[A non-infectious cellulitis to know: Wells' syndrome]

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Wells syndrome is a rare inflammatory dermatosis characterized by eosinophilic infiltration.
• It presents as sudden inflammatory plaques with pruritus, often accompanied by blood eosinophilia and dermal eosinophils with flame figures on biopsy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnostic and therapeutic options for Wells syndrome.
• To differentiate Wells syndrome from infectious cellulitis, a common misdiagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of diagnostic criteria and treatment modalities for Wells syndrome.
• Analysis of differentiating features between Wells syndrome and cellulitis.

Main Results:

• Wells syndrome involves eosinophilic inflammation, potentially linked to a TH1/TH2 imbalance and IL-5 mediated eosinophil degranulation.
• Key diagnostic findings include blood eosinophilia and characteristic skin biopsy results.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of Wells syndrome is crucial, with a focus on differentiating it from infectious cellulitis.
• Understanding the immunological underpinnings may guide future therapeutic approaches.