Erysipelas is a disease that has been diagnosed more and more frequently in recent years. The disease is prone to relapse, acute. Its feature is the presence of infectious foci on the mucous membranes and skin areas. Class A streptococci provoke infection. As a rule, erysipelas is characterized by a feverish state, general poisoning of the body. Higher frequency of occurrence in autumn, summer. The disease is more often diagnosed in women than in men. Up to 60% of patients over 40.
Where did the trouble come from?
Erysipelas is a disease that can be provoked by streptococci from class A. Infection occurs through a violation of the integrity of the mucous membranes, the epidermis. You can get sick by getting an abrasion or microscopic injury. Streptococci can enter the body in the presence of diaper rash, cracks or other violations of the integrity of the integument. You can become infected by meeting with a carrier of bacteria, as well as with a person suffering from streptococcal disease. The form of the disease does not matter.
Erysipelas is a disease transmitted mainly by aerosol, although cases of contact infection are also known. This is moredegree is characteristic of those who are forced to use tools with which a potential carrier of bacteria comes into contact. You can get infected through dressings.
Risks and dangers
Doctors have found that erysipelas is a disease that occurs more often in people undergoing treatment with steroid medications. The risk group includes people suffering from chronic infectious diseases, and of a very different nature. It can be, for example, caries, chronic inflammation in the throat, nose, larynx. Higher risk of erysipelas with venous insufficiency or impaired tissue trophism.
Streptococcal colonies, multiplying on the skin, secrete exotoxins. Enzymes of microorganisms, elements of the cell wall can leak into the systemic circulation, due to which one of the signs of the disease "erysipelas" becomes toxinemia, leading to an infectious-toxic syndrome. Possible bacteremia. In the skin, the formation of an immune complex is observed, which over time violates the integrity of the walls of blood vessels.
How to notice?
Indicating the need for treatment, the symptoms of erysipelas include acute deterioration and fever, in which the temperature rises to 40 degrees. The incubation period for some is a few hours, in others it can be up to five days. The symptomatology as a whole indicates a general poisoning of the body, the patient feels weak, his head hurts, shivering, nausea, his body aches. Symptoms of the disease "erysipelas" by the end of the first day or the beginning of the second day of the acute period become the mostexpressed on a local area of the skin - the element where the infection entered the body. This area itches, burns, hurts. Some patients describe the feeling as fullness.
Over time, in addition to the symptoms of the disease described above, erysipelas provokes erythema, swelling of the affected area. This part of the body is hot and painful when touched. The borders are clear, uneven, visually similar to a fire. There is an infiltration roller along the borders.
Pay attention
Pressing on the diseased area causes the erythema to disappear for a few seconds - this is one of the characteristic symptoms of the disease. Erysipelas on the leg, face, body is often accompanied by inflammatory processes in the lymphatic system. This is manifested by compaction of regional nodes, painful sensations near them, as well as a deterioration in mobility. If the disease is accompanied by hemorrhagic syndrome, the patient notes petechiae, bruising. There is hemorrhage.
Erysipelas is a skin disease that is often formed according to an erythematous-bullous scenario. In this case, blisters with a serous substance covering the diseased area become signs. If the scenario is bullous-hemorrhagic, blood joins the serous fluid. Over time, the rash opens up, ulcers appear in their place. In process of recovery these sites are allocated with a pigmentation. Possible scarring.
How to clarify the case?
As doctors say, the clinical picture of various infectious diseases is somewhat similar. erysipelas toobelongs to this class of pathologies, and each specific case requires clarification, otherwise it will not be possible to choose an adequate treatment. To determine the features and formulate a specific diagnosis, it is necessary to examine the patient and refer him to specialized studies.
The first and basic analysis is a laboratory test of blood for changes that caused inflammation in the body. They also take blood for a coagulogram. With erysipelas, failures of hemostasis and impaired fibrinolysis are detected. To clarify the case, it is necessary to do a serological study. The most widely used modern method is PCR. Samples of organic fluids obtained from the patient are checked for titers of antistreptolysin-O.
Types and classification
A complete picture of the disease can be obtained by studying specialized medical reference books, which not only describe the symptoms and features of the disease, but also provide photos. Erysipelas is a disease that can develop in a strictly localized or migratory form. Sometimes a generalized variant or metastases are diagnosed.
The following forms of erysipelas are distinguished by the prevalence of the lesion:
- localized;
- migratory (creeping, wandering);
- common (generalized);
- metastatic
According to the nature of the skin elements, erysipelas can be:
- erythematous;
- erythematous hemorrhagic;
- erythematous bullous;
- bullous hemorrhagic.
The course of the disease"Erysipelas" on the leg, face, body allows you to classify the case as a primary, repeated, relapse. Severity - mild, moderate, severe.
What to do?
You need to see a doctor as soon as you suspect a disease. Erysipelas on the leg or other part of the body should be treated under the supervision of a qualified doctor. In the presence of symptoms similar to those described, you should use the services of a professional for the differential diagnosis of the case. Even if the cause is not in the face, only a professional will be able to determine which treatment method is optimal in a particular case.
After clarifying the diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a course of medication. How to treat the disease? Erysipelas is one of the infectious diseases, therefore, antimicrobial therapy is most effective for its elimination. Most often, the patient is prescribed drugs based on penicillins. Perhaps the use of nitrofuran series, sulfonamides. Sometimes non-hormonal agents are prescribed to stop inflammatory processes. Antihistamines may be used to alleviate the condition and weaken the body's autoimmune response.
Therapy: Appearances and Passwords
Enteroseptol powder is used locally to relieve symptoms. To eliminate local symptoms, you can use an ointment containing erythromycin. In some cases, patients are shown biological stimulants. Popular drugs are Levamisole, Methyluracil. To stimulate the immune system and improve the patient's immune status, maintain the body's strength in the treatment of the disease "erysipelas" (on the leg or in anotherareas of localization) the patient is prescribed multivitamin complexes. In some cases, blood transfusion is indicated.
If this is indicated, the patient is referred for physiotherapy to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Treatment of erysipelas is often practiced with ultraviolet lamps and quartz radiation, UHF and local use of laser devices.
Nuances
Without adequate therapy, a prolonged case can provoke an abscess, phlegmon. Since the disease affects the quality of the vascular wall, the likelihood of blood clots in the veins increases. Bubbles can fester, the likelihood of lymphadenitis increases. In rare cases, without adequate treatment, erysipelas provoked blood poisoning, infectious toxic shock and acute heart failure.
To prevent erysipelas, bicillin prophylaxis is necessary. The course is prescribed by the doctor after getting rid of the first episode of the disease. Primary prevention - careful hygiene, timely treatment of any violations of the integrity of the skin, mucous membranes.
Features of an infectious disease
Erysipelas often manifests itself on the legs, somewhat less localized on the face, body. It is especially likely that streptococcus, having penetrated the skin, will be able to multiply in the body if the immune system is weak, the person is prone to disease or has not yet recovered from a severe pathology or course of treatment. Often, erysipelas strikes against the background of other diseases.
During an acute infectiousthe process of erysipelas provokes an increase in heart rate. If the disease is severe, the patient is delirious. Convulsions are possible. In the absence of adequate treatment, the skin areas on which streptococcal colonies are localized begin to peel off. The shade of the covers is broken.
Forms and their features
- Erythematous erysipelas is a form of disease in which the affected area hurts, turns red, and swells. The area protrudes above the he althy surface of the skin, often has clear boundaries. Looks like a fire.
- Bullous form of erythema with erysipelas on the third day from the onset of the acute form progresses to the formation of vesicles with watery contents. Over time, they dry out, the integrity of the cover is broken.
- The erythematous-bullous scenario is rarely accompanied by a complication in the form of scars in place of the vesicles. This happens only when the condition progresses to the appearance of ulcers.
- Erythematous-hemorrhagic scenario is characterized by hemorrhages in the area of pain.
- Bullous hemorrhagic is a variant when the area is covered with blisters, inside of which the fluid contains blood.
Manifestations and severity
- If the disease is mild, the temperature does not exceed 39 degrees. The patient feels weak. Skin manifestations are relatively minor.
- Moderate level of severity is a rather long infectious process, which is characterized by all the typical signs of erysipelas described above.
- If the pathology develops according to a severe scenario, acute symptoms are accompanied by a violation of the psycho-emotionalstatus.
Relapses are observed if the primary erysipelas has not been completely eliminated, as well as when the human body is influenced by factors that weaken the natural defenses. These include inflammatory foci in the body, infection with pathogenic microbes, fungi. They say about a relapse if the recurrence of erysipelas is observed within two years from the moment of getting rid of the primary focus, while the area of localization coincides.
Over time, erysipelas can cause necrotic foci. There is a possibility of periadenitis. Higher chance of complications with relapse-prone disease.
Medicines and course of treatment: some nuances
Typically, treatment is practiced at home with regular visits to the doctor to monitor the progress of the condition. If the disease is very severe, hospitalization is possible. Outpatient treatment is practiced if the patient is elderly or suffers from concomitant severe he alth disorders, as well as if erysipelas is prone to frequent relapses.
At the stage of fever, it is necessary to drink plenty of warm water and use antipyretic medicines. To improve the general condition, you can take vitamins. The diseased area of the skin is regularly covered with an antimicrobial ointment and fixed with a bandage. Antibiotics are the centerpiece of treatment.
Duration of treatment of erysipelas without complications is 7-10 days. Use orally "Oletetrin" up to six times daily for a quarter of a gram. You can use "Metacycline" three times a day for 0.3 g. The doctor may recommend stopping at "Oleandomycin" or "Erythromycin". Theseantibiotics are used per day in an amount of not more than 2 g. Sometimes, with erysipelas, it is recommended to use Biseptol or Sulfaton. Both drugs are used twice a day, a couple of tablets after a meal.
Options and approaches
If the patient's condition forces the patient to be hospitalized, Benzylpenicillin in the form of a solution for intramuscular injection is usually used as part of a therapeutic cous. Additionally, patients are prescribed non-hormonal agents to stop inflammation. To maintain the strength of the body, it is recommended to take Askorutin. The doctor may prescribe multivitamin complexes or means to stabilize the intestinal microflora.
If the erysipelas is localized on the legs, you can practice local treatment. The doctor cuts the blisters from the edge, treats the focus with Furacilin. Bandages with him will have to be changed daily several times.
At the acute stage of erysipelas, the patient should visit a physiotherapy room for procedures using ultraviolet, UHF. When the acute stage has passed, the diseased areas are treated with ointments, applying bandages.
With erysipelas, the sick leave is closed seven days after the temperature normalizes, for another quarter of the year they are registered with an infectious disease specialist. In case of relapse, it is necessary to use other drugs that are different from those used in the past case. As the situation stabilizes for a period of 6-24 months. the patient will have to receive "Retarpen" or "Bicillin 5" every three weeks.
To activateregenerative local processes, you can use Bepanten, Dermazin ointments.
How to help yourself at home?
The use of folk recipes for the treatment of erysipelas must be agreed with a qualified doctor. When the acute stage is just beginning, it is necessary to use antibiotics - it is simply impossible to cure erysipelas without them, in addition, the risk of complications is too high.
To relieve itching and burning of the diseased area, you can lubricate the area with camphor, aloe juice, plantain. If the skin is very sore, novocaine solution can be added to the juice of the plant. Liquids are mixed in equal proportions. If the erysipelas is accompanied by suppuration, you can apply bandages with Solcoseryl.
What do healers advise?
It is believed that frog caviar can come to the rescue with erysipelas. You need to collect it in the spring in stagnant water. Caviar is spread on gauze in a thin layer and dried in the sun, stored in this form. As needed, the product is soaked in pre-boiled water and used for local treatment of the diseased area. From above, caviar is covered with a clean linen cloth and fixed. It is possible to achieve a complete cure, as experts in traditional medicine say, in five procedures.
Effective against erysipelas is cottage cheese. You need to use a natural farm product, not a store-bought one. Cottage cheese is applied to the diseased areas in a thick layer, and as it dries, it changes to fresh. During the procedure, you must remain calm. No fixation required.
From herbs with erysipelas most oftenrecommend resorting to plantain. The leaves are crushed, mixed with crushed chalk. The finished gruel is applied to the affected areas of the skin, fixed with a gauze bandage.
