Having red spot on leg whether itchy or not itchy, bump or flat, small or big indicates something wrong with your legs. Let us look at causes of red spots on legs, their symptoms, non-itchy red spots and ways to get rid of these spots (treatments and home remedies).
Causes of red dots on legs – why do I have red dots on my legs
There are many causes of red spots on the legs or leg rashes and they can cause dots that vary from mild to severe medical reasons. They could be due to skin coloration or an infection. As you try to understand the possible cause of these red spots, study their shapes and colors and behavior. So let as look at the common causes.
Allergies and irritations
Allergies have the potential to trigger red spot on an individual’s legs and even other parts of the body. Allergic reaction in some people can be linked to certain foods, some medications, temperatures, insect bites among many others.
Allergies for example can trigger atopic dermatitis that leads to eruption of red dots. The connected dots are usually itchy and more common in children than in adults. The red dots sometimes appear like rashes on an individual’s skin.
There is also another condition called contact dermatitis. This body reaction is due to irritants such as latex, cosmetics and other substances when they are exposed to your skin. This condition is normally accompanied by itchy-blistered spots on the legs or any other part of the body that is affected. The best solution for this case is to try to find out the substances that you are allergic to and give them your back.
Eczema
Eczema is another possible cause of dry red spots on legs that may sometimes swell and become painful. You get eczema when the skin reacts to allergies or irritations such as nickel, poison ivy among many more. It can also be due to other illness that attacks immune system for example HIV.
When you have it, eczema may change from skin rashes to healthy skin and bumps at different periods. This condition has some genetic links where some people are predisposed to getting it.
Finally, eczema is more prevalent in children and habitually appears on the legs and other parts of the body such as face and neck.
Red dots on legs due to Psoriasis
This condition usually occurs when the production of skin cells rises beyond the normal level. The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which develops alongside dry, itchy red patches on people’s skin including legs and it is usually accompanied by scaly and silver-white spots. Some other symptoms of psoriasis may have symptoms such as cracked, dry skin, stiff, swollen joints, itching and burning.
Some other conditions that can influence the occurrence of psoriasis condition include injuries, infections, stress, cold weather, smoking and some medications. Actually these conditions can influence the body`s T cells to erroneously attack healthy skin cells rather than the infections
Remember this is a problem of the immune system and it cannot be eradicated completely but there are many therapies available to manage it.
Folliculitis
This condition is commonly experienced in lower legs. It is the inflammation of the hair follicles. According to medguidance.com, folliculitis is commonly triggered by shaving the legs. In some circumstances, they may be very itchy. This condition can be prevented by staying away from shaving and waxing.
Certain medications
Red spots on legs especially lower portions of the legs can also be induced by certain medications. A good example is exposure to cytotoxic drugs used to cure arthritis. This red spot can be due to bleeding experienced under the skin during the application of this therapy. This kind of medication can also occur alongside some other side effects including fever, sore throat, and blood in the urine or abnormal bruising.
Apart from inducing red spots on the legs, certain medications can have severe symptoms that will require immediate medical attention.
Skin cancer
If you or somebody develops red splotches on the lower leg, the reason can be some types of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and Bowen’s disease. These conditions usually develop slowly and their symptoms are actually red marks that can even bleed in some occasions.
The second type of skin cancer is invasive squamous cell carcinoma, it grows rapidly into scaly lumps. These patches should be taken very seriously since they can be life-threatening. Besides other treatments, surgical removal can be a suitable therapy for various types of skin cancers.
Vasculitis
This condition is caused by inflammation of blood vessels in certain part of the body. It can initiate the thickening and weakening of the blood vessels. If not appropriately controlled, it can lead to damaging of tissues and organs surrounding the affected blood vessels.
Livestrong.com indicates that, “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.” Activities threatening the immune system, infections or allergic reactions have the potential to trigger vasculitis.
Hives
Hives also known as urticaria are raised, red bumps that can emerge anywhere in your body. They are majorly caused by exposure to allergens. Hives may be a result of your body reaction towards certain medication, insect bites, pollen, animal dander or exposure to adverse heat or cold among other factors.
Usually, hives can be very itchy. It is a cleverer idea to establish substances you are allergic to and avoid them. You can also be sure to cover your body away from an insect such as bees, wasps, etc., to be very safe from this misfortune. According to American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “Approximately 20 percent of people will get hives in their lifetime”
Watch out for infections
This is another important matter of concern. Usually, our skins are very sensitive to some infections. Some fungal or bacterial infection can lead to various severe skin conditions that can lead to red lesions in the body. Such lesions due to bacteria or fungi can take time before they are fully healed.
Schamberg’s disease
This is a condition triggered when the blood vessels seep close to the skin surface. It is characterized by the onset of reddish-brown spots that usually begin on the legs before extending to other parts of the body such feet, ankles and so forth. Normally the red-brown spots are not painless and come from leaking blood vessels. Why reddish brown color? The release of iron content by the blood cell that forms the reddish brown color.
Dermatofibromas
This refers to a red brown skin problem that develops around the lower legs. It usually occurs alongside firm bumps that can appear tender, itchy or painless in some occasions. Factually, this non-cancerous condition can stay on the skin for quite a long time. Remember, at times when the skin bumps leads to discomfort, seek the medical attention.
Other Causes of red spots on legs
Apart from the mentioned above causes, more potential causes can be linked to red spot that occurs on the legs. These cause may include, ingrown hairs, a reaction to sulpha drugs or birth pills, peripheral artery disease, diabetes mellitus, Erythema nodosum, Scleroderma, insect bites among other causes.
Symptoms and characteristic of red spots on legs
Actually, the occurrence of red dots on the legs can exist alongside some symptoms but this will depend on the type and nature of the involved red spot. On the other side, we also have to admit that not all the red spots will show up their symptoms. Some reds spot on legs sometimes can be itchy and very painful. All in all these spots on legs tend to have variant characteristic and may manifest as any of the following:
- Flat dots
- Fluid-filled
- Raised or bumpy
- Crusted edges
The size in this case can be very small like (small red dot on legs) a pinpoint or it can be very large (big red dots on legs).
The red dots can be numerous or it can be very few depending on the nature of the triggers
The edges of the dots may be well regular or not well defined
It is very important to note that the above symptoms will depend on the underlying causes. These symptoms can also develop alongside headache, nausea and vomiting and even lack of appetite. Note, severe symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Small red spots on legs
What are the tiny red spots (petechiae) on my skin? Actually, the development of small red spots on your legs can very be due to a number of reasons, including the ones we have already mentioned.
According to Jon Caniff, a holistic, certified nutritional practitioner (CNP) from Institute of Holistic Nutrition, Canada, (It is not easy when you can’t explain a particular symptom like this; for example, you may ask yourself if it’s an allergic reaction, or if it’s skin cancer. These dots on the skin are the result of internal bleeding or leaking capillaries. The bleeding will cause red, purple, or brown spots to appear, sometimes in clusters, and it will often look like a rash. Usually, these tiny red spots on the skin are not itchy and flat, and they don’t lose color when touched.”
Signs and symptoms of small red spots on legs
Here are the symptoms that can often accompany tiny red spots on legs:
- Unexplained nosebleeds
- Heavy bleeding during menstrual periods
- A collection of clotted blood under the skin
- Excessive bleeding from the gums;
- Easy bruising or bleeding;
- Joint hemorrhage
Potential causes of tiny red spots on legs
- Prolonged straining
- Injuries and sun burns
- Sepsis
- Allergic reactions
- Malnutrition
- Strep throat
- Scarlet fever
- infectious diseases
Red spots on legs not itchy
Sometimes the occurrence of these red spots can be with no pain or itchiness. Although it is possible for causes of itchy red spots to cause non-itchy red spots on legs, the potential causes of non-itchy red spots as follows:
Birthmarks
This are colored spots on your skin that one is born with. This spots can sometimes be red in color especially the vascular birthmarks and they can affect any part of the body including your legs. These birthmarks are normally caused by abnormal blood vessels in the skin.
Keratosis Pilaris
This harmless skin condition can occur anywhere in the body including the legs. Actually, it is due to overproduction of a protein called keratin. It leads to development of small red bumps that are most common in thighs, buttocks and upper harms but can also develop in the lower legs.
Acne
This is another potential cause of reds pots on legs. This skin condition can trigger symptoms that can range from mild to severe ones. It is usually characterized by skin bumps that sometimes turn non-itchy red or swollen spots.
Angiomas
These are growths the can develop anywhere in your body. They are usually triggered by blood vessels that have clumped together, appear as red domed bumps, and can be non-itchy.
Other cause on non-itchy red dots on legs
Other factors that can as well lead to non-itchy red spots on legs, they include, boils, allergic reaction, heat rash, intertrigo, rosacea, bug bites, measles, Lyme disease, Dermatofibromas, petechiae and diaper rash.
Do not forget that the same causes of non-itchy red spots can also trigger itchy spot and the other way round.
Red spots on legs Treatments
If you are experiencing some red spots on your legs, and you don’t know what do or how to manage them, we are going to look a little on treatments. Well, as we have explained earlier, red spots on the legs or generally on the body can be due to several factors. This renders them no generalized treatment. Therefore, each cause will be treated using right treatment. This is why you must know what is behind your red spots on legs.
Under this section, we are going to discuss how to treat red spots on legs. Whether itchy or non-itchy some of these therapies can be applied in treating both itchy and non-itch red spots. So read below to get more insight.
Topical treatments and creams
Red spots on legs that are due to keratosis Pilaris can be managed using topical treatment. In addition, topical creams have the ability reduce symptoms and to get rid of red spots on the legs and other body parts. Common topical treatments include:
Hydrocortisone cream
In some circumstances, small reds spots on thigh can be caused by irritation. This can be due to inflammation from accumulation of sweat, friction or poor friction. For such conditions, Hydrocortisone cream can help in relieving itchy red spots.
Over the counter anti-fungal cream
This is one of the most important medication to treat red spot on your legs and even some other parts of your body if the cause is fungal infection. There are both topical and oral can help hasten the removal of the red rash on your legs. Results may be noted after a week or so of using antifungal creams or oral ones.
Antihistamine therapy
If the red spots on your legs are due to allergies, antihistamines can be the appropriate medication. Try the over the counter antihistamines. If they do not work, go to a doctor for diagnosis and prescription.
Use of moisturizers
Red bumps on your legs can be made to feel better and greater through application of deeply hydrating moisturizers. However, it also very important to recognize that, for some causes of the red bumps, this kind of therapy can be less fitting.
Gentle cleansing
When suffering from mild red spots, even if they are somewhat bumpy a gentle cleanser can be of some help. However, avoid harsh soaps that dry out the skin and exacerbate the rough texture of the bumps. Remember the soaps should be detergent free.
Warm Compress treatment
Warm compress is effective technique that will help you relieve the pain and heal the big painful red bumps on your legs and thighs. It will also make the bumps that may have turned to boils less inflamed and a bit softer. Yet again, warm compresses will advance the blood circulation in the skin on your leg leading to some relief.
This procedure can be applied by pouring some warm water in to a plastic bag and wrapping it with a towel. You can then place it on the red lump on your legs for around 10 minutes.
Natural remedies for red dots on legs
Essentially, there various natural products that are very applicable in treating skin disorders including red spots on legs. Some of these products can be blended while others can just be used alone. While applying these products, you first have to establish the causes of your red spots. Below are examples of natural remedy products:
- Aloe Vera
- Tee tree oil
- Baby Powder
- Coconut Oil
- Olive oil
What to note
You should note that accurate diagnosis by a dermatologist is very essential before any remedy. The nature of treatment employed depends on the specific cause for your case. Red spots around your legs might not disappear immediately, and hence it is advisable to be patient.