Erysipeloid is a bacterial skin infection. It occurs almost entirely in persons handling animals (especially hogs), poultry (especially turkeys), fish, shellfish, crabs, meat and by-products such as hides and bones. The infection enters through a cut or scraped area. It most often occurs on the hands or wrists. After one to three days, a violet to reddish-purple, tender, swollen
area appears and spreads slowly. Usually the infection is limited to the skin of the fingers and hand, but it may spread through the lymphatic channels, producing red streaks up the arm, Rarely, the infection reaches the bloodstream. Pain may be severe and is often throbbing or burning in character. The infected person may have a fever and feel poorly.
Antibiotics are effective, but the infection often clears up without treatment in two to four weeks. Death would be quite unusual except in rare, systemic forms.
