Can erythromycin ointment be used for erysipelas?

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on September 24, 2024
00:00
00:00

The treatment of erysipelas is divided into topical medications and oral medications. When the condition is not very severe, it can be treated with some antibacterial topical medications, including erythromycin ointment. Erythromycin ointment can alleviate the pain and inflammation of redness and swelling. However, if erysipelas progresses to a more severe stage, using only erythromycin ointment is insufficient. It is necessary to use some oral anti-inflammatory medications for treatment, and the treatment course of oral anti-inflammatory medications is generally about two weeks.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
36sec home-news-image

What causes erysipelas?

Erysipelas is an acute inflammation of the skin and reticular lymphatic vessels. The onset of erysipelas is due to hemolytic streptococci invading the skin and mucosal reticular lymphatic vessels through small wounds in the skin mucosa. Erysipelas commonly occurs on the lower limbs and face, progressing rather quickly, with seldom tissue necrosis, and a tendency for recurrent episodes. The local symptoms include patchy erythema, bright red color, lighter in the center, with clear and slightly raised edges.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
33sec home-news-image

What ointment is used for erysipelas?

Erysipelas is a common skin disease caused by an infection of hemolytic streptococcus, primarily infecting the lymphatic vessels. To treat erysipelas, it is recommended to use topical antibiotic ointments. It is important to maintain personal hygiene, avoid spicy and irritating foods, abstain from alcohol and smoking, get plenty of rest, avoid staying up late, and consume more soy products, vegetables, and fruits.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
34sec home-news-image

Erysipelas is caused by what?

The fundamental cause of erysipelas is mainly due to a streptococcal infection of the lymphatic vessels, causing acute non-purulent inflammation. Patients with erysipelas often may have underlying conditions such as athlete's foot, ulcers, or other infectious foci. Erysipelas is prone to develop secondary to ulcers, trauma, or some purulent infections, spreading directly from these primary diseases through the skin, mucous membranes, lymphatic channels, or hematogenous invasion.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
44sec home-news-image

Can erysipelas be incised and drained?

Erysipelas is different from many infectious diseases in that it should not be incised and drained. Clinically, it is contraindicated to perform incision and drainage on erysipelas because it is an inflammatory non-suppurative infection. As it does not suppurate, incision and drainage would not be effective and might even lead to secondary infections, worsening the condition. Therefore, not only is incision and drainage not recommended for erysipelas, but it is also contraindicated. The treatment of erysipelas should focus on anti-inflammatory methods, possibly involving oral or intravenous medication. (Please take medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
54sec home-news-image

What medicine is good to take when erysipelas is almost healed?

It is still necessary to continue taking anti-inflammatory medication even if erysipelas is nearly healed, as erysipelas is an inflammatory reaction caused by bacterial infection of the lymphatic vessels. If treated with anti-inflammatory medication, remember that it's important to complete the full course of treatment. If you stop taking some of the anti-inflammatory medication because the erysipelas seems nearly healed and the full course of treatment is not completed, there's a possibility that the erysipelas may recur, which would be counterproductive. Therefore, even if the erysipelas is nearly healed, it is still necessary to take anti-inflammatory medication. Additionally, apart from taking medication, it is important to eat foods rich in protein and vitamins to aid recovery.