Erysipelas: Therapy

General measures

  • Bed rest
  • Elevate, immobilize and cool affected extremity
  • In facial serysipelas prohibition of speech and soft food.
  • Hospitalization:
    • Severe courses (blistering (erysipelas vesiculosum et bullosum) and bullous-hemorrhagic (blistering-bleeding) erysipelas, phlegmonous (“spreading diffusely”) or necrotizing (“associated with local tissue death (necrosis)”).
    • Localization in the face (cave cerebral venous thrombosis!) → Anticoagulation (inhibition of blood clotting) required!
    • Concomitant thrombophlebitis (acute thrombosis and inflammation of superficial veins).
    • Septic shock
    • Surgical necrosis ablation; sanitation of ports of entry, e.g., antifungals (antifungal agents).
    • Patients with immunodeficiency

Operative therapy

  • Remediation of the port of entry, if necessary