Cellulite mimics

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is a acute bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous skin tissues. It is commonly caused by anyone Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. Cellulite presents as an enlarged area of red, warm, swollen and tender skin. Cellulite can occur anywhere on the body, but is most often seen on the lower leg. May be accompanied by lymphangitis, which appears as a red streak after lymphatic ships to local lymph node (which can also be tender and enlarged).

The signs of cellulite are nonspecific and the diagnosis is based primarily on the patient's medical history and physical examination. A number of skin conditions can "mimic" cellulite, and about 30% of cellulite cases are misdiagnosed. Distinguishing between cellulite and these simulating conditions is important to avoid unnecessary treatments and complications, and to speed up proper treatment.

What are the clinical characteristics of cellulite?

Unilateral distribution in the lower leg

Cellulite of the legs is almost always unilateral. Bilateral Cellulite distribution rarely occurs, usually as a result of an underlying condition, such as lymphedema. The bilateral distribution of a eruption In the absence of other symptoms of cellulite, an alternative diagnosis should be sought.

Response to treatment

If not treated, cellulite will progress rapidly. If appropriate antibiotics are started, cellulite should respond within hours to days. Lack of response suggests an alternative diagnosis.

Symptoms and signs of infection.

A cellulite patient may experience symptoms such as nausea and discomfort.

Signs of cellulite infection include:

• A feeling of intense heat in the affected area.
• Fever
• Tachycardia
• Leukocytosis
• High inflammatory markers (for example, C-reactive protein [[CRP], erythrocytes sedimentation rate [[ESR])

Infection risk factors.

There may be an entry portal, such as a ulcer or injury, which allows bacteria to break the skin's defenses. Other risk factors include chronic edema, lymphedema, obesity and diabetes mellitus.

What are the clinical conditions that commonly mimic cellulite?

Other cutaneous infections

Other skin infections that share characteristics similar to cellulite are erysipelas, necrotizing fasciitis and Herpes zoster.

Erysipelas

Erysipelas is a superficial variant of cellulite that is also predominantly caused by S. pyogenes or S. aureus.

Erysipelas occurs with:

• Abruptly demarcated erythema
• Burning
• Edema
• Intense heat of the affected area
• Systemic symptoms, such as fever, malaise, and nausea.

Necrotizing fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a bacterial infection that affects the subcutaneous tissues. As it does not affect the epidermis and upper dermis, its characteristics may be subtle at the initial stage, but infection later results in rapid and severe tissue necrosis if not treated Most patients with necrotizing fasciitis are seriously ill with septic features.

The keys to diagnosing necrotizing fasciitis include:

• Severe pain, apparently out of proportion to clinical findings.
• Edema or tenderness that extends beyond the erythematous edge of affected area
• Cutaneous gangrene and blisters
• Crepitation (due to the subcutaneous gas produced by anaerobic organisms)
• Fluctuation, indicating purulent material in the soft tissues
• Rapid expansion despite antibiotic therapy.

Herpes infection

Some of the symptoms of herpes zoster (shingles) are similar to cellulite, including:

• Sudden onset of fever
• Located rash with pain
• Swelling
• Hot
• Redness

However, herpes zoster is characterized by its dermatomal distribution and umbilical vesicles. Antibiotics are not effective against the herpes zoster virus, which is treated with antiviral agents, such as acyclovir.

Venous disease

Venous disease of the lower legs affects about 20% in people over the age of 70. Damage or degeneration of leg veins. It is a very common reason for red legs. Signs of venous disease can include:

• Swelling due to accumulation of blood.
• Color changes
• Dry and peeling skin
• Firm hardening (described as a “tied” appearance)
• Swelling of the calves over the narrow ankles (sometimes described as an 'inverted champagne bottle' appearance).

These changes have been classified within a framework of symptoms known as clinical, etiological, anatomical and pathophysiological classification (CEAP).

Dependent blush

In this condition, the dilated vessels of the skin cause a red and dark discoloration of the legs when sitting or standing. Patients are typically asymptomatic.

Venous eczema

Prolonged edema leads to inflammation and subsequent redness, itching, dryness and climbing and what is known as venous eczema (also called stasis dermatitis). Venous eczema is usually not as red, hot, or edematous like cellulite

Venous thrombosis

Superficial thrombophlebitis causes redness, warmth, and cellulite-like sensitivity, except that the inflammation is linear, following the course of the underlying thrombosed vein, which is palpable and tender The edema is absent and the skin is not taut, smooth or shiny. There are no systemic symptoms.

The inflammation of deep vein thrombosis does not spread to the skin surface or cause erythema.

Lipodermatosclerosis

Lipodermatosclerosis can be acute or chronic. Acute lipodermatosclerosis is often tender and bright red in color, and occurs with or without edema. Systemic symptoms and signs of infection are absent. Later, a reddish brown discoloration indicates prolonged inflammation and statement of hemosmosin (an insoluble form of iron that has leaked from inflammation capillaries)

Chronic lipodermatosclerosis has a “tied” appearance due to fibrosis (hburn) from the deeper tissues.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis or eczema describes a group of common inflammatory skin conditions. Leg dermatitis may be due to atopic dermatitis, discoid eczema, contact dermatitis, craquelé eczema (due to dry skin) or venous eczema. Combinations may occur.

Acute eczema

Acute eczema can mimic cellulite, regardless of the cause; It is characterized by erythema, crying, crust, and blisters and may be secondarily infected (impetiginization)

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is classified as contact irritating dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis (a type IV hypersensitivity reaction).

Irritants Those that cause contact dermatitis include soaps and detergents.

Potential Allergens Which can cause contact dermatitis include:

• Rosin in adhesive bandages

• Rubber accelerators in elastic bandages.

• Preservatives in moisturizers and current medicines

Contact dermatitis presents with blisters or scalyerythematous plates, What are they often irregularly and clearly delimited. Patients may have a history of exposure to a relevant irritant or allergen. Symptoms and systemic signs are absent.

Panniculitis

Panniculitis refers to a group of conditions in which there is subcutaneous inflammation of the fat. Panniculitis is characterized by red, firm, tender plaques or nodules who has a predilection for the lower legs

The most common form of panniculitis is erythema nodosum, which can be distinguished from cellulite by its bilateral and multifocal distribution. recurrent nature and absence of edema. Patients may have systemic symptoms, either from an underlying cause or from panniculitis itself, which can cause fever, malaise, and arthralgia.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a common mimic of cellulite. The underlying Pathogenesis Lymphedema is similar to venous disease, in which there is a decrease in tissue oxygenation as a result of extravasated lymph.

The clinical features of lymphedema include:

• Not for a long timebites edema with induration
• Erythema
• Hyperkeratosis
• Like a viral wart papules and plates.

the inguinal lymphatic it may have been damaged or occluded for filariasis, lymph node dissection, radiotherapy, or obesity. Infectious signs and symptoms are absent.

Lymphedema is associated with a risk of skin infection, including cellulite, due to impaired lymphatic drainage.

Eosinophilic cellulitis

Eosinophilic cellulitis, or Wells syndromeIt is characterized by recurrent itchy or painful plaques of unknown cause in which eosinophils are on the skin biopsy. A minority of patients with eosinophilic cellulitis may experience discomfort and fever, but multiple lesions and a recurring history should distinguish it from cellulite. The plates are generally bright red at first, then fade for 4–8 weeks, leaving green, gray, or brown spots.

Small container vasculitis

Small vessel vasculitis is characterized by tender, palpable erythematous plaques. purple. Most often it affects both legs. There are various causes

Vasculitis can be accompanied by ulceration, mild blisters and systemic symptoms, such as fever and malaise. Multiple and nopallor Lesions distinguish it from cellulite. The biopsy will generally show leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Capillaritis

The capillaritis can be unilateral or bilateral, acute, chronic or recurrent. It favors the lower part of the legs. It is characterized by 'cayenne pepper' petechiaebut these can resemble cellulite when confluent and accompanied by erythematous patches and edema. The leg is cold and there are no systemic symptoms.

Other cellulite mimics

Rare cellulite mimics include:

• Carcinoma erysipeloid
• Hereditary periodic fever syndromes

• Erythromelalgia.