Is erysipelas hereditary?

The occurrence of erysipelas is caused by many factors, which usually cause patients to develop contact dermatitis, honeycomb rash, angioedema, and may even cause local skin damage. Erysipelas is not hereditary, but it may be contagious because these diseases emitted by the skin are bacterial and can be transmitted to other people.

Pathological etiology

The disease is caused by invasion of group A type B hemolytic streptococci. The main triggering factors are skin or mucous membrane abrasions or other minor trauma, and it can also be caused by bloodstream infection. It often occurs secondary to rhinitis, oral mucosal and dental infection lesions. It can be triggered by tinea pedis, leg ulcers, itchy skin diseases, vaccination, radiation damage, skin cracks, or slight friction, scratching and minor trauma. Unclean wounds are more susceptible to infection. Some wounds may be so small that they are difficult to detect. For example, facial erysipelas may be caused by small scratches in the nasal cavity. Recurrent erysipelas is caused by bacteria lurking in the lymphatic vessels, and relapses may occur when the body's resistance is reduced.

Disease diagnosis

It should be differentiated from the following diseases:

1. Contact dermatitis There is a clear history of contact with irritants and allergic substances. The skin lesions occur at the contact site with clear boundaries and obvious itching. The patient has no systemic symptoms.

2. Cellulitis is an acute inflammation caused by bacteria invading the subcutaneous tissue. The inflammation is deeply infiltrated and may cause deep suppuration, redness and swelling, and unclear boundaries. The redness and swelling are most obvious in the center of the inflammation. Pus and necrotic tissue can be discharged after rupture.

3. Angioedema: The onset and disappearance are both relatively fast, the local flushing is not obvious, there is no obvious edema, the subjective symptoms are relatively mild, and there are no systemic symptoms.

4. Ringworm rash Ringworm rash occurring on the lower legs is often erythematous with no obvious edema. The symptoms will disappear once the tinea pedis symptoms are alleviated or cured.

5. Erysipelas: There is a history of injury during contact with livestock, fish or slaughtering. The lesions mostly occur on the hands and are purple-red in color. They do not suppurate and are not prone to blisters. There are often no obvious systemic symptoms. Culture and inoculation tests of Erysipelas bacteria are positive.