https://dermnetnz.org/topics/livedo-reticularis, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594389/, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001478.htm, Livedo reticularis: A review of the literature. Blotchy Skin On Legs Blotchy skin on legs is also known as mottled skin. A doctor may: A doctor will also ask when the symptoms began and if other symptoms are present to determine the source of the problem. 1 job is to protect your body from disease and infection. People with dark skin may notice patches of purple or gray, while those with lighter skin may experience red blotchiness. This can create purple spots on the skin that range in size from small dots to large patches. Mottled skin may be a sign that a persons body is in septic shock. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Its important to discover the reason behind the problem. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. This condition differs from one person to another person in the aspect of appearance. When a person has livedo reticularis a blotchy or web-like pattern of red, blue, or purple lines appears across the skin. See additional information. If you have poor circulation, its important to exercise and move. Polymorphous light eruption on arm. Read on to learn how to avoid some common pitfalls. Livedo reticularis as a presenting sign of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Many cases are temporary, brought on by exposure to irritating influences like the sun. Avoiding alcohol can prevent symptoms and resolve blotchiness. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Your outlook depends on the type and cause. And one of the symptoms of lupus is mottled skin. This could be a sign of an allergic reaction or an infection. If a blood clotting disorder is causing the purpura, it could cause severe or fatal bleeding. When mottled skin is accompanied by other symptoms, it can be due to shock, and this requires immediate medical attention. Common causes of thrombocytopenic purpura are: Common causes of nonthrombocytopenic purpura are: Purpura isnt a medical condition. Certain conditions may make you more prone to purpura such as low platelet counts or a blood clotting disorder. Because mottled skin is not a medical term, people may also use it to describe several other skin conditions and rashes. Lifestyle changes can help strengthen nails and get them where wed like them to be. It can be caused by conditions that range from mild, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. In adults, purpura is usually a sign of an underlying condition but can also resolve without treatment. APS, or Hughes syndrome, is an autoimmune condition that mostly affects young to middle-aged adults. It tends to occur along the neck, chest, and upper back. However, purpura can become chronic in severe cases or when treatment is delayed. Mottled skin caused by cold environments can often be resolved with home remedies and cold-reducing measures. In rare cases, thrombocytopenic purpura thats left untreated may cause a person to develop excessive bleeding in some part of their body. The initial signs of senile purpura are purple or red bruises that have an irregular shape. Purpura can develop anywhere on your skin. When an itchy rash develops on the arms or legs, the first step to treatment is identifying the cause. Sajjan VV, et al. Mottled skin, along with red or purple skin patches, is a common symptom of APS. Alteration of skin perfusion in mottling area during septic shock. Mottled skin refers to the appearance of the skin when there is a. It's common for pregnancy to change skin tone. Shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus that causes chickenpox and leads to a painful rash and blotchy skin. We avoid using tertiary references. See a doctor if this is the caseit may be a reaction to a medication, such as an anticoagulant or diuretic. Mottling of the skin in the hands can be due to cold temperature, which decreases the circulation of blood, adverse effects of medications like Minocycline, Gemcitabine, Catecholamines, etc., shock, lupus, vascular diseases, end-of-life stage, etc. Doctors do not know what specifically caused the rashes in these people. There are many types of rashes. The spots appear differently depending on your skin tone. Once the person is in the hospital or emergency room, they will likely receive oxygen and intravenous fluids and undergo tests so doctors can determine the underlying cause. But instead of falling off, they pile up on the skin and cause itching, burning, and stinging. Purple Purple spots that don't turn white with pressure may be purpura, a condition caused by bleeding underneath the skin. Learn about the causes, including pregnancy and liver cirrhosis. In some cases, livedo reticularis is idiopathic, which means doctors cannot identify a cause. Potential side effects include: Biologic therapy, such as the drug rituximad (Rituxan), can help decrease the immune system response. Discuss ways to help you cope with purpura (such as covering up the spots). Once your healthcare provider determines the discolored skin spots are purpura, they must determine whats causing it. If left untreated, it can cause organ damage. Drugs help in preventing the narrowing of arteries. Caused by blocked-off sweat glands, heat rash can become infected and trigger a fever. The patches of discolored skin can be red, purple, or blue. The hives appear as red welts, which are large, raised bumps on the skin. They can show up anywhere on the body . Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also known as IgA vasculitis) is a disorder that causes the small blood vessels in your skin, joints, intestines and kidneys to become inflamed and bleed. Some people even experience them as a result of exercise. High-impact activities can increase your risk of injury, bruising, and bleeding. This can affect both adults and children, but it is more common in children and young women. Shock requires immediate medical attention. Your healthcare provider should treat bleeding or bruising under your skin (that isnt from a known injury), as it may be a sign of a more serious condition. End of Life-Stage: For patients who experience mottling of skin in the last stage of life, treatment will focus on keeping the person comfortable. It can cause a serious disruption in normal day-to-day activities and make sleeping near impossible. The most common type of cutaneous T cell lymphoma, MF occurs when cancerous T cells are present in the skin with a characteristic presentation of patches, plaques, and sometimes tumor-like. Purpura can be a sign of a severe disease or underlying condition. What Causes a Cancer Lump on the Back of the Head? It usually lasts for about a few weeks and is managed by stress-relieving techniques. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries. Folliculitis occurs when a hair follicle becomes inflamed or infected. Petechiae (puh-TEE-kee-ee) commonly appear in clusters and may look like a rash. DOI: Gibson LE. Vascular conditions include: Other symptoms will vary based on the specific vascular disease and may include breathing problems, pain, or fatigue. (2018). Heat rash can cause pain, itching, and a pins and needles feeling. If you deal with extreme temperatures, these tips may help you stay safe. This pattern will usually appear red, bluish, purple, or brown. Purpura occurs when small blood vessels burst, causing blood to pool under the skin. Purpura causes red, purple or brown blood spots on your skin. More than 85 million Americans contend with some type of skin disorder. Mottled skin might be accompanied by other additional symptoms based on the medications, such as allergies, nausea, fatigue, etc. Photosensitivity. Lupus: Symptoms. The patchy appearance of skin with discolorations that can be red, purple, or blue is called blotchy skin. Marked regional endothelial dysfunction in mottled skin area in patients with severe infections. Rarely, mottled skin in babies can occur because of cutaneous marmorata telangiectatica congenita, a genetic condition that causes blood vessels to form differently than usual. 4. Scab in the Ear: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment, Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Acne, Skin Plaque Appearance, Causes, and Diagnosis, Causes and Treatments for Skin Inflammation, Why Does My Skin Itch? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Heat rash is more common in children and can occur after spending time outdoors in the heat, humidity, or sun, or after engaging in a strenuous activity. It results in white or light brown patches on the skin, often found on the chest or back. When it does, your doctor will discontinue the drug. 15 Most often, it's a progressive condition that follows disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and septic shock in a response to inflammation. 13. If youre bleeding under your skin, it can appear as one larger patch (bruise) or several smaller dots (petechiae). This article outlines some of the many potential causes of blotchy skin. (2015). Mottling score and skin temperature in septic shock: Relation and impact on prognosis in ICU. Depending on the severity of the condition, psoriasis can be treated with creams or ointments, medications, or ultraviolet light therapy. Eczema is an umbrella term for seven different conditions that can cause inflammation and itchiness. Purpura spots are generally benign, but may indicate a more serious medical condition, such as a blood clotting disorder. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. A person with acute pancreatitis can get mottled skin. Autoimmune rapidly spreading across body.". . There is no cure for lupus, although treatment can help manage symptoms. And it may occur as a side effect of certain medications. Drugs that are known to cause mottled skin are: Lupus is a condition that occurs when our bodys immune system attacks our own tissue and organs. What Does A Swollen Lymph Node In The Female Groin Indicate? When to see a doctor The condition usually clears up without treatment. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If you've ever felt your cheeks and neck flush after a few sips of a cocktail, you may have experienced alcohol flush syndrome. This condition differs from one person to another person in the aspect of appearance. However, if someone has cutis marmorata or another condition that affects body temperature or circulation, taking steps to stay warm and boost blood flow may help. It causes sudden low blood pressure, leading to reduced blood flow to the skin. Lupus-specific skin disease and skin problems. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 11 /13. Children typically recover quickly and without treatment. Rash 101 in Adults: When to seek medical treatment. Some of the causes, like cold weather exposure, can be avoided. People with hypothyroidism will need to take synthetic thyroid hormones. They may ask about your family and personal health history, such as when the spots first appeared. It is usually irregular in appearance and can be due to temporary or permanent causes. Livedo. Usually, this benign condition goes away on its own. Swelling: The affected area may appear swollen or puffy compared to. Below are a few of the causes associated with mottled skin. Along with mottling, if there is an increase or decrease in the average temperature of the baby, it needs immediate medical intervention. These medications include aspirin and ibuprofen. National Institute of Health. These other symptoms may include: fever. Tinea versicolor. The bruises are not the result of bleeding disorders, a lack of vitamins or minerals, or a sign of a. A rarer, related condition called livedo racemosa may be caused by a serious underlying condition. There are different types of purpura. (2015). The levels of platelets can help identify the cause of the purpura and will help your doctor determine the best method of treatment. PIH can be difficult to treat, even with such things as a prescription-strength medication, chemical peel, and laser treatment. - Scarlet fever. According to MedScape.com, skin that is mottled develops a visible network of blotchy patches that can be anywhere from a red to dark purple color with pale skin in the middle. Heres a gentle yoga routine to help. It may be possible to prevent mottled skin in some cases. Once your healthcare provider determines the cause, they can: As with most treatments, there are potential side effects. Mottled skin in newborn babies is usually the result of cutis marmorata. Anyone's skin can be damaged by the sun. Babies will usually grow out of cutis marmorata within a few weeks or months, but it can persist into adulthood.
