An itchy mystery: A rare case of Wells syndrome

Abstract

Eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells syndrome) is an inflammatory dermatitis that is often misdiagnosed as infectious cellulitis due to its similarity in presentation. Misdiagnosis leads to delay of correct treatment and inappropriate use of antibiotics. The clinical eruption is characterized by varying morphology and severity and usually follows a relapsing remitting course. The classical histopathologic picture is of eosinophilic infiltrate of the dermis along with the presence of “flame figures.” Limited number of cases have been reported in the literature. We describe one such case which posed as a diagnostic dilemma.