Dr Joe Whittington warned about a red line going from the toes up the leg. He said this could be a symptom of lymphangitis and should be treated immediately
An urgent warning has been issued by doctors to get immediate help if you have a red line your skin.
The appearance of the mark could be a sign of a health emergency. US medic Dr Joe Whittington says the red-coloured streak could be a dangerous infection. He was responding to a video on social media platform TikTok. It showed a red line going from the toes up the leg. He said this could be a symptom of lymphangitis. The infection, he said, can lead to the formation of abscesses or even something more serious such as sepsis.
The Express reports Dr Whittington, known online as Dr Joe MD, said: “If you see this red streaking, it’s a bad sign. This is something called lymphangitis and it occurs when there’s a localised infection. But you see red streaking that courses up from the infection side. This means there’s been infection of the lymphatic system, which means it’s no longer localised, it’s now spreading throughout the body. This is a medical emergency that needs to be treated with antibiotics.”
He explained more about the dangerous condition which he said also stems from a bacterial infection. Dr Joe said: “Lymphangitis is an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, often caused by a bacterial infection, typically streptococcus or staphylococcus. It usually presents as red, painful streaks on the skin extending from the site of infection toward nearby lymph nodes, which may also become swollen and tender.
“Fever, chills, and a general sense of illness may accompany these symptoms. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is essential to prevent the infection from spreading and to avoid potential complications such as abscess formation or sepsis.” The Cleveland Clinic lists the following symptoms of lymphangitis:
- Red streaks on your skin
- Headaches
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- A slow-healing wound
- Swollen lymph nodes in your groin or armpit.
Experts at the clinic warn lymphangitis moves quickly, they say: “In less than 24 hours, an infection can spread from the initial wound to several areas of your lymphatic system. Left untreated, the infection can enter your bloodstream and cause sepsis.” Medical experts added: “If you notice red streaks on your skin or other symptoms of lymphangitis, tell a healthcare provider immediately. Prompt treatment can keep the infection from spreading.”
Causes of lymphangitis include:
- Skin infections like cellulitis
- Puncture wounds
- Bug bites or stings
- Large wounds that need stitches (including surgical incisions)
- Sporotrichosis (a common fungal skin infection)
- Less commonly, lymphangitis is a complication of certain cancerous and noncancerous tumours.
The Mirror reported recently how woman who believed she had a chesty cough narrowly avoided death as she was later diagnosed as having sepsis mentioned earlier. Denise Devoto, 52, woke up in the middle of the night in December 2022 with a sharp pain in the right-hand side of her ribcage, and in her lungs. A week later she went to a walk-in centre who sent her to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and gave her a prescription for Tamiflu. Her condition worsened overnight and her GP prescribed antibiotics. She was told she had pneumonia which had progressed to sepsis.
