Erysipelas, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

By Kenneth Kee

This book describes Erysipelas, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection in the upper layer of the skin.
It is similar to another skin disorder known as cellulitis, which is an infection in the lower layers of the skin.
Both conditions are similar in appearance and are treated in the same way.
Erysipelas involves the upper dermis and extends into the superficial cutaneous lymphatics.
It is also termed St Anthony's fire due to the intense rash linked with it.
Causes:
Erysipelas is usually caused by the Group A Streptococcus bacterium, the same bacterium that causes strep throat.
Erysipelas occurs when Group A Streptococcus bacteria penetrate the outer barrier of the skin.
These bacteria normally live on the skin and other surfaces without causing any harm.
However, they can enter the skin through a cut or a sore and cause an infection.
Conditions that cause breaks in the skin, such as athlete’s foot and eczema, can sometimes lead to erysipelas.
The infection results in large, raised red patches on the skin.
This is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, including blisters, fevers, and chills.
Erysipelas most frequently occurs on the face 20% and legs 80%.
Erysipelas may also occur when the bacteria spread to nasal passages following an infection in the nose and throat.
Erysipelas often improves with treatment.
The infection can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics.
Unlike cellulitis, almost all erysipelas is caused by Group A beta hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes).
Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Hemophilus influenzae have also been found rarely to cause erysipelas.
Symptoms
Symptoms and signs of erysipelas are normally abrupt in onset and often accompanied by fevers, chills and shivering.
Erysipelas predominantly affects the skin of the lower limbs, but when it involves the face, it can have a characteristic butterfly distribution on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose.
When erysipelas affects the face, the swollen area usually includes the nose and both cheeks.
The affected skin has a very sharp, raised border.
Diagnosis:
The doctor can usually diagnose erysipelas by simply performing a physical exam and asking the person about the symptoms.
During the exam, the doctor will check for swollen, reddened, and warm areas of skin in the face and legs.
Tests may reveal:
1. Raised white cell count
2. Raised C-reactive protein
3. Positive blood culture identifying the organism
MRI and CT are undertaken in case of deep infection.
The skin biopsy findings can show the presence of erysipelas.
Treatment
Most people with erysipelas can be treated at home, but some may require treatment in a hospital.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the treatment plan can include home remedies, medication, or surgery.
Home Care
Usually, the affected part of the body must be raised higher than the rest of the body to reduce swelling.
If the leg is affected, the person should try to rest as much as possible with the leg elevated above the hip.
It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and to get up and walk around from time to time.
Antibiotics
1. Oral or intravenous penicillin is the antibiotic of first choice.
2. Erythromycin, roxithromycin or pristinamycin may be used in patients with penicillin allergy.
3. Vancomycin is used for facial erysipelas caused by MRSA
Treatment is usually for 10–14 days
More serious cases of erysipelas are generally treated at the hospital, where antibiotics can be given through a vein (IV).
Surgery may be needed to cut away the dead tissue.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Erysipelas
Chapter 2 Causes
Chap

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Kee
• Release date: May 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463818336

Kenneth Kee

Medical doctor since 1972.Started Kee Clinic in 1974 at 15 Holland Dr #03-102, relocated to 36 Holland Dr #01-10 in 2009.Did my M.Sc (Health Management ) in 1991 and Ph.D (Healthcare Administration) in 1993.Dr Kenneth Kee is still working as a family doctor at the age of 74However he has reduced his consultation hours to 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours inthe afternoon.He first started writing free blogs on medical disorders seen in the clinic in 2007 on http://kennethkee.blogspot.com.His purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of his patients which is also his dissertation for his Ph.D (Healthcare Administration). He then wrote an autobiography account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.comThis autobiography account “A Family Doctor’s Tale” was combined with his early “A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders” into a new Wordpress Blog “A Family Doctor’s Tale” on http://ken-med.com.From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 1000 eBooks.He apologized for typos and spelling mistakes in his earlier books.He will endeavor to improve the writing in futures.Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.The later books go into more details of medical disorders.He has published 1000 eBooks on various subjects on health, 1 autobiography of his medical journey, another on the autobiography of a Cancer survivor, 2 children stories and one how to study for his nephew and grand-daughter.The purpose of these simple guides is to educate patient on health disorders and not meant as textbooks.He does not do any night duty since 2000 ever since Dr Tan had his second stroke.His clinic is now relocated to the Buona Vista Community Centre.The 2 units of his original clinic are being demolished to make way for a new Shopping Mall.He is now doing some blogging and internet surfing (bulletin boards since the 1980's) startingwith the Apple computer and going to PC.The entire PC is upgraded by himself from XT to the present Pentium duo core.The present Intel i7 CPU is out of reach at the moment because the CPU is still expensive.He is also into DIY changing his own toilet cistern and other electric appliance.His hunger for knowledge has not abated and he is a lifelong learner.The children have all grown up and there are 2 grandchildren who are even more technically advanced than the grandfather where mobile phones are concerned.This book is taken from some of the many articles in his blog (now with 740 posts) A Family Doctor’s Tale.Dr Kee is the author of:"A Family Doctor's Tale""Life Lessons Learned From The Study And Practice Of Medicine""Case Notes From A Family Doctor"

Book preview

Erysipelas,

A

Simple

Guide

To

The Condition,

Diagnosis,

Treatment

And

Related Conditions

By

Dr Kenneth Kee

M.B.,B.S. (Singapore)

Ph.D (Healthcare Administration)

Copyright Kenneth Kee 2019 Smashwords Edition

Published by Kenneth Kee at Smashwords.com

Dedication

This book is dedicated

To my wife Dorothy

And my children

Carolyn, Grace

And Kelvin

This book describes Erysipelas, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases which is seen in some of my patients in my Family Clinic.

(What You Need to Treat Erysipelas)

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Introduction

I have been writing medical articles for my blog: http://kennethkee.blogspot.com (A Simple Guide to Medical Disorder) for the benefit of my patients since 2007.

My purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of my patients.

Health Education was also my dissertation for my Ph.D (Healthcare Administration).

I then wrote an autobiography account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog: http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.com.

This autobiography account A Family Doctor’s Tale was combined with my early A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders into a new Wordpress Blog A Family Doctor’s Tale on http://kenkee481.wordpress.com.

From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 800 eBooks.

Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.

For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.

The later books go into more details of medical disorders.

The first chapter is always from my earlier blogs which unfortunately tends to have typos and spelling mistakes.

Since 2013, I have tried to improve my spelling and writing.

As I tried to bring the patient the latest information about a disorder or illness by reading the latest journals both online and offline, I find that I am learning more and improving on my own medical knowledge in diagnosis and treatment for my patients.

Just by writing all these simple guides I find that I have learned a lot from your reviews (good or bad), criticism and advice.

I am sorry for the repetitions in these simple guides as the second chapters onwards have new information as compared to my first chapter taken from my blog.

I also find repetition definitely help me and maybe some readers to remember the facts in the books more easily.

I apologize if these repetitions are irritating to some readers.

Chapter 1

Erysipelas

What Is Erysipelas?

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection in the upper layer of the skin.

It is similar to another skin disorder known as cellulitis, which is an infection in the lower layers of the skin.

Both conditions are similar in appearance and are treated in the same way.

Erysipelas involves the upper dermis and extends into the superficial cutaneous lymphatics.

It is also termed St Anthony's fire due to the intense rash linked with it.

What is the cause of Erysipelas?

Causes:

Erysipelas is usually caused