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Red Dots on Legs

The incident of red dots on the legs can be frustrating and bothersome and can be uncomfortable especially when the dots that appeared are itchy. It can also be cosmetically challenging as the location can be very visible.

While red dots on legs are bothersome, most of which are benign and nothing to give a major concern. The cause of the onset of red dots on legs is quite numerous and the characteristics are various depending on the cause. Although most cases of red dots on legs are not serious, it is still important to consult a doctor or dermatologist before treating the red dots.

Red dots on legs can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender and racial belonging. It is a skin condition that almost all people get to experience at point in their lives. The characteristics of red dots however are varying and the symptoms and characteristics of the red dots are different from one person to another. For instance, a patient can have flat red dots that are not itchy while the other patient can have raised dots that are itchy.

Most cases of red dots on legs are not serious or life-threatening. It can, however, have serious complications if the red dots on legs are itchy. Itchy red dots often cause patient to scratch incessantly just to relieve the itchiness. Scratching is what can lead simple red dots on legs to a more serious medical condition. This is especially true when incessant scratching results to an open wound or deep scratches potential for infection. When the infection becomes uncontrollable, this can pose a serious threat to the health of a patient if not potentially fatal. The onset of red dots on legs can be a condition itself or can be a symptom indicating an underlying condition.

Symptoms of Red Dots on Legs

The symptoms of red dots on legs depend on the type of the red dots that appeared or the nature of the red dots. There are red dots that do not usually cause any symptoms except that it is bothersome and cosmetically disturbing. There are red dots on legs that can be so itchy and may also be associated with pain.

The causes of red dots on legs are various and the symptoms are varying depending on the cause or of the associated disease. Red dots on legs have different characteristics and which may appear as any of the following:

Raised or bumpy
Crusted edges
Flat dots
Fluid-filled
The size can be very small like a pinpoint or it can be very large
The red dots can be numerous or it can be very few
The edges of the dots may be well defined or may be irregular

The symptoms of red dots on legs depend on the underlying cause such as:

Onset of low grade or high grade fever
Intense itchiness may be experienced
Pain may or may not be present
Flu like symptoms may occur depending on the cause of red dots on legs
The onset may be prolonged
Red dots can also extend to any part of the body aside from its onset on the legs
The patient may also experience lack of appetite
Headache
Nausea and vomiting

What are the Causes of Red Dots on Legs?

There are generally many reasons for red dots on legs to occur. The causes of red dots on legs range from mild to serious and the incident can be resolved from a certain period of time while other cases may be chronic or may remain on the skin for a lifetime.

The causes of red dots on legs may include the following:

Insect bite may cause red dots to appear not only in the legs but also in some other parts of the body that are usually exposed.

Certain medications can cause red dots on legs such as exposure to cytotoxic drugs that are used to treat arthritis. The appearance of red dots on legs and in the lower legs during medication with cytotoxic drugs could be a symptom of bleeding under the skin.

Allergies can cause red dots on legs and other parts of the body. The allergic reaction could be from certain food, medication, temperature and others. Atopic dermatitis for instance is one common cause of red dots to appear not only in the legs but also to some areas of the body. This is usually itchy and prevalent in children than in adults and the red dots usually appear as rashes on the skin. Contact dermatitis on the other hand is a response of the body from an irritant such as the use of detergent soap, latex, cosmetics and others that come in contact with the skin.

Folliculitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the hair follicles due to infection. Folliculitis usually occurs in the lower legs and onset may or may not be itchy.

Schamberg’s disease is a condition that resulted from the blood vessels seeping close to the surface of the skin. This condition is characterized by the onset or reddish-brown spots that usually begin on the legs before extending to other parts of the body.

Erythema nodosum is a rare skin condition that often affects the fatty layer of the skin that causes red spots on the lower legs. The onset of red dots on the legs is associated with symptoms such as fever, body ache and pain.

Psoriasis is a condition characterized by the overproduction of the skin cell reaching a level of beyond the average production of skin cell. Psoriasis is among the common cause of red dots to appear not only in the legs but also in some other parts of the body. The most common of psoriasis is the plaque psoriasis which causes red dots to appear which is surrounded by silvery white scales.

There are so many reasons for the red dots on legs to appear. The onset of red dots on legs can be a skin condition itself or it can be a manifestation of other medical condition.

Treatment

The treatment of red dots on legs depends on the underlying cause. There are red dots that resolve right after treatment has been applied while there are cases where red dots remain or recur despite treatment.

It is important to determine the cause of red to dots to appear on the legs prior to application of treatment. It is also very important that a doctor or dermatologist be consulted prior to treatment as only health professionals can determine the best treatment. Allergens or trigger of allergies should best be avoided when symptoms appear including the onset of red dots on legs and to some other parts of the body.