Skin changes in chronic lymphatic filariasis

Seventeen men and 31 women with unilateral lower limb lymphoedema attributed to chronic lymphatic filariasis were examined in the filarial out-patient clinic of the Government General Hospital, Madras, India. Skin changes such as skin fold thickening, hyperkeratosis, hypo- or hypertrichosis, pachydermia, pigmentary changes, chronic ulceration, epidermal and sub-epidermal nodules, and clinical intertrigo were observed and compared between the different lymphoedema grades. These lesions are not specific to chronic lymphatic filariasis, and have been described in other conditions displaying lymphostasis. They are thought to be favoured by secondary infections, which should be dealt with appropriately to prevent the progression of the disease and the onset of elephantiasis.