Anatom3D
ENCZDE
Download

Lymphangitis

Lymphangitis · Lymfangoitida (zánět mízních cév)

What it is

Infection spreading up the lymph channels from a wound — the red streak running up an arm or leg that needs antibiotics now.

Symptoms & signs

  • Red streak running up from a wound
  • tender swollen lymph nodes
  • fever and chills
  • warm, painful skin

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Red streak with fever, shivers, confusion or a racing heart
  • call 112 / 911 now Skin turning dark, blistered or extremely painful
  • see a doctor soon Red streak running up from a wound
  • see a doctor soon Tender lump in the armpit or groin with a red streak

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Antibiotics (flucloxacillin or similar) promptly
  • intravenous if spreading or unwell
  • treat the wound it came from
  • raise the limb

Natural & lifestyle

  • Clean and cover wounds
  • treat athlete's foot
  • diabetes control

Emerging & experimental

  • Rapid identification of the bacteria

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Honey on the wound — antibacterial; not for a spreading infection anecdotal / traditional
  • Herbal poultices instead of antibiotics — delay turns it into sepsis not confirmed in trials
  • Tea tree oil — a wound antiseptic in lab studies early / small studies

ICD codes