Lower Leg Rash

Any abnormal development found on the skin is normally called a skin rash, while a lower leg rash may be found on the lower part of either one or both the legs. While most lower leg rashes are minor epidermal infections that can be treated locally, some could be serious and an indicator of a major medical condition in a person. There are a few symptoms of a lower leg rash that always requires immediate medical attention. Typically, lower leg rashes exhibit symptoms like itching and a burning sensation on the affected part of the legs. This itching sensation sometimes occurs with stiffness or swelling of the area and skin scaling, which is really difficult to bear.

However, a lower leg rash is not always caused due to a serious health reason and it may also be an outburst of some casual sort of skin allergy. Skin allergies may be caused after physical contact of the lower leg with some allergen. Typically, it is often a case with people who have just returned from hiking or trekking wearing shorts. There are numerous things that people are allergic to, from plants like poison ivy to the cheap elastic used in socks. These reasons make it really difficult for us to judge the exact causes behind the itchy rash on your legs, by mere observation. However, here are some of the predominant causes behind the onslaught of a lower leg rash.

Lower Leg Rash Causes

Most often, it is observed that dermatitis and its various types are the common culprits behind a lower leg rash. However, there are certain other reasons that may also lead to such rashes. The symptoms of a rash will correspond to the cause behind the same. Red spots, red swollen areas, brown spots, and scaly red areas are some common lower leg rash signs. Well, here are some possible reasons that could lead to lower leg rashes.

Dermatitis
Dermatitis and its various types, including neurodermatitis, atopic dermatitis, gravitational dermatitis, contact dermatitis, etc., are actually caused by direct contact to the skin of the infected person or any of the irritants that can cause dermatitis. Various types of dermatitis cause itching of the affected area on the lower leg, which is really difficult to stop. Extreme irritation and continuous scratching then leads to breaking of the affected skin.

Skin Disorders
Skin disorders like psoriasis, edema, non-venous leg ulcers, lichen simplex, pretibial myxoedema, necrobiosis lipoidica, panniculitis, hives (cholinergic urticaria), tinea corporis, prurigo nodularis, and folliculitis can cause a lower leg rash. Skin disorders like eczema, venous eczema (gravitational dermatitis), may also be responsible for a lower leg rash. It is very important to determine the exact reason behind the rash, so that proper medication can be followed.

Skin Allergies
Allergies caused by various allergens present in the environment (as mentioned earlier about hiking and trekking in shorts) can lead on to cause leg rashes. Insect bites, contact with irritants like poison ivy, poison oak, etc., could lead to blister-like forms if not treated immediately. However, rashes that are caused by natural factors usually heal up quite fast, and mostly don't require a lot of treatment other than a topical soothing cream. Sunburn and golfer's vasculitis can also lead to a lower leg rash, which is a resultant of prolonged running, standing, or walking.

Other Causes
There are several other causes that may lead to a lower leg rash which may seem to have no direct bearing with the leg rash, but somewhere are responsible for the onslaught. These reasons may include:

• Diabetes, thyroid gland disease (especially hypothyroidism), several autoimmune diseases like Grave's disease, etc.
• Red dots or blemishes present on the legs may also indicate skin cancer, which besides the rash is mostly asymptomatic.
• Badly circulated blood may cause red blemishes just under the skin that may or may not be raised. They aren't normally itchy and may recur every few days. Primarily due to weak veins or diabetes, treatment may differ.

Treatment Options

Treatment for a lower leg rash definitely depends on the exact cause and origin of the rash. It is very important to take some primary healing methods for the condition. Conditions like golfer's vasculitis may fade when the person takes proper rest (say for 8 to 10 hours), while a lower leg rash caused due to skin allergies may also disappear after proper treatment measures are observed. Timely treatment for dry skin, avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, avoiding skin care products that may contain substances that you are allergic to, efforts to minimize the swelling of the lower leg rash and having adequate rest, etc., are some primary measures that one can take, in the absence of a health care provider.

In case the lower leg rash is persistent and seems to be increasing, the person must visit the doctor to have it examined. A dermatologist is of course the best judge to examine the condition and prescribe the required medication. In severe cases, a mere physical examination may not be enough, the doctor will require skin cultures and tissue samples for a diagnosis. In most cases, a lower leg rash may resolve with the support of a few prescribed skin creams or medication, provided it is treated in time. So, make sure to visit a health care provider and get the cause evaluated.

In Conclusion
Do not ignore the signals that your body gives out when it feels that something isn't right. Doing so may make matters worse and extend the pain and the treatment time. People are normally a little reserved when it comes to having a skin infection shown to the doctor, this may be one of the reasons that may deter you from getting it treated, understand that it is alright to do so and that dermatologists are meant to have a look and examine your skin. So hide your inhibitions and just get it looked at and treated once and for all. Take care.