Do I Have Erysipeloid?

Do you have bright red to purple lesions with smooth, shiny surfaces on your fingers or hands?

Do you have clearly defined lesions with sharp or curvaceous borders?

Do you have swelling of the affected area?

Are you lesions warm and tender?

Do you have a throbbing pain with itching or burning sensation in the affected area?

Do you have fluid-filled blisters on the affected area?

Do you feel pain when pressure is applied o the affected area?

Do your lesions slowly expand over time?

Do you have a mild fever, chills and malaise?

Do you have swollen lymph nodes?

Have you had any kind of hand or finger injury recently?

Does your work involves direct contact with animals or meet (farmers; animal breeders, and veterinarians; slaughterhouse workers and butchers; fishermen; chefs and others involved in food preparation; and grocery store workers who handle fresh seafood, poultry or meat)?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have erysipeloid. Erysipeloid is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria called Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Bacteria enter your skin through small cuts or scratches. The infection usually affects the fingers and hands, but any exposed part of the body with a crack on the skin can also be infected. Erysipeloid usually affects people who are in direct contact with the meat of infected animals, fish, poultry and shellfish. Farmers, fishermen, cooks, butchers, and veterinarians are at high risk of getting erysipeloid. The infection can affect more than one finger, but usually it does not spread beyond the wrist.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have erysipeloid. Erysipeloid is a bacterial skin infection caused by bacteria called Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae that can usually be found in mammals, birds, fish and shellfish. There are three forms of erysipeloid: localized cutaneous erysipeloid, diffuse cutaneous erysipeloid, and systemic erysipeloid. The most common form is a localized cutaneous erysipeloid. This is a mild, self-limiting disease that affects your fingers and hands. Symptoms will appear within a week after the bacteria enters your skin. Diagnosis is based on your symptoms, physical examination, skin biopsy and blood tests (to check if the infection has spread).

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have erysipeloid. Erysipeloid is an acute skin infection caused by bacteria called Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which has long been known to cause infections in animals and humans. Erysipeloid is the result of direct contact between injured human skin and infected meat. It is considered to be an occupational disease. Erysipeloid may go away without treatment within 2 to 4 weeks, but your doctor may recommend antibiotics to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of the infection spreading. Rarely, the infection can spread to other organs such as the heart, brain, joints and lungs causing serious complications.