Relapsing polychondritis as a rare different diagnosis of erysipelas

A 76-year old patient with painful erythematous swelling of the right ear was initially treated with antibiotics under the suspected diagnosis of erysipelas. Her failure to respond and a history of previous laryngeal and nasal swelling suggested the possibility of relapsing polychondritis. High dose prednisolone therapy produced marked improvement. Relapsing polychondritis should be considered as a rare, but important differential diagnostic consideration for erysipelas.