Quality & safety
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Wound dandruff
What is erysipelas?
Wound erysipelas (or erysipelas) is a serious bacterial infectious disease of the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue. The infection settles in several layers of the skin and causes you to develop red skin. Wound erysipelas is most common on the legs. It is usually accompanied by fever, pain and an overall feeling of being sick.
Causes & symptoms of hives
Wound rash (erysipelas) is caused by bacteria, usually staphylococcus or streptococcus. The bacteria enter the body through a wound on the skin. This causes the body to become infected. Wound infection is not always directly around the wound. All kinds of wounds can be the cause, such as:
- a pimple
- an abrasion
- a burn
- a surgical wound
- a gap
- an eczema spot
- an open leg
- A fungus (swimmer's eczema).
With facial erysipelas, the bacteria can also come from the ears, nose or sinuses (nasal sinus, frontal sinus).
Wound dandruff can be recognized by red spots on the skin. Often these feel thick and painful. There is usually a high fever and general malaise.
Other symptoms may include:
- Subcutaneous inflammation leading to scarring
- Pain
- (Blood) blisters
- (High) fever
- Red spots
Are you suffering from the above symptoms. Make an appointment with one of our dermatologists
Treatment of erysipelas
There are a number of things you can do yourself for erysipelas:
- Try to find out how the bacteria got into the skin. Often these wounds are caused by a fungal infection. A fungal infection is treated with an anti-fungal cream.
- If the edema or lymphedema remains in your legs wear a bandage or elastic stocking.
- After healing leg erysipelas, keep a close eye on the skin between the toes. Dry yourself well after showering and maintain good body hygiene. Fungal infections tend to come back often. To prevent erysipelas, treat the fungal spot with an anti-fungal cream.
- Being overweight increases the chance of recurrence. In addition, there is a greater chance that erysipelas will become more severe. Therefore, losing weight can help reduce the risk of this in the future.
- Wound dandruff can itch, however, do not scratch it. You will disrupt the healing process. In addition, erysipelas is contagious it is not wise to touch the wound with your hands.
Contact your physician in case of:
- Extension of redness
- High fever
- Enormous pain.
Is erysipelas contagious?
Wound dandruff is contagious, but the chances of someone else also getting hives are very small. Lupus is caused by a bacterium that is common and not directly contagious. Persons with low resistance or who are sensitive to the bacteria have a higher risk. If you have been in contact with the inflamed skin disinfect your hands.
Who is at risk for erysipelas?
Usually, erysipelas is a one-time event. Some groups have a higher risk of the erysipelas recurring.
- People with lymphedema who thereby have a wound that allows the bacteria present on the skin to enter. For example, slightly damaged skin from eczema or a fungal infection.
- Obese people
- People with reduced blood flow in the leg.
Want to learn more about treatment options for erysipelas at Bergman Clinics? If so, please contact us. You can make an appointment upon referral from your primary care physician.
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