Skin Rashes on Legs

Majority of skin rashes on legs are nothing but inflammation of the skin. Itchy skin rashes on legs are often annoying, discomfortable and at times, even painful. A proper dermatological treatment is required to cure the skin rashes that do not get cured on their own. A good understanding of the symptoms, types of skin rashes on legs along with their probable causes will prove to be of great help in their treatment as well as in their prevention. Let's start with the symptoms.

Symptoms of Skin Rashes on Legs

• Appearance of red little bumps on the skin
• Burning sensation on the affected area of the skin
• A small rise in the temperature of the affected skin
• The affected skin becomes drier and cracked

Different Types of Skin Rashes on Legs

Atopic Dermatitis: The common causes of atopic dermatitis are mutation in the filaggrin gene, some sort of defect in the skin cells and immune system, and microbiological infection. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by severe itching and acute flare-ups. In older children, it is found to occur on the feet and ankles while in adults, it is mostly seen behind the knees.

Panniculitis: Panniculitis is a type of disease that involves inflammation of the fatty layer present under the skin. It can be caused by cold temperatures, injury to the skin, and exposure of the skin to certain substances such as corticosteroids, vitamin K and morphine. It is a common type of skin rashes on legs, in children.

Discoid Eczema: The identifying features of discoid eczema are somewhat non-itchy round and oval plaques. It is caused by injury to the skin that occurs on insect bite, thermal burns and surgical wounds. The discoid eczema type skin rashes on legs may also be triggered by Staphylococcus aureus infection. It appears as a single lesion in one leg but gradually spreads as multiple lesions to both the legs, and thereafter to the body trunk and arms.

Capillaritis: The inflammation of the superficial capillaries beneath the skin is known as capillaritis. This type of skin rash on legs is caused by viral infection, skin hypersensitivity reaction, standing for long periods and skin's reaction to medicines containing salicylates. Capillaritis appears as non-blanching spots that are brownish in color.

Varicose Eczema: People suffering from varicose veins commonly develop varicose eczema. Such skin rashes on legs are identified as red, patchy and flaky skin, especially around the ankles. Varicose eczema is a kind of discoid inflammation in which the varicose veins of either or both the legs are affected. The best method of treatment is the surgical removal of the defective veins.

Contact Dermatitis: The skin rashes on legs occurring due to over-exposure of the skin to bathing soaps, topical antibiotics and fragrances is known as contact dermatitis. It can also be triggered by some kind of allergy and wearing tight socks for long periods. The identifying features are blisters that ooze out pus on itching.

Gravitational Dermatitis: Gravitational dermatitis is a type of skin rash on legs that results due to valvular damage in leg veins, deep venous thrombosis and cellulitis. You will find formation of red blisters that ooze, crust and crack.

Psoriasis: Presence of symmetrical, scaly, red-colored plaques indicate a type of skin rash on legs called psoriasis. It is caused by a defect in the immune system. Under normal conditions, T-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) fight against foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria to help in the healing of the wound. However, if you are suffering from psoriasis, then the T-lymphocytes act on healthy skin cells as if to fight an infection. Factors that may trigger psoriasis are heavy consumption of alcohol, smoking, stress and cold weather.

Prurigo Nodularis: The skin rashes on legs that include nodules up to 3 cm in diameter, which are extremely itchy and do not heal fast are known as prurigo nodularis. They mostly occur on the lower regions of the legs. The exact medical reason behind the occurrence of prurigo nodularis is unknown. However, majority of the patients suffering from atopic dermatitis, asthma or hay fever tend to develop such skin rashes on legs. It generally commences as an insect bite reaction or some other form of dermatitis. It is also associated with some diseases such as anemia, renal failure, HIV infection and gluten enteropathy. Read more on common skin rashes

Home Remedies for Skin Rashes on Legs

• Apply olive oil to the skin rashes that itch to get fast relief.
• Spread cod liver oil mixed with vitamin E supplements on the skin rashes on legs.
• You can also apply aloe vera gel on the affected skin. It reduces itching to a great extent.
• Cover the affected area with baking powder. It also helps in reducing itch.
• Keep the legs clean and dry. Use chamomile tea for cleaning the leg skin.
• Add 2-3 cups of uncooked oatmeal to the bathing water. Bathing with this water relieves irritation.

See also:

• Skin Rashes on Face
• Skin Rashes in Children

Try out the above mentioned home remedies for skin rashes on legs. If the symptoms do not go away, do consult a dermatologist for medical assistance.