Prognosis
The disease prognosis includes:

Spread of infection to other areas of body can occur through the bloodstream (bacteremia), including septic arthritis. Glomerulonephritis can follow an episode of streptococcal erysipelas or other skin infection, but not rheumatic fever. Recurrence of infection: Erysipelas can recur in 18–30% of cases even after antibiotic treatment. A chronic state of recurrent erysipelas infections can occur with several predisposing factors including alcoholism, diabetes, and athletes foot. Another predisposing factor is chronic cutaneous edema, such as can in turn be caused by venous insufficiency or heart failure. Lymphatic damage
Necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as "flesh-eating" bacterial infection, is a potentially deadly exacerbation of the infection if it spreads to deeper tissue. Epidemiology
There is currently no validated recent data on the worldwide incidence of erysipelas. From 2004 to 2005, UK hospitals reported 69,576 cases of cellulitis and 516 cases of erysipelas. One book stated that several studies have placed the prevalence rate between one and 250 in every 10,000 people. The development of antibiotics, as well as increased sanitation standards, has contributed to the decreased rate of incidence. Erysipelas caused systemic illness in up to 40% of cases reported by UK hospitals and 29% of people had recurrent episodes within three years. Anyone can be infected, although incidence rates are higher in infants and elderly. Several studies also reported a higher incidence rate in women.
Four out of five cases occur on the legs, although historically the face was a more frequent site.Risk factors for developing the disease include
Arteriovenous fistula
Chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, athletes foot, and eczema
Excising the saphenous vein
Immune deficiency or compromise, such as
Diabetes
Alcoholism
Obesity
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
In newborns, exposure of the umbilical cord and vaccination site injury
Issues in lymph or blood circulation
Leg ulcers
Lymphatic edema
Lymphatic obstruction
Lymphoedema
Nasopharyngeal infection
Nephrotic syndrome
Pregnancy
Previous episode(s) of erysipelas
Toe web intertrigo
Traumatic wounds
Venous insufficiency or disease

Preventative measures
Individuals can take preventative steps to increase the chance they do not catch the disease. Properly cleaning and covering wounds is important for people battling an open wound. Effectively treating athletes foot or eczema if they were the cause for the initial infection will decrease the chance of the infection occurring again. People with diabetes should pay attention to maintaining good foot hygiene. It is also important to follow up with doctors to make sure the disease has not come back or spread. About one-third of people who have had erysipelas will be infected again within three years. Rigorous antibiotics may be needed in the case of recurrent bacterial skin infections. Notable cases
History
It was historically known as St. Anthonys fire. Citations


== External links ==