Elephantiasis nostras is a cutaneous condition, a final hypertrophic fibrosis following longstanding chronic lymphangitis

Chronic lymphangitis

Chronic lymphangitis is a cutaneous condition that is the end result of recurrent bouts of acute bacterial lymphangitis....

.

Symptoms

The disease usually affects the lower legs or scrotum. The swelling is accompanied by rough nodules or wart-like plaques on the skin. If the disease is not treated, it eventually results in pain and immobility.

Causes

Although elephantiasis nostras resembles the elephantiasis

Elephantiasis

Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and male genitals. In some cases the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball. It is caused by...

 caused by helminths, it is not a filarial disease. Instead, it is a complication of chronic lymphedema

Lymphedema

Lymphedema , also known as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system....

. Both elephantiasis nostras and filarial elephantiasis are characterized by impaired lymphatic drainage, which results in excess fluid accumulation.

Treatment

Treatment consists of antibiotics, elevation of the affected limb, and compression. For persons with elephantiasis nostras who are overweight or obese, weight loss is recommended. Oral retinoids have been used to treat the cutaneous manifestations of the disease.

See also

• Chronic lymphangitis
  Chronic lymphangitis
  Chronic lymphangitis is a cutaneous condition that is the end result of recurrent bouts of acute bacterial lymphangitis....
  
  
• Elephantiasis
  Elephantiasis
  Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and male genitals. In some cases the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball. It is caused by...
  
  
• Skin lesion
• List of cutaneous conditions