1. An acute bacterial skin infection characterized by redness, swelling, and warmth, typically caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.
Usage: Medical term; Also called St. Anthony's fire in historical contexts

Examples

• The patient was diagnosed with erysipelas after developing a bright red rash on her face.
• Erysipelas typically affects the face, legs, or arms and spreads rapidly if left untreated.
• Antibiotics are the standard treatment for erysipelas infections.
• The doctor recognized the characteristic raised, sharply demarcated borders of erysipelas.
• Erysipelas can cause fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes in addition to skin symptoms.