Blistering erysipelas in a black patient

Abstract

Blistering erysipelas bullosa constitutes a rare and severe variant of erysipelas, which is rarely reported in the medical literature. It is an acute inflammation of the epidermis and superficial lymphatics. The diagnosis is usually clinical. We report the case of blistering erysipelas of the lower limb complicated by sepsis in a young immunocompetent obese female. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case being reported from sub-Saharan Africa. We recommend a high index of suspicion of this rare disease in a patient with suspected skin lesions and predisposing factors.

Keywords

• black patient
• blistering erysipelas
• insect bite
• lower-limb erysipelas
• obesity