The emergence of red blotches on legs could be due to many reasons that range from allergies, infections or insect bites and could include several other factors as well. In this following article we will get into a little more detail about what causes red blotches on legs and how to treat them.
Red blotches are red spots or areas of the skin that turn a tinge of red. These could appear anywhere on the body and could come about due to a number of reasons that include infections, certain health conditions or even insect bites. In certain cases, these areas might become itchy as well and lead to further discomfort. In this following article we will be talking about what it means to have red blotches on legs (itchy or non-itchy), why they come about and how to get rid of them.
Causes
Allergic Reaction
The most common cause of itchy red blotches on the legs is due to an allergic reaction to something. It could either be allergies that are brought about by food – like some people are lactose intolerant or are allergic to nuts and seeds; or it could be due to a reaction to some foreign object like a particular material of clothing or a substance. For example there are many who are allergic to a particular cream or the wax that is used. These are of course just examples and the substances that one is allergic to could be several. What usually manifests from an allergic reaction is a crazy itch, swelling and red blotches on the affected area. There are several plants that could bring about allergies and cause red blotches after walking through them as well as well, like different types of poison ivies.
Sometimes, medication forms may also lead to side effects in the form of allergies and bring about red blotches on the skin. Medicines like cytotoxic drugs (administered for arthritis) may typically lead to red spots on the legs.
Insect Bites
Insect bites have a tendency of turning the skin into red spots. These could form on the legs or any other body part for that matter. There are several insects that can lead to this reaction on the skin. Examples include sand fleas, bed bugs, garden fleas and others. You’ll notice that the person whose leg has been bitten will have his leg or both legs or certain patches on both legs turn red and an itching sensation will be in place. This itching sensation might be accompanied by bruises and swelling along with these red spots on legs.
Diseases and Infections
There are several diseases that lead to the formation of red skin blotches. Here are some of those skin disorders.
- Eczema ~ This skin disorder results in severe scratching of patches on the skin. Eczema then results in the formation of red blotches that get filled with pus, start crusting over and flake.
- Psoriasis ~ Psoriasis is another skin disease that is caused by the over-production of cells in the body and results in a skin rash that leads to red blotches on legs and on other parts of the body.
- Scleroderma ~ This is another common skin problem that is caused when there is an excess production of collagen that results in conditions such as inflammation, hardening of the skin, and red blotches on the legs.
- Vasculitis ~ In this health condition, the blood vessels in the body become inflamed and may start to thicken or weaken. This most commonly leads to red blotches on the skin, along with causing numbness and weakness in that area.
There are certain other skin disorders that could lead to the formation of red blotches on the skin as well. Some of these are purpura and rosacea.
Circulation Problems
People who have very sensitive skin or those who have a problem of poor blood circulation are most likely to suffer from blotchy skin on legs. When there is less circulation of blood, the blood flow gets restricted and less blood flows to a particular area – such that the blood will either flow in parts or not at all. The same thing happens in the case of a bruise. When you knock against something and the blood is prevented from clotting, it’ll result in the formation of red blotches on or red spots on the skin. The color will slowly turn to a purple tinge and then yellow before fading away completely.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions have a major role to play in this as well. Overexposure to the sun or extreme climates (dry, windy, humid) can cause the skin to breakout into red spots and blotches. The harmful UV rays are responsible for causing damage to the skin, while the dry and cold climates cause the skin to dry out, flake and cause red blotches on the legs along with the rest of the body.
Treatment
There are several forms of treatment methods that need to be administered depending on the cause of the red blotches. Being aware of one’s allergies and what causes them can act as a great preventive measure. As far as the skin disorders are concerned, they can be prevented as well by eating a healthy diet and moisturizing the skin effectively. For severe disorders, a visit to the doctor becomes imperative. The doctor will prescribe certain medication forms depending on the severity of the disease.
For instant relief, one can wash their feet with warm water and an antibacterial wash and then apply an anti-septic cream over the red blotches. Massaging with an ice pack is also known to yield great results. Make sure that you are fully covered when venturing out in harsh conditions and are following a good skin routine.
Now that you know what causes red blotches to appear and what one is to do about them, it won’t cause unnecessary panic and confusion. Instead, you will be able to administer proper skin care. But if there is any doubt regarding the same then you can contact a doctor and deal with it like thus.
Disclaimer ~ This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
