What Causes Red Blotches on Legs?
A variety of conditions can cause red blotches to develop on the legs. Because of the many different disorders that may lead to the development of red blotches on the legs, your health care provider will ask if you are experiencing other symptoms. Red blotches may indicate a serious health concern or be a minor annoyance, depending on their cause.
Eczema
Eczema results in swollen, red and itchy patches of skin. Eczema can result from exposure to irritants or be caused by another illness. Common irritants include nickel, such as from jewelry, and poison ivy. People with illnesses that affect the immune system, such as HIV, may develop eczema as a secondary condition. There may also be a genetic component to eczema, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 3.
- Eczema results in swollen, red and itchy patches of skin.
- People with illnesses that affect the immune system, such as HIV, may develop eczema as a secondary condition.
Psoriasis
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Psoriasis causes dry, itchy red patches that can also be painful. Psoriasis is a chronic condition, which sometimes flares up and other times goes into remission, according to the Mayo Clinic 12. Psoriasis is a condition of the immune system. The body's T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells rather than infection. Flareups are caused by injury, infection, stress, cold weather, smoking and some medications.cause:
- Flareups are caused by injury
- infection
- stress
- cold weather
- smoking
- some medications
- Psoriasis causes dry, itchy red patches that can also be painful.
- Psoriasis is a chronic condition, which sometimes flares up and other times goes into remission, according to the Mayo Clinic 1.
Hives
Hives develop as a reaction to exposure to an allergen. They are raised, red bumps that can develop anywhere on the body, including the legs. Hives often itch.
Vasculitis
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Vasculitis is a condition where the blood vessels in one part of the body become inflamed 1. This can lead to changes, such as thickening and weakening, in the blood vessels. Unmanaged, vasculitis can lead to tissue and organ death in the area surrounding the affected blood vessels 1. In addition to red blotches, symptoms of vasculitis include pain, loss of appetite and numbness and weakness in the affected area, such as the legs 1. Vasculitis develops when your body attacks the blood vessels, which may happen as a result of immune system problems, infections or an allergic reaction 1. In many cases, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of vasculitis 1.
Cytotoxic Drugs
Exposure to cytotoxic medications, which are typically used as a treatment for arthritis, can have the side effect of pinhead-sized red spots on the lower legs. These spots signal bleeding under the skin and should be reported to your health care provider. Other side effects of cytotoxic drugs include a sore throat, chills, fever, unusual bruising and blood in the urine.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Vasculitis
- Mayo Clinic: Psoriasis
- American Academy of Dermatology: What is Eczema?
- Barile-fabris L, Hernández-cabrera MF, Barragan-garfias JA. Vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2014;16(9):440. doi:10.1007/s11926-014-0440-9
- Vasculitis Syndromes of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health. August 2018.
- Vasculitis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. October 2019.
- Hajj-Ali RA, Calabrese LH. Primary Angiitis of the Central Nervous System. Cleveland Clinic. 2015.
- Berlit P. Diagnosis and treatment of cerebral vasculitis. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2010;3(1):29-42. doi: 10.1177/1756285609347123
- Castañer E, Alguersuari A, Gallardo X, et al. When to suspect pulmonary vasculitis: radiologic and clinical clues. Radiographics. 2010;30(1):33-53. doi:10.1148/rg.301095103
- Ku JH, Ali A, Suhler EB, Choi D, Rosenbaum JT. Characteristics and visual outcome of patients with retinal vasculitis. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012;130(10):1261-6. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2012.1596
- Copin P, Zins M, Nuzzo A, et al. Acute mesenteric ischemia: A critical role for the radiologist. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2018;99(3):123-134. doi:10.1016/j.diii.2018.01.004
- Castro C, Gourley M. Diagnostic testing and interpretation of tests for autoimmunity. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;125(2 Suppl 2):S238-47. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2009.09.041
- Sharma P, Sharma S, et al. Systemic Vasculitis. Am Fam Physician. 2011;83(5):556-565.
- Okazaki T, Shinagawa S, Mikage H. Vasculitis syndrome-diagnosis and therapy. J Gen Fam Med. 2017;18(2):72-78. doi:10.1002/jgf2.4
- Barile-Fabris, L., Hernandez-Cabrera, M., and J. Barragan-Garfias. Vasculitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Current Rheumatology Reports. 2014. 16(9):440.
- Kasper, Dennis L.., Anthony S. Fauci, and Stephen L.. Hauser. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: Mc Graw-Hill Education, 2015. Print.
- Shinjo, S., and E. Bonfa. Cutaneous Vasculitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Association with Anti-Ribosomal P Protein Antibody and Raynaud Phenomenon. Clinical Rheumatology. 2011. 30(2):173-7.