aka st Anthony’s fire

superficial cellulitis: upper dermis and subcut lymphatics

strep, coag -ve: doesnt coag/clot itself in one area → wide spread (sepsis, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, erysipelas)

Aetiology

• group A beta haemolytic strep (strep pyogenes)
• rarely other organisms

Risk factors

• PHx
• skin breaks (insect bites, ulcers, athletes foot etc)
• venous disease
• immune deficiency

Clinical Features

• well demarcated, raised border
• bright red, firm and swollen