Complications

Lymphangitis is an inflammation of the lymph vessels. These are usually affected when there is an infection of a certain region of the body or of the entire body. As a result, the lymph nodes become swollen. If the pathogens spread throughout the entire body, serious complications can arise as a result of blood poisoning, many organs fail, and in the worst case, the lymphangitis is fatal.

Blood poisoning (sepsis)

Blood poisoning (sepsis) is the spread of pathogens via the blood throughout the body. Usually, the triggering germs are bacteria of different types. These usually enter the body through an entry portal (wound, pneumonia, intestinal injury).

If they cannot be sufficiently combated by the immune system at the local site, they enter the blood and spread throughout the body. The lymphatic vessels are also affected by the inflammation, as the immune system is started everywhere in the body. This leads to lymphangitis and a defective regulation of the immune response. The consequences are high fever, chills and possibly the failure of several organs.

Duration

How long lymphangitis lasts cannot be answered generally. A slight inflammatory reaction due to an insect bite usually disappears again after a few hours or days. In the case of a bacterial infection that starts from an inflamed wound or a cut, the duration of lymphangitis depends on the strength of the immune system and the therapeutic measures taken.

With appropriate treatment, the disease usually heals without consequences within a few weeks. However, inadequate treatment or frequently recurring lymphangitis can also lead to a chronic course with lymphedema.This is due to a disturbance in the drainage of tissue fluid caused by the impaired lymphatic system. There may be severe swelling in the affected area of the body. To prevent such consequences, it is important to treat lymphangitis promptly and appropriately.

By localization

Lymphangitis of the arm can be caused by an inflamed wound on the hand or arm. The typically strip-shaped inflamed lymphatic channels usually run in the direction of the nearest lymph nodes. In the case of an infection on the upper arm, this means in the direction of the armpit ().

Lymphangitis of the arm should be examined by a doctor and treated according to his assessment. In the case of a severe infection that is worthy of treatment and is not treated, there may otherwise be consequential damage, for example due to a disturbed lymphatic flow, which leads to swelling of the arm (lymphedema). If a wound on the foot or leg becomes inflamed, lymphangitis can also occur there.

The inflamed lymph channels often run in the direction of the nearest lymph nodes in the corresponding groin region ( ). Another possible trigger of lymphangitis in the leg is athlete’s foot. The risk is particularly high in people with a disturbed blood flow in the legs, such as in venous weakness or arteriosclerosis, and in diabetics.

Anyone who has lymphangitis in the leg should definitely have a medical examination and receive appropriate treatment. Otherwise, the lymphatic flow in the leg in particular can be disturbed, resulting in swelling that often does not go down. Lymphangitis of the neck can occur if there is an inflamed wound on the head.

A purulent inflamed hair root (boils) can also be responsible for the painful red streaks that run towards the heart. Even if no causal inflammation can be found on the head or neck, you should consult a doctor for safety reasons. Infections in the head area, especially in the face, always carry the risk of spreading via blood vessels directly to the meninges or brain, so that a medical examination and appropriate treatment should always be carried out.

Inflammation of a certain area of the intestine can also lead to inflammation of the lymph channels and lymph nodes in the stomach. This is called mesenteric lymphadenitis (i.e. inflammation of the lymph nodes in the abdomen). The term lymphangitis mesenterialis is not common, although the lymphatic ducts may be affected.

The disease occurs mainly in children and is usually caused by certain bacteria (Yersinia enterocolitica). However, it can also be caused by a viral infection. The symptoms are similar to those of appendicitis.

It causes pain in the right lower abdomen and fever. For this reason it is also called pseudoappendicitis. Other synonyms of the disease are Brenneman syndrome, lymphadenitis mesenterica and Maßhoff’s disease.

In contrast to appendicitis, however, no special therapy is required for mesenteric lymphadenitis because the disease heals on its own. However, if the symptoms are present, a doctor should be consulted without fail, as laypersons cannot distinguish between appendicitis and appendicitis. If left untreated, this can be life-threatening.