Erysipelas is a type of cellulitis (skin infection) generally caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Erysipelas may affect both children and adults. The risk factors associated with this infection include a cut in the skin, skin ulcers, and problems with the drainage through the veins or lymph system.
In the past, the face was most commonly involved site of infection, yet now accounts for only up to 20% of cases. The legs are affected in up to 80% of cases.
Symptoms:
Skin lesion with a raised border
Painful, very red, swollen, and warm skin underneath the lesion
Facial erysipelas lesions on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose
The diagnosis of erysipelas is based on how the skin looks. A biopsy of the skin is usually not needed.
Review Date: 10/9/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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General Dermatology, Infectious Diseases 
