Erysipelas of the lower leg - signs, causes and treatment

Erysipelas or "erysipelas" is an infectious disease caused by streptococci. It is characterized by the defeat of the skin and subcutaneous tissue with the formation of a focus of inflammation. It is most often localized in the legs, thighs, sometimes on the chest, in the genital area, very rarely on the face.

The word "mug" itself came from the beautiful word "rose". This similarity is due to the fact that the focus of inflammation has a crimson-red color, and the existing puffiness somewhat resembles the petals of the flower. The disease occurs suddenly and affects not only the skin, but the whole body as a whole.

Symptoms: Erysipelatous inflammation of the tibia at the initial stage can be determined by the presence of sudden itching in the lesion, without causative sweating. Then there are pain, swelling, redness of the affected area, an increase in temperature to 39 °. In the affected shin there are disorders of lymph circulation, which leads to "elephantiasis" of the foot and further disability of the patient. With a severe form of the disease, purulent inflammation can develop , often turning into gangrene.

Factors of infection: The cause of such a dangerous disease as erysipelas is the penetration of the pathogen of the streptococcus through the various lesions (abrasions, scratches, etc.).

Some people, though not sick with "erysipelas", but are carriers of streptococcus bacteria. The development of the disease requires the presence of concomitant diseases and certain specific factors:

- mechanical disorders of the skin (scratches, cracks, abrasions, intertrigo, scrapes);

- exposure to ultraviolet rays;

- temperature influence (overheating, overcooling);

- stress;

- injuries, bruises;

- predisposing leg diseases (thrombophlebitis, varicose disorders, trophic ulcers, inflammation of the lymph, foot fungus);

- diabetes;

- Alcoholism.

Diagnosis: Quite often erysipelatous inflammation of the lower leg is confused with other infectious and vascular diseases: thrombophlebitis, dermatitis, shingles, eczema and others. Diagnosis for the presence of the disease is based on a visual assessment of the patient's general condition. Also, for an accurate diagnosis, a general and bacteriological blood test is prescribed.

Treatment: Due to the fact that erysipelas are difficult to treat and can move into a more complex form, and also arise repeatedly, treatment should be performed in a hospital environment under the strict supervision of a doctor. Home methods of treatment does not exist.

The most effective stage in the treatment of the disease is antibiotic therapy. In general, preparations of the penicillin group are prescribed. Before the appointment, the patient must be tested for bacterial resistance.

In addition to antibiotic treatment, physiotherapy is used: UHF (high frequency ultrasound), ultraviolet irradiation (UV), laser therapy in the infrared range, treatment with weak discharges of electric current.

For those patients whose erysipelatous inflammation of the lower leg is periodic in inflammation, antibiotics of delayed (prolonged) action exist. These drugs block the growth of streptococcus bacteria in the body. Take them should be a long time, from month to year.

Prevention: For prevention purposes, the following rules should be adhered to:

- Do not subject the body to sudden changes in temperature, do not overheat and do not overcool;

- in time to treat any infectious focus in the body (tonsillitis, ulcers, sinusitis and others);

- timely eliminate fungal infections;

- to visit public pools, baths and saunas only in specialized footwear; also you can not wear someone else's shoes, since erysipelas are contagious;

- observe the rules of individual hygiene;

- to increase immunity.