Erysipelas is an acute bacterial skin infection that affects the upper layers of the skin and nearby lymphatic vessels, most commonly caused by Streptococcus bacteria. It typically presents as a bright red, swollen, warm, and sharply defined area of skin, often on the face or legs, and may be accompanied by fever, chills, and general malaise. The affected area can be painful and may spread rapidly if untreated. Risk factors include skin injuries, ulcers, fungal infections between the toes, lymphedema, and weakened immunity. Diagnosis is usually clinical, and treatment involves prompt antibiotic therapy to prevent complications such as abscess formation or spread of infection to deeper tissues or the bloodstream.