How is erysipelas treated?

Mild or early cases may be treated with an oral penicillin or oral erythromycin. Oral dicloxacillin is the best choice because it provides better antistaphylococcal coverage for the rare case of staphylococcal erysipelas. Severe cases or cases with central facial involvement should be hospitalized and treated with intravenous antibiotics, such as vancomycin. Erysipelas usually improves within 48 hours after institution of antibiotic therapy.