body. The most dangerous is a severe illness. Inflammation is very difficult to tolerate, fever and other symptoms of general intoxication are present for a week or more.
The disease can be local or common throughout the body. By the nature of the manifestations, the following types of erysipelas of the skin are distinguished.
- Focused. Inflammation develops in a specific area of the body.
- Metastatic. On the body there are several areas of inflammation that are located far from each other.
- Migratory. The defeat from one part of the body passes to another.
In most cases, the disease always develops in an acute form. If therapy is carried out incorrectly or untimely, the pathological process becomes chronic. Symptoms can subside and manifest with renewed vigor while reducing the body's defenses. If erysipelas have been completely cured, but after some time the symptoms recur, this disease is called recurrent.
Symptoms of the disease
Treatment of erysipelatous skin inflammation on the leg, arm or other parts of the body must be started when the first signs of the pathological process appear. Early therapy will avoid dangerous complications. The incubation period can be from several hours to five days. In 90% of cases, unpleasant symptoms develop within 24 hours after contact with an infection carrier. The disease is characterized by an acute onset. First of all, symptoms of general intoxication develop - fever (temperature can rise up to 40 degrees Celsius), nausea, headache, drowsiness, general weakness.
Dangerous symptoms develop with a severe form of the disease. The patient may develop severe vomiting and diarrhea, which is fraught with dehydration. Local symptoms begin to appear a few hours after the patient worsens. Initially, itching or burning develops in a specific area of the skin or mucous membrane. There is a slight soreness when feeling, a feeling of fullness. Regional lymph nodes increase in size, become painful.
The height of the disease falls on the next day after the appearance of the first signs. Disorders from the central nervous system may appear - loss of consciousness, confusion of thoughts, insomnia, delirium. A red seal appears in the focus of inflammation. The size of the affected area can reach a diameter of up to 30 cm.
Erythema is the main symptom that distinguishes erysipelas from other dermatological diseases. In this case, treatment must be started after the correct diagnosis is made. On their own, the patient cannot determine which pathogen provoked a deterioration in well-being. Qualified help is indispensable. Therefore, categorically it is impossible to carry out therapy at home without consulting a doctor.
If proper treatment is prescribed, fever and symptoms of general intoxication may be present for several more days. But the manifestations of the disease on the skin will remain for some time after the improvement of the general condition. In place of erythema, peeling and pigmentation appear. Traces of inflammation on the skin are often present for about a month. If pigmentation does not pass for a long time, this may indicate the likelihood of a relapse of the inflammatory process in this area.
Manifestations of the disease may vary, depending on the age of the patient, his individual characteristics. So, in young people, the disease is easy. Properly prescribed therapy quickly shows good results. In elderly patients, erysipelas often occur. Complex treatment has to be prescribed, taking into account the chronic diseases present.
Diagnostics
A specialist will not be able to prescribe treatment for photos of erysipelatous skin inflammation. The causes of the disease must be determined first. Therefore, the patient must personally come to the appointment with a dermatologist and pass the necessary tests. Online consultation through medical forums will not yield any result. You can only lose time and aggravate the inflammatory process.
Laboratory tests are mandatory, general blood and urine tests must be taken. With their help, it is possible to confirm the presence of a bacterial infection in the body. The type of pathogen is determined due to the bacterial culture of the affected epithelium. At the initial stage, an erysipelatous inflammation of the skin on the leg can be confused with anthrax. Treatment is prescribed after it is possible to study other manifestations of the pathological process. Erysipelas should be differentiated from systemic lupus erythematosus, phlegmon, scleroderma, eczema, psoriasis, abscess, etc.
Only after a comprehensive examination can you begin to treat erysipelas of the skin. In the photo below you can see how the defeat looks. However, many other dermatological diseases will have the same clinical manifestations. Therefore, it is important not to self-medicate, but as soon as possible to seek help from a qualified specialist.
Disease treatment
It can turn into serious complications, including amputation, erysipelas of the skin on the leg. Treatment at home can be carried out if the pathological process proceeds in a mild form. And even in this case, the treatment method is chosen by a specialist. If the disease develops in an infant or patient older than 65 years of age, therapy is carried out exclusively in a hospital under round-the-clock supervision of medical personnel. In weakened people, unpleasant symptoms can progress quickly.
At the initial stage, the patient is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics from a number of cephalosporins. Good results are shown by Cefaxime, Cefadroxil, Cefazolin. With mild manifestations of the disease, relief in the form of tablets is given. With dangerous clinical manifestations, antibacterial agents can be administered drip or intramuscularly.
In moderate to severe clinical manifestations, antibiotics from the group of fluoroquinolones or penicillins can be prescribed. The dosage and duration of the course of therapy is determined individually. In most cases, 7-10 days is enough to eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of the disease.
It is possible to overcome not only due to antibiotic treatment erysipelas of the skin. What other medicines do you need to stock up on? Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help to remove symptoms of general intoxication of the body, normalize well-being and body temperature. Good results show drugs "Nurofen", "Panadol." Many experts prescribe Ibuprofen. With its help, it is possible not only to improve the well-being of the patient, but also to strengthen the body's defenses.
With extreme caution, treatment for erysipelas of the skin of the face. In the photo below you can see the consequences of improper therapy. Inflammation can lead to scarring and scars. Antibacterial ointments should not be used categorically. Due to the dense structure of such drugs, the epidermis stops breathing, the healing process slows down. Affected areas must be treated using mild antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorhexidine).
A recurring erysipelas of the skin requires a special approach. Antibiotic treatment can be carried out in courses for several years. Drugs are selected individually.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
After stopping acute inflammation, normalizing body temperature and improving the general condition, physiotherapeutic procedures can be prescribed. With their help, it is possible to accelerate the process of regeneration of affected tissues, stimulate local immunity.
You can see how erysipelas are treated in the photo below. The technique involves the use of paraffin or ozokerite heated to 50 degrees. Warm material is applied to the affected area for 20-25 minutes, wrapped with oilcloth on top, covered with a warm towel or coverlet. Such heat treatment is carried out only in conjunction with antibiotic therapy. You cannot use paraffin alone at home. Heat can provoke the rapid multiplication of pathogenic microflora. As a result, unpleasant symptoms will resume.
UHF helps accelerate the regeneration of the affected epidermis. The erythema region is affected by an ultrahigh-frequency electric field. Such waves stimulate local immunity, have anti-inflammatory effects. The session lasts about 10 minutes. Achieve good results allows a course of 10-15 procedures.
General recommendations
The success of treating erysipelas of the skin of the hand or any other area directly depends on how correctly the patient complies with the doctor's recommendations. It is important not only to take all the prescribed drugs, but also to observe bed rest, to abandon any physical activity until the general condition normalizes.
It will be necessary to pay attention to the diet. To speed up the process of regeneration of the affected epidermis, it is necessary to include in the diet food rich in vitamins of groups B, E, C. Additionally, multivitamin complexes can be prescribed by a specialist. It is also important to observe the correct drinking regimen. In the acute period of the disease, you should drink at least two liters of pure water per day. So it will be possible to accelerate the process of removing toxins from the body.
ethnoscience
Alternative treatment of erysipelas of the skin can show really good results. Many recipes have been used for years. However, such therapy should definitely be agreed with the attending physician. Quickly restore the condition of the skin will allow propolis tincture, prepared at home. Such a medicine will relieve inflammation, strengthen local immunity, and accelerate the regeneration of damaged epidermis. Reviews show that the tool also has anesthetic effect, relieves pain.
For the treatment of inflamed areas, it is necessary to use a 10% tincture. Three tablespoons of propolis from an apiary (about 100 g) must be poured with a liter of alcohol. The tool must be infused in a dark, cool place for two weeks, occasionally shaking. I use the finished medicine to treat the affected area several times a day. Such a tool can also be taken orally to strengthen the body's defenses in a recurring form of the disease. All that is needed is to dilute 15 drops of tincture with boiled water and drink once a day for a month.
Treatment of erysipelatous skin inflammation at home can be done using frog eggs. The tool has a pronounced wound healing effect. Caviar should be collected in spring, during the period of active reproduction of frogs. The resulting raw materials should be dried on a piece of cotton cloth. Caviar is used for therapeutic compresses. It is believed that if you apply raw materials to the affected area at night, you can get rid of erysipelas in a few days.
With the use of Kalanchoe, erysipelas of the skin on the leg can be treated. Photos of the plant can be seen below. Kalanchoe juice has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, as well as immunostimulating effect. To get the medicine, the plant is ground, then squeezed. For the treatment of erysipelas, the juice is diluted in equal proportions with a solution of novocaine. Such therapy makes it possible not only to relieve inflammation, but also to reduce the manifestations of pain. With proper therapy, symptoms can be completely eliminated within a week.
Pronounced anti-inflammatory properties have an ointment based on plantain and honey. The plant is crushed and mixed with honey in a ratio of 1: 1. The finished mixture must be put on low heat and cook for two hours. Then the medicine must be cooled. This ointment is used for compresses at night. The mixture is applied to the affected area, a gauze dressing is applied on top. The procedure must be performed daily until complete recovery.
A recipe based on fresh burdock and sour cream is popular. The torn plant is well washed in warm water, lubricated with homemade sour cream with a high degree of fat content. The finished compress is applied to the affected area, fixed with a bandage. Change the bandage three times a day.
With relapsing erysipelas of the skin, it is important to strengthen the immune system. The body's defenses can be stimulated with the help of alcohol tinctures of Echinacea or Eleutherococcus. Ready-made medicines can be purchased at the pharmacy.It is recommended to take 20 drops daily for a month. After 2-3 months, the course can be repeated.
Treatment prognosis
With a mild degree of erysipelatous skin inflammation, treatment with folk remedies will already give a good result. However, any treatment technique should be discussed with your doctor. It is strictly forbidden to engage in self-medication.
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