Medical description:

Acute febrile disease with localised inflammation and redness of the skin and subcutaneous tissue accompanied by systemic disturbance.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Painful and warm skin
  • Red rash
  • Lesions that are hot and red usually seen within 24 to 48 hours.

Signs and symptoms can vary, however the most common two are a shiny red rash that can have small vesicles appear and is tender to touch, or flu-like symptoms with a high fever, chills and malais.

Treatments:

Orthodox treatment is antibiotics.

Erysipelas may be recurrent and may result in chronic lymphoedema. Apart from discomfort of infection, there is likely to be lasting damage to the already compromised lymphatic system.

In cases of lymphoedema it is important to protect the body against infection, particulary the affected body part. Refer to the " Care Instructions List ".

Where no lymphoedema is present, but lymph nodes have been surgically removed or lymph vessels have been irradiated, regular lymph drainage treatments can help keep the lymphatic system functioning effectively and stimulate the immune system to guard against invading pathogens.