Erysipelas is caused by germs called bacteria. These germs live on the skin or come from other sources. They can enter the skin through a cut or injury to the skin. Once in the skin, the germs can grow and spread to the surrounding skin layers.

Puncture Wound

Risk Factors

Erysipelas is more common in infants, young children, and older adults. Other things that raise the risk are:

Any damage to the skin, such as a cut, scratch, blister, burn, puncture, ulcer, or bite
Certain skin conditions, such as:
Lymphedema
Venous insufficiency
Obesity

Symptoms

Erysipelas often affects the face, arms, or legs. However, it can happen anywhere on the skin.

Symptoms may be:

Skin that is warm, red, firm, and swollen
Blisters
Pain or tenderness
Swollen glands or lymph nodes
Fever or chills

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. The doctor can diagnose erysipelas based on a skin exam.

Tests may be done if treatment does not help or there are other health problems. Tests may include:

Blood tests
Cultures of blisters
Skin biopsy—a sample of affected skin is taken and tested

Treatment

The goal is to treat the infection. Antibiotics are given by IV, pills, or liquids by mouth.

Underlying conditions may also be treated.

Prevention

The risk of erysipelas may be lowered by:

Treating conditions that raise the risk
Antibiotics to prevent infection—in those who have skin infections often

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology
https://www.aad.org

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
https://www.niaid.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Dermatology Association
https://dermatology.ca

Health Canada
http://www.canada.ca

References:

Cellulitis and erysipelas. Patient website. Available at: https://patient.info/skin-conditions/skin-rashes/cellulitis-and-erysipelas . Accessed July 30, 2021.

Erysipelas. DermNet New Zealand website. Available at: https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/erysipelas. Accessed July 30, 2021.

Erysipelas. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/erysipelas . Accessed July 30, 2021.

Kozłowska D, Myśliwiec H, et al. Clinical and epidemiological assessment of patients hospitalized for primary and recurrent erysipelas. Przegl Epidemiol. 2016;70(4):575-584.

Management of erysipelas and cellulitis. The International Foundation for Dermatology website. Available at: https://ilds.org/our-foundation/. Accessed July 30, 2021.

Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Dan Ostrovsky, MD
Last Updated: 7/30/2021

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.