<p>The typical diagnosis of skin infection in patients with lymphoedema includes erysipelas and cellulitis, but the true picture is more complex with the possibility of secondary complications such as lymphadenitis (adeno-lymphangitis) and lymphangitis. The recent description of acute inflammatory episodes (or AIEs) has gone some way to explaining how a patient may be prone to rapid-onset febrile illness (Mortimer, 2000). This review summarises the current understanding of cutaneous infections and inflammatory presentations that are observed in lymphoedema and discusses associated immunological compromises.</p>
