Erysipelas on foot - treatment and prophylaxis

Even in modern conditions, an erypsipelas, whose treatment is impossible without the appointment of effective and full-fledged complex therapy with the mandatory prescription of antibacterial drugs of a wide spectrum of action, is quite a dangerous disease. That is why when you have the first symptoms, you must always seek qualified medical help.

Causes of the disease and typical localization sites

The cause of this disease is the introduction into the skin of hemolytic streptococcus group A - the same microorganism, which causes the development of angina and rheumatism and scarlet fever. Even after recovery from these infections, the body can not get rid of the pathogen, and the weakening of the protective forces leads to the development of erysipelas - in case of accidental injuries, scratches the pathogen enters the skin, most often the infection occurs during autoinfection and much less frequently through contact and everyday . In principle, an inflammatory focus with well-defined edges can be localized in virtually any part of the skin, but it is precisely with the appearance of bright red foci of inflammation on the face or extremities that the patient is diagnosed with erysipelas. Treatment in any form and localization of the disease should appoint a qualified doctor - attempts to self-treatment and referrals to specialists of "non-traditional" medicine often lead to the development of severe forms of the disease or the frequent occurrence of relapse.

Treatment program

The erysipelas is a disease, the treatment of which should begin after examination of a qualified dermatologist, surgeon and infectious disease specialist. In some cases, the disease may be similar in clinical manifestations to symptoms of thrombophlebitis phlegmon, eczema, atopic dermatitis and even cutaneous anthrax. It is compulsory to conduct a full list of diagnostic studies; It is important to remember that the erysipelas on the leg, the treatment of which should be prescribed as soon as possible, can be complicated by the development of lymphangitis and lymphadenitis, therefore it is impossible to help the patient without the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and antiseptics.

In each specific case, therapy is appointed taking into account the localization of inflammatory foci, the form of the disease and the state of the patient's body as a whole (the presence of concomitant diseases). In the event that the focus of inflammation is located on the limbs - erysipelas on the leg, treatment of the disease can be carried out on an outpatient basis. With a mild course of the disease, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics of the penicillin group or macrolides inwards, whereas with a moderate and severe erysipelas, the patient must be hospitalized in a hospital, surgical or infectious department. Before prescribing antibiotics, it is necessary to carry out a test for individual intolerance to antibacterial drugs, otherwise there is a risk that the patient will get severe allergic diseases. In a hospital, antibiotics are administered intramuscularly or, very rarely, intravenously, and the duration of treatment is determined by the patient's condition.

The erysipelas on the leg, the treatment of which brings a noticeable effect within a few hours, must necessarily include the appointment of local treatment procedures - such treatment must necessarily be performed in the bullous form of the disease. In this case, surgical treatment of the wound with opening the blisters and applying bandages with antiseptic solutions is performed. During the day, these dressings can be repeated several times - the need for additional dressings usually occurs on a 2-3 day intensive treatment.

As a symptomatic therapy for the treatment of erysipelas, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamins can be used to lower the temperature and normalize the general condition, immunomodulators to stimulate the body's immune system, which can help prevent the development of relapses and recurrent diseases.