Treatment for erysipelas includes administration of antibiotics by oral route, resting and elevation of affected limb, provided the infection is not at a more advanced stage.
The use of antibiotics is maintained for at least two weeks, to avoid relapses. After 3 or 4 days of treatment, the patient will have relief of symptoms.
At home, the patient can also apply cold compresses to help control inflammation, relieve pain and swelling in the legs.
Some of the antibiotics used to treat erysipelas:
- Benzathine or procaine penicillin;
- Amoxicillin;
- Oxacillin;
- Vancomycin;
- Erythromycin.
Patients who have leg wounds or develop a more severe form of the disease, such as erisipela bullosa, need to be treated indefinitely due to the risk of recurrent erysipelas.
See more about what is erysipelas and what are the symptoms?
Treatment of erysipelas should be prescribed and monitored by the family doctor, general practitioner, or infectious.
