Please keep in mind that the following info is not from a dive medicine background but rather a personal interest of mine and internet review. There is a surprising lack of medical data available for cutaneous manifestations of DCS, or skin bends. Much of the online information is personal accounts, case presentations and dated research. I'm still hopeful a more authoritative source will contribute to this thread...
In 1971 the US Naval Submarine Medical Center released "A Review of the Pathogenesis of Skin Bends." http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/749317.pdf. Much of the info in it is obviously obsolete but it is interesting that a review of the literature at that time separated skin bends into six levels or presentations.
!) Pruritus only - "fleas"
2) Scarlatinaform rash - perhaps the most frequent sign, usually not accompanied by more serious forms of DCS
3) Erysipelas - may accompany or proceed the more serious forms of DCS
4) Cutis marmorata - this is "one of the danger signs in diving"
The other levels listed are not seen as isolated skin manifestation but rather result from more serious complications of DCS
5) Serious form - cyanosis and shock
6) Emphysema - intracutanous (?) and subcutaneous
The Navel paper goes on to try and explain each presentation based of the anatomy and physiology of the skin and the skin structures involved in each manifestation. Please refer to posted link for a detailed explanation.
Most of the case presentations that I could find in the medical literature were of the cutis marmorata (also referred to as livedo reticularis in other articles) form.
Alert Diver | Skin Bends
MMS: Error
Medical image. Cutaneous manifestation of decompression sickness: cutis marmorata
Some sources also list a lymphatic version of skin bends.
Another internet source also describes 6 types of skin bend presentations:
From the London Diving Chamber website:
In 1971 the US Naval Submarine Medical Center released "A Review of the Pathogenesis of Skin Bends." http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/749317.pdf. Much of the info in it is obviously obsolete but it is interesting that a review of the literature at that time separated skin bends into six levels or presentations.
!) Pruritus only - "fleas"
2) Scarlatinaform rash - perhaps the most frequent sign, usually not accompanied by more serious forms of DCS
3) Erysipelas - may accompany or proceed the more serious forms of DCS
4) Cutis marmorata - this is "one of the danger signs in diving"
The other levels listed are not seen as isolated skin manifestation but rather result from more serious complications of DCS
5) Serious form - cyanosis and shock
6) Emphysema - intracutanous (?) and subcutaneous
The Navel paper goes on to try and explain each presentation based of the anatomy and physiology of the skin and the skin structures involved in each manifestation. Please refer to posted link for a detailed explanation.
Most of the case presentations that I could find in the medical literature were of the cutis marmorata (also referred to as livedo reticularis in other articles) form.
Alert Diver | Skin Bends
MMS: Error
Medical image. Cutaneous manifestation of decompression sickness: cutis marmorata
Some sources also list a lymphatic version of skin bends.
Another internet source also describes 6 types of skin bend presentations:
From the London Diving Chamber website:
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