The lymphangitis (also lymphangiitis), colloquially referred to incorrectly as “blood poisoning”, is a relatively rare inflammation of the lymphatics of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue (subcutaneous tissue), which usually caused by bacteria (streptococci and staphylococci, less frequently) is caused. It can also be caused by other noxious substances such as rust or paravasally infused chemotherapy drugs.

The factually incorrect term “blood poisoning” often leads to confusion with sepsis, in which there is a life-threatening systemic disease. Lymphangitis may rarely develop into a real blood poisoning if the infection spreads to the bloodstream, however, the prognosis is favorable to themselves.

The most noticeable symptom is the become visible as a painful, red streaks below the skin, inflamed lymph vessels. You start from the inflammation. Accordingly also find enlarged lymph nodes in the lymphatic drainage. With extensive inflammation can also show general symptoms such as fever and malaise.

In medicine, you divide the lymphangitis in acute and chronic form. If, after repeated or chronic lymphangitis of lymph drainage disorders may develop lymphedema.

A bacterial lymphangitis is usually too good to fight with antibiotics. The further treatment consists of immobilization of a limb, envelopes, disinfecting, cooling and any surgical source control.