Lymphangitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Lymphangitis?

Lymphangitis is a disorder that causes inflamed lymphatic vessels as a result of an infection.

Symptoms of lymphangitis include swelling, usually at the elbow’s bend or under the arm, painful red streaks on the skin that may originate from the groin or armpit, a headache, fever with chills or an overall ill feeling throughout one’s body.

If caught early, lymphangitis can generally be treated successfully with antibiotics as well as over-the-counter medicine to relieve pain. In serious cases, lymphangitis may cause widespread infection, as well as shock called sepsis. An operation or other intervention might be necessary.

Symptoms of Lymphangitis

Those with lymphangitis might notice red streaks spreading from an injury site to areas with a large number of lymph glands, like the groin or armpits.

Mysterious red streaks can appear on any part of the body, especially in people with an existing skin condition. These signs could be indicative of lymphangitis.

Other lymphangitis symptoms may include:

• A fever, with chills
• A headache
• Feeling weak or sick
• A recent injury that isn’t healing
• Loss of appetite and low energy
• Swelling near the armpits or groin or near an injury

Lymphangitis can enter the blood if it’s not treated. This life-threatening condition is called sepsis. It can cause flu-like symptoms, very high fever and sometimes organ failure.

If you feel very ill after an injury, or you have symptoms of lymphangitis and a high fever, make sure to seek medical attention immediately.

People with weakened immune systems can be more susceptible to lymphangitis. Some conditions, including cancer, diabetes, HIV or taking immunosuppressants like chemotherapy medications can raise the risk of lymphangitis.

If you have signs of skin disorders and have the above conditions, speak to your doctor.

Causes of Lymphangitis

Lymphangitis is caused by many factors, including untreated bacterial infections, infectious agents, breaks in skin and a weakened immune system, as well as similar and related causes of symptoms.

Untreated Bacterial Infections

An untreated bacterial infection that affects any broken skin may reach the lymphatic system. Examples of untreated bacterial infections include:

• Cellulitis is a reddened sore that affects the skin’s middle layer and may affect the layers beneath it.
• An abscess is also called a boil. It’s a painful, pus-filled, reddened lump on the skin.

Infectious Agents

Certain infectious agents may contribute to lymphangitis, including:

• Certain forms of fungi
• Bacteria present on the skin, like Staphylococcus bacteria and Streptococcus bacteria

Suppressed Immune System

Having a weakened immune system makes it easier for bacteria to entrench themselves in the body. This may include:

Medications

Taking certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs or corticosteroids, can result in lymphangitis.

Immune Disorders

Infections that directly attack your immune system, such as HIV/AIDS.

Overall Poor Health

Lymphangitis can be caused by being in poor physical condition, like being debilitated or weak from other infections, malnourishment or states of extreme stress.

Breaks in Skin

Any kind of break in your skin, anywhere on your body, can allow the normal skin bacteria into your body and cause an infection. Breaks include:

• Insect bites or stings
• Scrapes
• Cuts or scratches
• Severely dry, peeling or cracked skin
• Surgical wounds
• Punctured wounds
• Ulcerations — skin sores from conditions like circulatory disease, bedsores, or diabetes can result in lymphangitis

Similar/Related Causes

There are several similar or related conditions that can be mistaken for lymphangitis. They include:

• Lymphedema: This refers to the swelling in the legs or arms caused by the lymphatic system being unable to drain correctly. It’s not similar to lymphangitis, and it’s not a bacterial infection.
• Lymphadenitis: This bacterial infection only affects lymph nodes, unlike lymphangitis, which affects the lymph vessels. In contrast, lymphadenitis of one or more adjacent lymph nodes normally occurs alongside lymphangitis.
• Lymphadenopathy: This is a condition in which lymph nodes are chronically enlarged. It may be caused by bacteria, but there are other causes, including certain medications, viral illnesses and tumors.
• Thrombophlebitis: This is inflammation of veins caused by a blood clot. One of its symptoms is reddened streaks, but it’s different from lymphangitis.
• Sepsis: This refers to bloodstream infection. Some mistake it for lymphangitis due to the read streaks that occur on skin in both cases. Sepsis may be a lymphangitis complication.

Lymphangitis Treatment

The most common lymphangitis treatment is antibiotics. They’re used to eliminate bacteria that bring on the infection. Antibiotics such as Nafcillin, Oxacillin and Dicloxacillin are often prescribed.

While antibiotics are the go-to treatment for most doctors when treating lymphangitis, frequent use of antibiotics makes many microorganisms extra resistant to those drugs.

The scary fact about resistance to antibiotics is that some microorganisms may cause fatal conditions and multi-drug resistant forms of bacteria make it really difficult to treat. For that reason, alternative agents for killing bacteria are often needed before immediately switching to antibiotics.

NSAIDs help reduce swelling and fever or pain. These drugs come with or without a prescription. They cause kidney issues and stomach bleeding in some people. If you use blood-thinning medications, always ask your doctor if it’s safe to take NSAIDs. Always read the label of the medicine and follow instructions.

Acetaminophen reduces fever and pain. It’s available over the counter. Ask your doctor how often to take it and how much. Follow the instructions carefully. If used excessively, acetaminophen may cause liver damage.

Incision and drainage may be necessary to drain pus from any of your boils.

Home Remedies for Lymphangitis

Take lymphangitis medication exactly as directed until it’s finished. Take extra care not to skip any doses. Don’t discontinue the medication until it’s gone or your doctor tells you to do so, even if you’re feeling better.

Follow your doctor’s directions for taking other medications. Talk to him or her before using any over-the-counter medications.

Run hot water over a facecloth to make a warm compress. Apply the compress to the painful area until it cools down. Repeat three times daily for the first three days or so. The heat will boost blood flow to the sore area and hasten the healing process. Or you can treat the area with the warm spray from your shower.

Supplements for Lymphangitis

The following supplements may help relieve symptoms associated with lymphangitis. Be sure to consult a doctor before using any of them:

Oregano Oil

Oregano oil contains thymol and carvacrol, two potent substances that have anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.

A 2013 study found that oregano is one of the best antimicrobial agents for people who decide to use alternative medicine or aromatherapy to treat bacterial infections. This is because the oil has shown considerable antibacterial activity when coming into contact with streptococcus, a major cause of lymphangitis.

If you decide take oregano oil rather than antibiotics, do so under the supervision of a natural health expert or doctor. It’s best to take oregano internally for no more than two weeks. Dilute it with coconut oil or water.

Beta-Alanine Powder

Beta-alanine is ideal for people involved in some kind of exercise, such as bodybuilders or athletes. It’s mainly used for boosting muscular endurance, but you’re advised to research the supplement to decide if it’s right for you.

Use beta-alanine in serving sizes of 500 milligrams daily. This is the recommended dose, but you can take more or less of it depending on your intended effect.

Pure Omega 3-6-9 Softgels

These softgels are a natural omega-3 fatty acids source. They contain evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil and fish oil to reduce inflammation, as well as benefit mood and heart health.

Take 3 softgels one to two times daily, or as advised by your doctor. Each softgel contains 1,200 milligrams of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Pure Fish Oil Softgels

The essential fatty acids contained in fish oil help promote heart health. This supplement is the only omega-3 fatty acids source that’s bioavailable.

Take 2 capsules of fish oil twice or three times a day.

Devil’s Claw

Devil’s claw is normally applied topically to treat skin conditions and may contain anti-inflammatory properties.

It may reduce pain, especially in the back and neck. It’s also useful for relieving an upset stomach or alleviating fever or allergies to increase appetite.

Take 1,000 milligrams of devil’s claw extract up to thrice a day, or as recommended by your doctor.

Willow Bark Extract

White willow bark has a compound known as salicin (aspirin’s main ingredient), which may effectively soothe pain caused by back problems, headaches, joint inflammation, etc.

Take 400-1,600 milligrams of white willow bark daily. Don’t exceed the daily maximum allowance.

Boswellia Serrata Extract Powder

The anti-inflammatory properties of boswellia serrata may help relieve joint pain. The extract also supports gastrointestinal health.

Boswellia serrata extract is also applied topically and is included in soaps, cosmetic products, etc.

Take 450 milligrams of boswellia serrata extract once or twice a day, or as recommended by your healthcare provider. This supplement is best taken with food.

The Bottom Line

Lymphangitis is an inflammation of lymph vessels, which are part of your immune system. Along with lymph ducts and lymph nodes, lymph vessels help drain infected fluids from the area of an infection.

Lymphangitis symptoms can include fever and chills, headache, malaise (general ill feeling), tender and enlarged lymph nodes (glands) — often in the groin, armpit or elbow — muscle aches, loss of appetite and red streaks spreading from the area infected to the groin or armpit (may be obvious or faint).

Lymphangitis is triggered by bacteria. It normally begins with a bacterial infection of the skin. When lymph vessels begin to drain fluids from the infection, bacteria can enter lymph vessels and start to multiply. This growth often triggers lymphangitis.

Lymphangitis can spread in a matter of hours. Treatment should start immediately. It may include antibiotics given by IV (vein) or mouth to treat any illness, pain medication to manage pain and anti-inflammatory medication to decrease swelling and inflammation.

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Created on Mar 3rd 2020 16:42. Viewed 385 times.

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