| Eosinophilic cellulitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Wells' syndrome, recurrent granulomatous dermatitis with eosinophilia[1] |
 | |
| Initial rash in eosinophilic cellulitis | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Painful, red, raised, warm patches of skin, fever, joint pain[2] |
| Usual onset | Sudden and recurrent[2] |
| Duration | Few weeks[2] |
| Causes | Unknown[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Vasculitis, cellulitis, anaphylaxis[2][1] |
| Medication | Corticosteroids,antihistamines[2][1] |
| Prognosis | Often goes away by itself[2] |
| Frequency | ~200 documented cases[1] |
Eosinophilic cellulitis, also known asWells' syndrome (not to be confused withWeil's disease), is askin disease that presents with painful, red, raised, and warm patches of skin.[2] The rash comes on suddenly, lasts for a few weeks, and often repeatedly comes back.[2]Scar formation does not typically occur.[1]
Eosinophilic cellulitis is of unknown cause.[2] It is suspected to be anautoimmune disorder.[2] It may be triggered by bites from insects and arachnids such as spiders,fleas, orticks, or from medications or surgery.[2] Diagnosis is made after other potential cases are ruled out.[1]Skin biopsy of the affected areas may show an increased number ofeosinophils.[2] Other conditions that may appear similar includecellulitis,contact dermatitis, and severe allergic reactions such asanaphylaxis.[2]
Treatment is often with acorticosteroids.[2] Steroids applied as a cream is generally recommended over the use of steroids by mouth.[3]Antihistamines may be used to help with itchiness.[1] Many times the condition goes away after a few weeks without treatment.[2] The condition is uncommon.[1] It affects both sexes with the same frequency.[2] It was first described byGeorge Crichton Wells in 1971.[1][4]
Eosinophilic cellulitis is of unknown cause.[2] It is suspected to be anautoimmune disorder.[2] It may be triggered by bites from insects such asmosquitos,[5] spiders,fleas, orticks, or from medications or surgery.[2]
Diagnosis requires ruling out other potential causes.[1] This includes ruling outvasculitis onskin biopsy.[1]
Treatment is often with asteroids.[2] This can be either applied as a cream or taken by mouth.[3] As the condition tends to get better on its own taking steroids by mouth should generally only be tried if the rash covers a large area and it does not get better with other measures.[3]