American Research Journal of Dermatology

 Penile erysipelas is rarely described and not well characterized. Therefore we aim to describe the clinical characteristics, and risk factors of this erysipelas type. Methods: a retrospective study of all clinically diagnosed cases of penile erysipelas during 18 years. For each patient, epidemiologic, clinical and therapeutic profiles were reported. Results: fourteen cases of penile erysipelas were diagnosed (0.67% of all erysipelas patients). Mean age was 49 years. All patients had erythema, edema and pain in the penile region. Scrotal involvement was seen in 3 cases. Only one patient had phlyctenular lesions. The inguinal lymph nodes were enlarged bilaterally and painful on palpation in 13 cases (93%). This cellulitis was a consequence of balanitis due to incomplete circumcision (2 cases), to sexual trauma (2 cases), direct trauma (2 cases), folliculitis (1 case) and inguinal intertrigo (1 case). Antibiotics were sufficient to obtain recovery in 13 cases. One of the patients, developed gangrene and underwent surgical operation. Conclusion: Penile erysipelas looks to be favored by poorly done circumcision and micro trauma of the penis. Appropriate antibiotics must be administrated as soon as possible to prevent evolution into gangrene. Keywords: Erysipelas, Cellulitis, erysipelas penis, incomplete circumcision, antibiotics