Diagnosis
The diagnosis of lymphangitis can often be made clinically. Thus, the symptoms and, if necessary, the causes and development of the disease are the main focus of the diagnostic process. To do this, one first needs a trigger for the symptoms, such as an open and infected wound.
Subsequently, lymphangitis on the arm becomes noticeable by a reddening of the lymph channels under the skin. In contrast to a flat redness caused by an infection of the soft tissues, the redness in lymphangitis spreads along the vessels and thus leaves red stripes on the skin, which lead from the infected area towards the shoulder. In further diagnostics the infected wound should be examined.
For example, one can take a wound swab and determine the pathogens. In this way a targeted therapy against the germs can be initiated. If necessary, a further spread diagnosis can also be made, for example if there is a suspicion of additional blood poisoning.
I recognize lymphangitis in the arm by these symptoms
Lymphangitis has a particularly classic symptom. The infection spreads along the lymph vessels and leaves red “streets” on the skin. This reddening is strand-like and runs along the course of the lymphatic vessels.
The lymphatic vessels usually run from the fingers over the hand and forearm towards the shoulder. In lymphangitis, for example, the reddening usually begins near the infected soft tissues, from where it slowly spreads further and further towards the shoulder. How quickly it spreads depends partly on the severity of the infection and partly on the speed of lymph drainage.
Thus, within a few hours the reddening can already spread several centimeters or even along the entire arm. As with any inflammation, the other four classic symptoms of inflammation also occur: these include swelling, overheating, pain and limited functionality of the affected structures. In the case of lymphangitis of the arm, this can lead to a build-up of lymph fluid, which can cause swelling of the arm or hand due to water retention (lymphedema).
The pain caused by the inflammation is usually strongest at the infected site itself, but it can also spread along the inflamed lymph channels.Pronounced lymphangitis can also cause systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, poor performance and headaches. In some cases, blood poisoning may also occur at the same time, which in severe cases can lead to circulatory and respiratory problems and a pronounced feeling of illness. Pain is one of the five classic symptoms of inflammation.
Since lymphangitis of the arm is an inflammation of the lymph vessels, it is often accompanied by pain. On the one hand, the pain spreads along the infected lymph vessels. On the other hand, there is usually an entry port for the pathogens (often an infected wound), which also hurts. If complications such as impaired lymph drainage occur, water retention and swelling can also cause pain. The reason for this can be a strong stretching of the skin or pressure on structures such as muscles, tendons and nerves due to the swelling.
