Can erysipelas patients be active and move around?

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Whether someone with erysipelas can engage in physical activity depends on the severity and location of the erysipelas. If the erysipelas is on the leg and the condition is severe, it is advisable to rest in bed and avoid standing or moving around. However, if the erysipelas is mild and appears on the face, light activity is permissible. Once diagnosed with erysipelas, it is important to rest, improve nutrition, and actively treat the underlying condition to facilitate recovery. The precautions include the following: rest in bed to avoid fatigue and exposure to cold; and while treating the affected area, consider supportive physical therapies such as ultraviolet light or infrared radiation to accelerate the healing of the skin.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How is erysipelas treated?

Erysipelas is mainly caused by a bacterial infection of the lymphatic system, resulting in lymphangitis, primarily affecting the superficial lymphatics of the skin's dermis. The common pathogen is Group A hemolytic streptococcus. For erysipelas, proactive anti-infection treatment is necessary, typically opting for penicillin-class antibiotics. For patients allergic to penicillin, other types of antibiotics such as cephalosporins or macrolide antibiotics can be considered. If there is significant local swelling and pain, magnesium sulfate can be used for local wet compresses to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine treatments can be considered, such as taking oral medications that clear heat and detoxify.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Erysipelas is caused by what?

Erysipelas is a common skin disease, generally caused by various reasons. Usually, patients with erysipelas have an underlying disease such as oral ulcers, rhinitis, or athlete's foot. Furthermore, erysipelas is caused by an infection of the skin's lymphatic network by hemolytic streptococcus. It is crucial to treat erysipelas promptly because the bacteria often infiltrate the lymphatic vessels, making the treatment more challenging than typical bacterial infections, and it is very prone to recurrence.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Erysipelas is caused by what?

Erysipelas is an acute infectious skin disease caused by Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The bacteria often invade the body through minor skin injuries, causing localized skin redness, swelling, and pain. Some patients also experience systemic symptoms such as fever and headache. Erysipelas commonly occurs on the face and lower legs. Erysipelas on the face is mostly caused by bacterial invasion due to bad habits such as otitis media, dental caries, and nose picking, while erysipelas on the lower legs is often caused by secondary infection from athlete's foot. People with low immune resistance are more prone to erysipelas, so it is crucial to use sensitive antibiotics in adequate amounts early in the treatment.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Can erysipelas recur?

Erysipelas is a disease that can recur. Once erysipelas occurs, it should be taken seriously, especially in people with lowered immunity such as the elderly. If not treated promptly or if the condition is not taken seriously, it can lead to sepsis and endanger life. Frequent recurrences are called chronic recurrent erysipelas. Due to the repeated attacks of erysipelas, local secondary lymphedema occurs, and after elephantiasis forms, it becomes very difficult to completely cure. Therefore, patients infected with erysipelas should seek medical attention in a timely manner, follow the doctor's advice, and should not think that skin diseases are not serious and that merely applying ointment will suffice, as this can delay the condition and lead to serious complications.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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The difference between erysipelas and lymphangitis

Erysipelas and lymphangitis are two different diseases with significant differences. First, erysipelas is a skin disease caused by an infection of streptococcus bacteria. On the other hand, lymphangitis is usually caused by various parasites or microbes, including streptococcus or staphylococcus, and not just streptococcus as in the case of erysipelas. Secondly, the symptoms of erysipelas typically include general body symptoms, accompanied by skin redness and pain. In the case of lymphangitis, there is usually a red streak near a wound, and the color disappears when pressed. Therefore, both the causes and symptoms of erysipelas and lymphangitis are different.