Contents
What is erysipelas
Erysipelas or in common erysipelas is an acute infectious disease caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (the same streptococcus causes streptococcal tonsillitis and purulent inflammation). Erysipelatous inflammation affects the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and also involves the lymphatic system in the process. In this case, the skin on the neck, face, legs is most often affected (as a rule, on one leg – bilateral erysipelas are rare).
Most often, erysipelas in adults occurs in spring and autumn, when the immune system is especially weakened, and also if there is damage to the skin (less often the mucous membrane) and edema, which form a favorable breeding ground for the reproduction of bacteria. At the same time, absolutely every person can get sick with erysipelas, regardless of gender and age, but still more often erysipelas occurs in the elderly and those with a weakened or immunodeficiency. Moreover, women are more likely to get sick than men.
Causes of erysipelas in adults
The source of streptococcal infection are people with diseases caused by streptococcus (for example, purulent tonsillitis) or carriers of the infection. Moreover, the latter may not experience any symptoms, but be very dangerous for people with reduced immunity. The infection enters the body through skin injuries (even the smallest ones), even through a scratch or combed insect bite.
There are several options for streptococcus to enter the body: during direct contact with an infected person (or common household items), airborne (or aerogenic) – through inhalation of contaminated air when talking, alimentary – through contaminated water or food, as well as through contaminated tools (for example, during a manicure) or dressings.
At risk for the occurrence of erysipelas are people with venous and heart failure, diabetes, overweight, swelling of the legs, fungal infections (for example, foot fungus), as well as people who abuse alcohol and intravenous narcotic injections. If you have to work hard in conditions of hypothermia, your immune system is weakened by frequent stress and malnutrition, you are also at risk.
Symptoms of erysipelas in adults
Erysipelas in adults begins very abruptly and suddenly. At first, a person experiences a slight malaise, after which his temperature jumps sharply, and a bright red edematous erythema (spot) appears on the affected area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe body, dense and hot to the touch. At the same time, its outlines resemble flames. In a severe form of the disease, blisters and plaques also form on the skin. The patient complains of weakness, chills, fever, nausea and muscle pain.
In general, the symptoms of erysipelas look like this:
- general intoxication of the body: chills, headache and muscle pain, high fever, nausea, swollen lymph nodes;
- before the formation of erythema, a person may experience mild pain and burning of the skin;
- on the legs, face (rarely hands), hot dense erythema is formed in the form of flames, which grows rapidly and is accompanied by edema. Blisters and inflamed plaques may appear.
Treatment of erysipelas in adults
Erysipelatous inflammation in adults can lead to serious complications and consequences, and in some severe cases requires treatment in a hospital, so in no case self-medicate, but consult a doctor immediately.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of erysipelas in adults includes several stages.
First, the surgeon collects an anamnesis of the disease – when the first symptoms appeared, what preceded them, whether there are scratches or insect bites on the affected areas of the skin, etc.
Then the doctor proceeds to the examination – evaluates redness, the location of the lesion, the degree of edema and the amount of erythema. Analyzes are prescribed: a coagulogram (blood clotting test – blood clots can form in the acute period of the disease), a general blood and urine test (for the presence of protein and red blood cells), as well as an analysis of discharge from erythema and vesicles to identify the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to antibiotics . If necessary, an additional consultation of an infectious disease specialist and a dermatologist is appointed.
Modern treatments
Current treatments for erysipelas in adults include:
- taking antibiotics to destroy the pathogen;
- external treatment – treatment with antiseptic preparations (if necessary, surgical treatment is performed);
- taking vitamin and mineral complexes to strengthen immunity.
In severe cases, a blood and plasma transfusion is prescribed. Also, the doctor will prescribe physiotherapy – UFO (ultraviolet rays), UHF (high-frequency magnetic field), laser, quartz, therapeutic baths. In severe cases, with immunodeficiency and advanced age of the patient, hospitalization in an infectious diseases hospital is indicated.
– There are a lot of methods for treating erysipelas today. All of them depend on the localization and complications of erysipelas. The main treatment prescribed by doctors is antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, and, if necessary, surgical treatment. Physiotherapy is also sometimes connected, – says surgeon of the highest qualification category Alexei Tyumin.
Prevention of erysipelas in adults at home
To avoid erysipelas of the skin, the following rules must be observed:
- careful hygiene and skin care;
- with the formation of pustules, scratches, insect bites, scuffs, diaper rash, calluses, careful regular treatment is necessary until complete healing – never comb or rub the insect bites with dirty hands;
- choose trusted clinics and beauty salons, since streptococcus can be transmitted through contaminated instruments and dressings;
- support your immunity, take vitamins, eat well, lead a healthy lifestyle;
- try to avoid hypothermia;
- timely treat all chronic foci of infection – fungal infections of the nails and skin, caries, as well as edema and thrombophlebitis;
- patients who have suffered erysipelas more than 4-5 times during the year are prescribed bicillin prophylaxis.
Popular questions and answers
We asked common questions about erysipelas in adults, surgeon, phlebologist Alexei Tyumin.