Etymed
erysipelas
Definition
a bacterial skin infection characterized by red, swollen, and painful skin lesions
Clinical context
A 65-year-old diabetic patient presents to the emergency department with a rapidly spreading red rash on his left leg that started after he stepped on a rusty nail. The lesion is warm, tender, and has a well-demarcated, raised border with central clearing. His temperature is 102°F and he appears systemically unwell. The diagnosis is erysipelas secondary to a minor skin trauma.
Mnemonic
Erysipelas = Eruptions with Redness, Swelling, and Pain - 'Erythema' + 'S' for Swelling + 'P' for Pain