Uncommon

Cellulitis and Erysipelas

Introduction

Cellulitis1 is an acute, spreading, subcutaneous, bacterial infection causing areas of hot, red, tender skin. The organism enters through a small abrasion or split in the skin and then spreads.

Erysipelas is a superficial form of cellulitis.

Epidemiology

Both are more prevalent in patients with diabetes or chronic lymphedema. While cellulitis and erysipelas are not common vulvar problems, they need to be considered in patients with extensive vulvar dermatitis or dermatosis that is secondarily infected.

Etiology

Group A ß-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) and Staphylococcus aureus are the organisms most likely to be found in cellulitis. Almost all erysipelas is caused by Group A beta hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus pyognenes).

Cellulitis and Erysipelas

With repeated infection in diseases such as hidradenitis suppurativa, Crohn disease, or repeatedly infected lichen simplex chronicus, lymphatic drainage may be significantly compromised. There is always a degree of residual lymphedema predisposing to recurrent episodes of cellulitis.

Symptoms and clinical features

Cellulitis can be subtle when it involves the vulva, with only slight erythema, tenderness, soreness and a mild fever.

Edema from Cellulitis

If involvement is extensive, there may be intense tenderness, fever, and malaise.

Cellulitis (primary or superimposed on already existing edema)

The labia may be red and warm or hot. In the perineum, sharply demarcated, red, indurated, plaques may occur and gradually spread. In severe cases, there are sometimes bullae and erosions.

Edema, cellulitis (primary or secondary)

Erysipelas has an obvious margin that is raised and sharply demarcated from normal skin. It is painful. Fever and malaise may occur.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is clinical. Culture helps in only 25% of the cases.

Pathology/Laboratory Findings

Biopsy of the leading edge of inflammation can identify the pathogen only 20% of the time, but may be useful to rule out dermatosis.

Differential diagnosis

Contact dermatitis, urticaria, fixed drug eruption, and herpes zoster.

Treatment/management

The following drugs are recommended:

  • Cloxacillin 0.5 to 1 g orally every 6 hours x 7 to 10 days
  • Erythromycin 500 g orally every 6 hours x 7 to 10 days
  • For chronic recurrent disease, long-term penicillin (penicillin V potassium 300 to 500 mg orally four times a day for weeks, tapering to one dose daily over 3 to 6 months) is prescribed.

For associated lymphedema, see the section on vulvar lymphedema.

See Methicillin resistant Staph aureus document for information on this topic.

References

  1. Fisher BK and Margesson LJ. Genital Skin Disorders: diagnosis and treatment. Mosby, 1998. 140-141.