Lymphangitis is characterized by an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels resulting from a staphylococcal or streptococcal infection. It can also occur when the lymphatic vessels are compressed by a malignant or benign tumour. There are different types of lymphangitis, including nodular lymphangitis which is caused by the propagation of bacteria to the lymphatic vessels but that may not necessarily result in fever or general health deterioration. In this case, it is sometimes confused with thrombosis and chemically-induced phlebitis. However, nodular lymphangitis may also be accompanied by symptoms like fever, a general deterioration of the patient’s condition or abnormal swelling of the lymph vessels. Finally, acute lymphangitis is also another form of pathology.
Initially, lymphangitis results in localized inflammation. The purpose of the lymph glands is to evacuate waste materials, while lymph nodes are responsible for delaying, or even completely preventing, the infection from spreading. When they do not succeed, the lymphatic vessels become irritated and start to swell.
Two cases may occur in the second stage of the infectious bacteria’s progression. On one hand, tiny blood vessels may show signs of inflammation and start to swell, in addition to which they may be accompanied by other symptoms like the appearance of red patches on the skin and the onset of fever. On the other hand, instead of the small blood vessels, an entire lymphatic vessel may be irritated and start to swell, in which case the main symptom is the appearance of a red, hot, and unusually harsh patch on the skin that may sometimes be painful
If lymphangitis is caused by an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels located under the skin, the treatment with homoeopathic remedies will involve Apis mellifica 5 CH, Mercurius solubilis 5 CH and Bufo rana 5 CH, among others. In case the skin becomes purplish and sensitive due to lymphangitis, the indicated homoeopathic remedy is Lachesis mutus. Hepar sulfuris salcareum is recommended to treat lymphangitis that gradually spreads to the rest of the body and of which the cause is a festering wound.
Apis mellifica will only be prescribed if lymphangitis results in the appearance on the skin of a pink-coloured oedema that is accompanied by burning and shooting pains that are only relieved by the application of cold poultices. If the skin is red and hot around the lymphatic inflammation and if the patient has a fever with a substantial and unquenchable thirst, it is best to give him or her Belladonna. Bufo rana will only be administered in case lymphangitis tends to spread towards the upper limbs, starting its ascent from a paronychia.
A burning sensation around a node cavity could be a sign of lymphangitis. Knowing that the disease can intensify in different ways, it is advisable to seek medical advice in order to determine the appropriate homoeopathic remedy on a case by case basis. Moreover, the symptoms of lymphangitis, including fever, usually disappear within hours of starting treatment. Thus, if there is no significant improvement after 24 hours, it is necessary to seek medical attention.
• Bufo bufo
Good to know: Breast lymphangitis is a particular type of lymphangitis that manifests itself by a warm, abnormally hard and painful breast. Bryonia alba is the recommended homoeopathic remedy for the treatment of this type of lymphangitis.