Panniculitis is a catch-all term to describe inflammation of the fatty layer underneath the skin’s surface.
In this article, learn more about panniculitis, including symptoms and causes.
It also discusses diagnosis and forms of treatment.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealand and Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
What Is Panniculitis?
Humans have three main layers of skin: theepidermis, thedermis, andsubcutaneous tissue.
The epidermis is the uppermost layer, the layer we see every day.
The dermis is just below and holds our oil glands, sweat glands, hair follicles, and bulbs.
The deepest layer, the subcutaneous tissue, protects our body.
Anyone, at any age, can develop panniculitis, but it tends to be more common in women.
Symptoms of Panniculitis
The most notable indicator of panniculitis is tender lumps underneath the skin.
You may have just one lump or a cluster of them.
They may feel like knots or bumps under the skin or be broader, raised swellings called plaques.
Sometimes, the swellings drain oily fluid or pus.
The most common place for panniculitis is the lower legs (shins and calves) and feet.
It’s much less frequently found in those areas, though.
You may also have a fever and feel run-down or tired.
Joint or muscle aching, stomach pain, and nausea or vomiting can also occur.
These symptoms can sometimes appear even before the swellings do.
Panniculitis can also cause dark discolorations on the skin that look like bruising.
These typically will fade over time once the inflammation recedes.
In some cases, it can also leave depressed areas on the skin.
This happens if the tissue beneath has to be destroyed.
These depressed areas may improve with time, but they’re often permanent.
What Is the Cause of Panniculitis?
It may take some sleuthing to determine precisely what is causing your panniculitis.
Other causes of panniculitis can include:
In many cases, a specific cause isn’t identified.
This is called idiopathic panniculitis.
Diagnosing Panniculitis
Panniculitis can be diagnosed by visual inspection.
A biopsy is often done to confirm the practitioners assessment.
Not all skin lumps are panniculitis.
Its important not to venture to self-diagnose.
Unidentified lumps and bumps on the skin should always be inspected by a healthcare provider.
Panniculitis can be a sign of something more serious, especially when it develops with other symptoms.
Because so many things can cause panniculitis, getting a specific diagnosis can sometimes be challenging.
You may never know precisely what is causing your panniculitis.
What Is the Best Treatment for Panniculitis?
The treatment for panniculitis varies depending on what is causing the condition.
Because many different conditions can cause panniculitis, treatment will vary from person to person.
You aren’t treating the panniculitis itself; there is no specific treatment for panniculitis.
The focus is treating the underlying cause of panniculitis and easing symptoms to make you more comfortable.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen can help lessen the swelling and make them feel less tender.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection.
Immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy treatments may be used in severe, long-lasting cases.
Until then, keeping the area elevated when possible can help with inflammation, as can cold compresses.
Try compression stockings if panniculitis is on the legs.
Summary
To the untrained eye, many skin problems mimic panniculitis.
This is why its so important to get a proper diagnosis.
Panniculitis can come and go, which can be frustrating especially if it has no clear cause or trigger.
Work closely with your healthcare provider to come up with a plan to control or minimize the flare-ups.
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