Systemic corticosteroids and their place in the management of hemorrhagic erysipelas

BACKGROUND: Haemorrhagic erysipelas is a recently described clinical condition. AIM: Our aim is to study the clinical and evolutive particularities of haemorrhagic erysipelas treated with adjuvant corticotherapy. METHODS: It's a retrospective study of 6 cases of erysipelas of the lower limbs with serious local signs (purpura, bullae, petechia). RESULTS: Surgical examination as well as evaluation of muscular enzymes blood level were achieved in all cases. Adequate antibiotherapy and rapidly degressive systemic corticosteroids (0.5 mg/Kg daily) were prescribed. Fever, pain and cutaneous signs regressed rapidly. Haemorrhagic erysipelas is different from common erysipelas by the presence of serious local signs (bullae, purpura), by its bad response to adequate antibiotics and by its response to systemic steroids.