Is erysipelas contagious - Erysipelas vs. Cellulitis

What is Erysipelas

 Erysipelas is caused by a virulent strain of streptococci affecting the skin and the tissues immediately beneath it. It is characterized by redness, discoloration, small blisters, and swelling, most commonly attacking the face, and accompanied by high fever and other manifestations of acute illness. The skin shows a glazed appearance, and the affected area has a combined itching and burning sensation and shows a clearly defined margin.

The swollen area feels firm and hot to the touch. There may be only a small patch of affected skin at first, but it tends to spread in all directions from the original site.The victim of erysipelas feels extremely ill, with marked feeling of lassitude, chills, headache, vomiting, joint and back pains, and a rapidly rising fever, which may go even higher than 104 0 F.

He is likely to have an unusually rapid pulse. In severe cases, delirium is common. In children, vomiting and
convulsions often occur. The disease is serious, possibly even proving fatal in aged people, in babies, and in
women who have recently given birth. It is likely to cause abortion in
pregnant women.

The serious nature of erysipelas makes it impossible for a layman to administer effective remedies or treatments. Prompt attention by a physician is important, but the suggestions outlined below may be
helpful in delaying the multiplication of germs and slowing the progress of the disease until a physician can begin treatment.

At present, penicillin and wide-spectrum antibiotics are the most successful known remedies, but there may be other treatments or remedies that the individual physician has found valuable.

Erysipelas vs. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a spreading, inflammatory infection, somewhat similar to erysipelas but usually less acute. It most commonly affects the skin, but it usually involves deeper structures as well. It is often found elsewhere than on the face, and the  affected skin area does not show a distinct border.

Is erysipelas contagious - Erysipelas vs. Cellulitis

Erysipelas home remedies

1. Call a physician at once, but until he comes keep the patient in bed and isolated from all except the
person caring for him.

2. Give him a liquid diet. See that he takes at least three quarts (liters) of water or other fluids a day.

3. Keep the affected skin areas covered with ice bags or ice-cold compresses (twenty minutes on
and ten minutes off) until a physician takes charge of the treatment.

4. Cold compresses to the head are useful in relieving the headache, which is frequently distressing.

5. Remember that erysipelas is contagious. The person nursing the patient must wear rubber gloves,
and should never come in contact with or care for children or other sick persons at the same time. Ice
bags applied to the patient should be disinfected by immersion for five minutes in a solution of lysol-one teaspoonful to the pint (450 c.c.) of water. Cloths used for compresses should be soaked in the
same solution for ten minutes before being laundered.