Erysipeloid

Erysipeloid refers to the inflammation or swelling of the skin caused due to bacteria – Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (insidiosa), which is mostly found in birds, fish, shellfish and mammals. The organism causes swine erysipelas and other diseases among animals. When there is a direct contact between traumatized human skin and meat infected with Erhusiopathiae, it leads to the development of erysipeloid. People working with these animals like butchers or farmers often get affected by erysipeloid, apart from homemakers, cooks and anglers. Major symptoms of this condition include tenderness, warmth and redness on the skin. An ideal treatment would be oral antibiotics like penicillin. Erysipeloid does not spread generally and gets better mostly on its own.