Erysipelas migrans is a term used to describe a skin infection that spreads rapidly. The word is pronounced /ˌɛrɪsɪpələs ˈmaɪɡrənz/ and is spelled with a combination of Greek and Latin roots. "Erysipelas" is derived from the Greek word "erythros" meaning "red" and "pella" meaning "skin". "Migrans" is a Latin word meaning "migrating" or "spreading". The accurate spelling of this medical term is important for proper diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Erysipelas migrans is a medical condition that can be defined as a type of acute bacterial infection that involves the skin and the underlying connective tissues. Also known as migrating erysipelas or erythema migrans, it is characterized by the spreading or migratory nature of the infection.
This condition is primarily caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly known as group A Streptococcus. Erysipelas migrans typically starts as a well-defined, raised, and intensely red lesion on the skin, often accompanied by pain, tenderness, and swelling. It commonly affects the lower limbs, particularly the legs, but can also occur on the face, trunk, or upper limbs.
The infection spreads rapidly through the lymphatic vessels, leading to the characteristic migrating pattern. As the initial lesion expands outward, new areas of redness and inflammation appear nearby, creating a migrating or advancing border. In severe cases, the infection can progress to deeper tissues or even into the bloodstream, causing systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and malaise.
Treatment for erysipelas migrans typically involves administration of antibiotics, usually penicillin-based, or other suitable alternatives depending on individual factors like allergies or resistance patterns. Prompt treatment is important to prevent complications and to control the spread of the infection. Additional measures such as elevation and immobilization of the affected limb, as well as pain relief, may also be recommended to manage accompanying symptoms.
Ambulant e., wandering e., a widely spreading form involving the entire face, or even the surface of the body.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "erysipelas" can be traced back to Greek roots. "Erysipelas" is derived from the Greek words "erythros" meaning "red" and "pelas" meaning "skin or hide". It was coined in reference to the red, inflamed appearance of the skin affected by the disease.
The term "migrans" is also of Latin origin, where it means "migrating" or "moving". When combined with "erysipelas", it suggests a spreading or migrating form of the disease.
Overall, "erysipelas migrans" is a medical term composed of Greek and Latin elements, describing a type of erysipelas that exhibits a migrating pattern.