home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
/
CDRT.iso
/
dp
/
0372
/
03723.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
5KB
|
143 lines
$Unique_ID{BRK03723}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Erysipelas}
$Subject{Erysipelas Saint Anthony Fire Cellulitis Orbital Cellulitis Herpes
Zoster Angioedema Contact Dermatitis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
757:
Erysipelas
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Erysipelas) is not the
name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate
names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Saint Anthony Fire
Cellulitis
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Orbital Cellulitis
Herpes Zoster
Angioedema
Contact Dermatitis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection characterized by a spreading
inflammation of the skin and its underlying tissue (cellulitis) particularly
on the face, arms or legs. It is a type of cellulitis which is a due to an
acute infection by streptococci bacteria.
Symptoms
Erysipelas usually first appears as a localized, tender red lesion that
rapidly becomes bright red, shiny, hot and painful and develops a raised,
spreading border. There may be accompanying high fever, chills, headache,
nausea and a general feeling of ill health. The skin in the infected area
may resemble the peel of an orange.
Infants may develop Erysipelas on the abdomen due to infection of the
umbilical cord. In children and adults the most commonly affected areas are
the face, legs and arms. Infection may also occur at sites of minor surgery
or trauma, and may be a complication of lymphatic obstruction.
Causes
Erysipelas is caused by group A streptococci bacteria.
Affected Population
Erysipelas is a fairly common infection that may affect anyone at any age.
It is most common in infants, young children and the elderly.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Erysipelas.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Orbital Cellulitis is a bacterial infection characterized by inflammation
of the tissue surrounding the eye. Symptoms may include pain in the eye
socket, abnormal protrusion of the eyeball, impaired movement of the eye,
swelling of the eyelid and fever.
Herpes Zoster is a viral infection of the central nervous system. It is
characterized by the eruption of blisters, nerve pain and severe itching of
the skin. The involved skin is usually very sensitive and painful. (For
more information on this disorder, choose "Herpes Zoster" as your search term
in the Rare Disease Database).
Hereditary Angioedema is a disorder characterized by swelling of parts of
the skin of the hands or feet, the eyelids, lips and genitalia. The swollen
tissue is painful and hard to the touch. (For more information on this
disorder, choose "Angioedema, Hereditary" as your search term in the Rare
Disease Database).
Contact Dermatitis is a common acute or chronic skin inflammation
triggered by substances that one is allergic to which come in contact with
the skin. It is characterized by red, itching, oozing, crusting, scaling,
burning and painful skin. (For more information on this disorder, choose
"Contact Dermatitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Therapies: Standard
Erysipelas is usually treated with oral antibiotics such as penicillin or
erythromycin. Cold packs, aspirin and pain relievers may be prescribed for
relief of local discomfort. If the Erysipelas is extensive, the infected
individual may have to be hospitalized to receive antibiotics intravenously.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through January
1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Erysipelas, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5717
References
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and
Co., 1987. Pp. 1508.
THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 1, 14th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief;
Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories, 1982. Pp. 49-51, 2265.
CHANGES IN THE PATTERN OF INFECTION CAUSED BY STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES. E.
Gaworzewska et al.; EPIDEMIOL INFECT (April, 1988; issue 100 (2)). Pp. 257-
269.
CELLULITIS AND RELATED SKIN INFECTIONS. S.J. Suss et al.; AM FAM
PHYSICIAN (September, 1987; issue 36 (3)). Pp. 126-136.
ERYSIPELAS AND GROUP G STREPTOCOCCI. M. Hugo-Persson et al.; INFECTION
(May-June, 1987; issue 15(3)). Pp. 184-187.