Differential Diagnosis for Red Streak from Infection
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Cellulitis: This is the most likely diagnosis, as a red streak is a common presentation of cellulitis, which is a bacterial skin infection that can cause redness, swelling, and warmth of the skin.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Erysipelas: This is a type of skin infection that can cause a red, raised, and well-defined streak, often accompanied by fever and swelling.
- Lymphangitis: This is an infection of the lymphatic vessels, which can cause a red streak that follows the path of the lymphatic vessels, often accompanied by fever and swelling.
- Phlebitis: This is an inflammation of the veins, which can cause a red streak along the path of the affected vein, often accompanied by warmth, swelling, and pain.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Necrotizing fasciitis: This is a life-threatening infection that can cause a red streak, but it is often accompanied by severe pain, swelling, and crepitus (a crunching feeling under the skin).
- Gas gangrene: This is a life-threatening infection that can cause a red streak, but it is often accompanied by severe pain, swelling, and crepitus, as well as a foul odor.
- Rare diagnoses
- Erythema migrans (Lyme disease): This is a rare diagnosis that can cause a red streak, but it is often accompanied by a distinctive "bull's-eye" rash and flu-like symptoms.
- Sweet syndrome: This is a rare diagnosis that can cause a red streak, but it is often accompanied by fever, swelling, and a distinctive neutrophilic infiltrate on biopsy.