What are the types of lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a common clinical disease, which is also called elephantiasis. Lymphedema needs to be clearly classified clinically. Some lymphedema is also hereditary. Diseases like this have a great impact on the patient's physical and psychological health, so we must pay attention to treatment. When treating lymphedema, its type should also be considered, and the treatment should be tailored to the condition. So what are the specific classifications of lymphedema?

1. Congenital lymphedema is divided into two categories

(1) Simplicity

There is no familial or genetic factor for the disease. The incidence rate accounts for 12% of primary lymphedema. After birth, there is localized or diffuse swelling of one limb, which is painless, without ulcers, and rarely complicated by infection. The general condition is good, and it is more common in the lower limbs.

(2) Hereditary

Also known as Milroy's disease, it is rare. Multiple people in the same family are affected, that is, the disease occurs after birth, and most of the time one lower limb is affected.

2. Early-onset lymphedema

It is more common in females, with a male to female ratio of 1:3. The age of onset is 9 to 35, and 70% is unilateral. Generally, there is mild swelling of the feet and ankles without obvious inducement, which worsens when standing, moving, during menstruation and in warm weather. The edema of the affected limb can be temporarily relieved. The lesions gradually worsen and spread to the lower leg, but usually not beyond the knee joint. In the later stage, it may present as typical "elephanthosis", but ulcers and secondary infections are rare.

3. Infectious lymphedema

Including bacterial, fungal, filariasis and other infections. Cracks or blisters in the toe skin are the most common routes of entry for pathogens, followed by varicose veins of the lower limbs with ulcers and secondary infections and other local injuries or infections. In addition, there are reports that pelvic lymphadenitis caused by pelvic inflammatory disease in women can obstruct lymph flow in the lower limbs and cause lymph node swelling in the affected limbs. Streptococci are the most common pathogens causing secondary infections. The clinical symptoms are recurrent acute cellulitis and acute lymphangitis, with severe systemic symptoms including chills, high fever accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and local enlarged and tender lymph nodes. Systemic symptoms subside quickly after anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment, but local lesions are relieved slowly and are prone to recurrence. After each attack, the swelling of the lower limbs worsens, and eventually the skin becomes rough and wart-like growths appear. In a few cases, chronic ulcers may develop. Tinea pedis itself or secondary infection can also cause lymphedema, which is generally limited to the foot and dorsum of the foot. Severe fungal infection is often a precursor to acute cellulitis and acute lymphangitis. Controlling fungal infection is one of the effective measures to prevent lymphedema.