Erysipelas and frequency therapy

**Lexicon entry: Erysipelas** **Definition:** Erysipelas, medically known as erysipelas, is an acute, bacterial skin infection caused by streptococci. It is characterised by a sharply defined, painful redness and of the skin, often accompanied by fever and a general feeling of illness. **Causes:** Erysipelas is mainly caused by group A streptococci, which penetrate through small injuries or cracks in the skin. Risk factors for the development of erysipelas are: - Skin injuries or diseases such as eczema or fungal infections - Lymphoedema or chronic venous insufficiency - Weakened immune system - Diabetes mellitus **Symptoms:** - Sudden, sharply defined reddening of the skin, often on the face or legs - and overheating of the affected area - Pain or burning - Fever and chills - General feeling of illness and fatigue - In severe cases, blisters or bleeding may occur under the skin **Diagnosis:** The diagnosis is usually made by physical examination and medical history. In some cases, blood tests or a culture of the affected skin area may be performed to identify the pathogen. **Treatment:** - **Antibiotics:** Penicillin is the drug of choice for the treatment of erysipelas. Alternative antibiotics such as erythromycin can be used if you are allergic to penicillin. - **Painkillers:** To relieve pain and fever. - **Rest and elevation:** Of the affected area to reduce . - **Treatment of underlying conditions:** such as lymphoedema or skin conditions to reduce the risk of recurrence. **Prevention:** - Good skin care and hygiene to avoid skin injuries. - Treatment of skin conditions and infections that may increase the risk of erysipelas. - Regular medical check-ups if at risk Regular medical check-ups for people at risk in order to be able to intervene at an early stage. **Worth knowing:** - Erysipelas can occur at any age, but is more common in older adults. - If left untreated, the infection can lead to complications such as abscesses, lymph node inflammation or spread of the infection to deeper tissue layers. **Research:** Research on erysipelas focuses on improving diagnosis and treatment methods, developing vaccines against streptococci and understanding the mechanisms that lead to recurrent infections.