Erysipelas


Is erysipelas ointment generally available in pharmacies?
After suffering from erysipelas, the ointments chosen are generally available in pharmacies. Erysipelas is a bacterial infectious skin disease. Usually, some topical anti-inflammatory ointments can be chosen. These ointments are relatively common, so they are generally available in pharmacies. Therefore, after suffering from erysipelas, it is important to pay attention to personal hygiene, avoid scratching the affected area with hands to prevent further bacterial infections of the skin, and maintain a light diet.


What should be paid attention to in the diet for erysipelas?
Erysipelas is a skin condition that definitely requires attention to diet after being diagnosed. Firstly, it is recommended for patients suffering from erysipelas to consume more vegetables and fruits, including apples, pears, grapes, bananas, etc. Additionally, it is advised to avoid certain foods such as seafood, mangoes, beef, lamb, and other stimulative substances. Lastly, it is crucial to avoid overly spicy foods, smoking, and drinking alcohol.


How to quickly reduce swelling from erysipelas?
Erysipelas, this skin disease especially prone to cause symptoms such as swelling of both lower limbs. To quickly reduce swelling, it is recommended to first use some anti-inflammatory drugs for wet compresses. Secondly, it is advised to elevate the affected limbs during treatment to help reduce swelling. Finally, avoid eating foods that may cause edema, and abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol during treatment.


What causes erysipelas to blister?
Erysipelas symptoms with skin peeling are likely due to pathogens entering the skin, causing complications such as eczema. Moreover, because eczema tends to itch, patients often scratch, causing skin damage. Skin damage and injuries might lead to symptoms of skin peeling. Therefore, it is crucial to actively cooperate with treatment after contracting erysipelas and not to delay the condition.


What is the incubation period for erysipelas?
Erysipelas has an incubation period, which is three to five days for most people, though it can be just a few hours for a few individuals. Usually, during the incubation period, which is before the onset of the disease, patients often experience some general symptoms such as fever and headaches. Therefore, if symptoms of the incubation period appear, it is important for the patient and their family to take them seriously, actively provide some treatment and management, and during the treatment period, it is necessary to rest, avoid overexertion, and prevent skin abrasions or injuries.


The fastest method to treat erysipelas
The fastest and most effective method for the treatment of erysipelas is systemic medication. After a penicillin skin test, administer intravenous penicillin antibiotics. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, switch to clindamycin injections for intravenous infusion. The treatment course is around 10-14 days, and requires bed rest with elevation of the lower limbs. Examine whether the primary lesions are combined with tinea faciei or tinea pedis, avoid picking the nose and feet, which can cause skin trauma and other inducement factors, and enhance skin cleanliness. Apply magnesium sulfate injection solution externally to the affected area, and treat the symptoms of the primary lesions, such as applying ketoconazole cream to the lesions caused by tinea pedis. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)


How many days does it take for penicillin to take effect on erysipelas?
Erysipelas is treated with penicillin, generally requiring about ten days to take effect, and medication should not be discontinued even after ten days. This is because this period is just when the drug starts to work and relieve the disease; it still requires about another seven days of usage to completely fight the bacteria and avoid the possibility of recurrence. Erysipelas has a high recurrence rate, so it is crucial to ensure thorough treatment.


What Chinese medicine is used for erysipelas?
Erysipelas is mostly caused by bacterial infection of the lymphatic vessels. In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, treatment can involve the use of herbs that disperse wind, clear heat, and detoxify; herbs that clear heat, promote diuresis, and detoxify; and herbs that cool the blood, detoxify, clear the heart, and open the orifices. During the treatment of erysipelas, in addition to Chinese medicine, it is suggested to combine some Western medical treatments, which can lead to faster improvement. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)


What medicine is good to take when erysipelas is almost healed?
It is still necessary to continue taking anti-inflammatory medication even if erysipelas is nearly healed, as erysipelas is an inflammatory reaction caused by bacterial infection of the lymphatic vessels. If treated with anti-inflammatory medication, remember that it's important to complete the full course of treatment. If you stop taking some of the anti-inflammatory medication because the erysipelas seems nearly healed and the full course of treatment is not completed, there's a possibility that the erysipelas may recur, which would be counterproductive. Therefore, even if the erysipelas is nearly healed, it is still necessary to take anti-inflammatory medication. Additionally, apart from taking medication, it is important to eat foods rich in protein and vitamins to aid recovery.


What should I do if erysipelas recurs?
The likelihood of erysipelas relapse is very high. If erysipelas recurs, it indicates that there is another bacterial infection and the body's immune system is weak. Therefore, it is recommended to treat with anti-inflammatory drugs, which can be administered either by intravenous infusion or orally. At the same time, it is essential to enhance one's immunity. During the period of erysipelas illness, it is important to get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and eat nutritious foods.