Chronic lymphoedema caused by recurrent infections in a patient with allergic hand eczema.
Allergic contact dermatitis is very common and may be complicated by secondary infections. Chronic lymphoedema is a potentially debilitating condition, which may occur due to secondary infections or the dermatitis itself. The problem of chronic lymphoedema following allergic contact dermatitis has been infrequently reported. We report a case of a 47-year-old woman with severe allergic contact dermatitis complicated by chronic, intractable lymphoedema of the hands and forearms. This case report reminds us that allergic hand dermatitis may be complicated by a chronic and debilitating state of lymphoedema. Also, it underlines the importance of fast and adequate treatment of both the dermatitis and the secondary infections.
Department of Dermato-Allergology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Beatrice
B
Dyring-Andersen
Department of Dermato-Allergology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lone
L
Skov
Department of Dermato-Allergology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Peter
P
Jensen
allergic contact dermatitis; hand eczema; lymphangitis; lymphoedema; recurrent infections.