
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Erysipelas physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Erysipelas manifests with a characteristic rash, localized on the epidermis. Signs include erythema, edema, bullae, vesicles, and blebs. It usually manifests on the legs, but can also be found on the face, torso, hands, feet, and toes. The patient may also be ill-appearing if there is presence of systemic illness, such as fever, chills, or vomiting.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Appearance of the Patient
The patient may be ill-appearing if systemic illness such as fever, chills, or vomiting is present.[1]
Vital signs
Fever may be present in erysipelas patients.
Skin
Erysipelas manifests with a characteristic rash, localized on the epidermis, with the following presentation:[2]
- Erythema
- Edema
- Sharp, demarcated edges between inflamed and normal tissue
- Bullae
- Vesicles[3]
- Blebs[4]
Extremities
Erysipelas is most commonly found in the leg.[5]
- Secondarily, it is found on the face, as well as torso, toes, feet, and hands.[6]
Examples of Physical Examination Findings for Erysipelas
Examples of Physical Examination Findings for Erysipelas
Extremities
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
Trunk
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
Face
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
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Erysipelas. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[7]
References
References
- β {{cite journal |vauthors=Inghammar M, Rasmussen M, Linder A |title=Recurrent erysipelas–risk factors and clinical presentation |journal=BMC Infect. Dis. |volume=14 |issue= |pages=270 |year=2014 |pmid=24884840 |pmc=4033615 |doi=10.1186
- β BlΓ€ckberg A, Trell K, Rasmussen M (2015). “Erysipelas, a large retrospective study of aetiology and clinical presentation”. BMC Infect. Dis. 15: 402. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1134-2. PMCΒ 4590694. PMIDΒ 26424182.
- β Chong FY, Thirumoorthy T (2008). “Blistering erysipelas: not a rare entity”. Singapore Med J. 49 (10): 809β13. PMIDΒ 18946616.
- β Ferretti JJ, Stevens DL, Fischetti VA, Stevens DL, Bryant AE. PMIDΒ 26866211. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - β Bernard P, Chosidow O, Vaillant L (2002). “Oral pristinamycin versus standard penicillin regimen to treat erysipelas in adults: randomised, non-inferiority, open trial”. BMJ. 325 (7369): 864. PMCΒ 129632. PMIDΒ 12386036.
- β Krasagakis K, Samonis G, Maniatakis P, Georgala S, Tosca A (2006). “Bullous erysipelas: clinical presentation, staphylococcal involvement and methicillin resistance”. Dermatology (Basel). 212 (1): 31β5. doi:10.1159/000089019. PMIDΒ 16319471.
- β 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 7.34 7.35 7.36 “Dermatology Atlas”.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S., Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

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