Red Blotches Under the Skin on the Legs
The skin is extremely important for protecting your body from infection, controlling your body temperature and helping you to sense pain. Because your skin covers your body and is in connection with the rest of your tissues through lymph channels and nerve cells, it is a common site of response to illness. The body responds to infection or illness by changing the skin’s color and texture in various locations, including red blotches that can indicate an underlying concern.
Identification
If you have had a recent injury, including a small cut or scrape, you can develop a bacterial infection that can spread on the skin of your legs. This is known as cellulitis and occurs when bacteria infect the tissue beneath your skin; causing redness and swelling. According the University of Maryland Medical Center, the condition may occur anywhere, but most commonly affects the legs. Because it is caused by a bacterial infection, cellulitis is commonly treated with antibiotics to reduce redness and control further spread.
- If you have had a recent injury, including a small cut or scrape, you can develop a bacterial infection that can spread on the skin of your legs.
- Because it is caused by a bacterial infection, cellulitis is commonly treated with antibiotics to reduce redness and control further spread.
Allergic Reaction
Causes of a Skin Rash on Hands and Feet
Learn More
Red blotches under the skin on your legs may be caused by an allergic reaction. When you are allergic to something in the environment, your body protects itself by releasing substances into the bloodstream. These substances often affect the skin and may produce red blotches on the body, including your legs. The blotches on your legs may be raised or itchy. People are allergic to various items in the environment, including pollen, some types of medication, detergents and foods. If you think you have been exposed to an allergen, your skin may be reacting by producing red blotches.
- Red blotches under the skin on your legs may be caused by an allergic reaction.
- If you think you have been exposed to an allergen, your skin may be reacting by producing red blotches.
Erythema Multiforme
Erythema multiforme is a condition that causes patches of red skin that may be raised or itchy. The condition occurs as a result of the herpes simplex virus and may also be associated with cold sores or a fever. It can also be caused as a reaction to medication or a recent immunization. Red, blotchy skin may last for approximately two to four weeks before resolving on its own; although the condition may be ongoing and reddened skin may recur.
- Erythema multiforme is a condition that causes patches of red skin that may be raised or itchy.
- Red, blotchy skin may last for approximately two to four weeks before resolving on its own; although the condition may be ongoing and reddened skin may recur.
Significance
What Causes Red Blotches on Legs?
Learn More
Some people develop red skin on the legs due to an autoimmune disorder. This type of disorder occurs when the body recognizes its own parts as foreign and attacks the offending tissue. This produces varied results, but may lead to pain or skin problems, depending on the type of disorder. For example, the autoimmune disease lupus produces red lesions that may worsen with exposure to sunlight. Lupus is also associated with other symptoms, including mouth sores and muscle pain, so reddened skin may only be one manifestation of the disease 1.
- Some people develop red skin on the legs due to an autoimmune disorder.
- This produces varied results, but may lead to pain or skin problems, depending on the type of disorder.
Considerations
Because many skin rashes and infections can mimic each other in appearance, it may be difficult to determine the exact cause of red, blotchy skin on your legs. If you have other symptoms; including pain, fever or joint swelling; or if your skin is also swollen, itchy or oozing fluid, contact your doctor for treatment as these can be signs of a larger infection.
Related Articles
References
- Lupus Foundation of America: The Skin
- National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriasis. Updated October 1, 2020.
- Rachakonda TD, Schupp CW, Armstrong AW. Psoriasis prevalence among adults in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70(3):512-6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.11.013
- Scleroderma Foundation. Patients and newly diagnosed.
- Sontheimer RD. What is cutaneous lupus? Lupus Foundation of America. Updated July 12, 2013.
- Medline. Myositis. Updated July 8, 2020.
- American College of Rheumatology. Juvenile dermatomyositis. Updated March 2019.
- Cleveland Clinic. Behçet's disease. Updated June 2, 2020.
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid. Updated December 2019.
- Cleveland Clinic. Pemphigus. Updated July 8, 2019.
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
- Cleveland Clinic. Bullous pemphigoid. Updated October 19, 2019.
- Benedetti J. Structure and function of the skin. Updated April 2019.
- Vesely MD. Getting under the skin: Targeting cutaneous autoimmune disease. Yale J Biol Med. 2020;93(1):197-206
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Definition of autoimmunity.
- Medline Plus. Autoimmune disorders. Updated April 8, 2019.
- Mysorekar VV, Sumathy TK, Shyam et al. Role of direct immunofluorescence in dermatological disorders. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(3):172-180. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.156386
Resources
Writer Bio
Meg Brannagan has worked as a registered nurse for more than 10 years, specializing in women's and children's health. She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.