Introduction:
Panniculitis is a group of diseases whose hallmark is inflammation of subcutaneous adipose tissue (the fatty layer under the skin – panniculus adiposus). Symptoms include tender skin nodules, and systemic signs such as weight loss and fatigue.
Restated, an inflammatory disorder primarily localized in the subcutaneous fat is termed a "panniculitis", a group of disorders that may be challenging both for the clinician and the dermatopathologist. The general term for inflammation of any adipose tissue is steatitis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Panniculitis can also be classified based on the presence or absence of systemic symptoms. Panniculitis without systemic disease can be a result of trauma or cold. Panniculitis with systemic disease can be caused by:
Connective tissue disorders such as lupus erythematosus or scleroderma;
Lymphoproliferative disease such as lymphoma or histiocytosis;
Pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer;
Sarcoidosis with cutaneous involvement (seen in up to 20 percent);
Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
Crohn's disease
Treatment:
Usual treatments for panniculitis include:
Treating the underlying causes, such as taking antibiotics for infections
Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen
Compression stockings, which have been shown to help relieve panniculitis symptoms in the legs
Bed rest to help the body recover
Corticosteroids
Surgery to remove the bumps, though this is generally not necessary
Prognosis:
The most common form of panniculitis, erythema nodosum, generally resolves without treatment within 2 to 6 weeks. The recovery time depends on the cause of the panniculitis.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panniculitis
For more information on this topic please click on the links below
