ERYSIPELAS

Erysipelas is a superficial infection of the skin in which the symptoms include redness, tenderness and swelling. The initial symptoms are rather similar to flu, but a patch of skin quickly develops the signs described above. Erysipelas is caused by the same sort of bug that often produces sore throats; half a century ago it was an extremely dangerous disorder. However, streptococcus, the bug concerned, can usually be controlled with the aid of penicillin. The bug gets into the skin thorough a cut or abrasion and the symptoms start to appear two to five days later, appearing first on a limb and working their way quite rapidly towards the trunk. A fever commonly occurs with the infection