A man from Shenzhen recently went to Guangzhou to attend an exhibition but unexpectedly encountered heavy rain, leaving his feet soaked in water all day. The next day, he developed a high fever of 40°C and experienced redness, swelling, and pain in his left calf. He was diagnosed with a skin disease called erysipelas, with the Chinese name dandu (meaning: "red poison"). Doctors stated that his condition was critical, and without timely treatment, it could lead to sepsis.
According to Shenzhen media, the man, surnamed Xu, encountered heavy rain while in Guangzhou and did not change his shoes or socks after getting soaked. The following day, he had a high fever and swelling in his left calf. After taking fever-reducing medication without improvement, he decided to visit a hospital. He was diagnosed with erysipelas, but fortunately, after five days of anti-infection treatment, he recovered in the end.
Doctors noted that the patient had a prior fungal infection in his foot, which had caused skin erosion between his toes. The prolonged exposure to rainwater damaged his skin barrier, leading to a streptococcal infection. If not treated promptly, his condition could worsen and potentially result in sepsis.
The report mentioned that although erysipelas has "poison" in its Chinese name, it has no relation to poisoning or toxins. It is called "red poison" because it causes the skin to suddenly become "red and hot, swollen like being poisoned."
This disease is primarily an acute infectious skin condition caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci, most commonly affecting the lower limbs and face. Patients typically present with localized redness, warm skin, and pain. Additionally, lymph nodes in the affected area may swell. If not addressed promptly, blood blisters may form on the swollen skin, and patients often experience fever, chills, and headaches. In severe cases, it can progress to sepsis or purulent blood poisoning, endangering life.
The report also indicated that heavy rains have been frequent in many areas recently, often leading to situations where water accumulates on the streets. Many people, for convenience, choose to wear flip-flops or go barefoot through the water; however, the ground and underground drainage systems are filled with various contaminants, and the standing water is mixed with numerous pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
If the skin on the feet has any cuts or abrasions, bacteria can enter through these small wounds, increasing the risk of infections such as erysipelas, athlete's foot, or leptospirosis. If people accidentally walk through water, they should clean their feet promptly when they get home, rinsing them with clean water and then washing with soap, avoiding vigorous scrubbing to prevent skin damage.
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