Lymphangitis

The lymphangitis (also Lymphangitis ), colloquially referred to as " blood poisoning", is a relatively rare inflammation of the lymph vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissue ( hypodermis ), which by bacteria ( streptococci and staphylococci rare ) is caused. However, it can also be caused by other noxious agents such as rust or paravasally infused chemotherapeutic agents.

The factually incorrect term " blood poisoning" often leads to confusion with sepsis, in which it is a life-threatening systemic disease. Lymphangitis may rarely develop into a true septicemia when the infection spreads to the bloodstream, the prognosis per se, however, is low.

The most noticeable symptom is the virtually as painful, red streaks under the skin, inflamed lymph channels. You start from the inflammation. Accordingly, also enlarged lymph nodes found in the lymphatic drainage. In extensive inflammation also general symptoms such as fever and malaise can show.

In medicine, shares the lymphangitis in an acute and chronic form. If, after repeating or chronified lymphangitis to lymphatic drainage, lymphedema can develop.

A bacterial lymphangitis is to fight usually with antibiotics. The further treatment consists of immobilization of a limb, disinfectant envelopes, cooling and possibly the surgical infectious source.