Active modern life so engages each of us in our frenzied rhythm that sometimes we have to remember our own health only when some obvious symptoms appear. One of them is redness of the skin on the legs, often accompanied by itching. Having a very different appearance (allergies, insect bites, bruises, injuries, inflammatory processes in the body), red-pink spots can be dotted or completely cover the skin of the legs.
Insect bites
One of the causes of redness of the skin is insect bites, and the largest peak of such foreign interventions occurs in the hot season.
Blood-sucking (ticks, mosquitoes) inject a substance under the skin that prevents blood coagulation. The body reacts to this with reddening of the skin and sensations of itching. In such cases, you should use drugs whose action is aimed at disinfecting, soothing and removing the inflammatory process. In addition, modern means are aimed at preventing the development of an allergic reaction: they do not allow an increase in edema and relieve the sensation of itching.
Such drugs are available in various forms: gels, balms, aerosols, plasters, pencils. The most effective are creams. Thanks to the fatty component in their composition, they ensure the rapid penetration of drug components inside.
Of the preparations for insect bites that are presented on the consumer market, the most effective ones are Levomekol, Menovazin, Hydrocortisone Ointment, Soventol, Fenistil, Advantan, Akriderm. Folk recipes recommend to attach a half of raw potatoes (cut side) or a cabbage leaf to the affected area.
Inconvenient clothes and tight shoes
Redness on the leg can be caused by tight clothing (pants, tights, leggings) or tight shoes. The skin is deprived of the ability to breathe normally, as a result of which it begins to redden and itch.
Depilation can also lead to the appearance of red spots. Traumatic to the outer layer of the epidermis, it causes hyperemia - increased blood supply to the affected area.
Bruises
Redness of the skin on the legs may be the result of a bruise, in which there is swelling of the soft tissues and the possible development of a hematoma. Often, a bruise is accompanied by swelling and blueness of the skin, painful sensations, and sometimes impaired joint function. It is recommended to relieve swelling and redness by conducting warming physiotherapy, electrophoresis and magnetotherapy. From folk remedies, puffiness can be reduced by decoction of calendula and wormwood in the form of warm lotions.
In complex cases (in case of violation of the integrity of a large vessel, inability to move a leg, limp), the use of antibiotics is recommended, after a mandatory consultation with a doctor. If legs hurt, which doctor should I go to? In this case, the help of specialists such as a dermatologist, therapist and surgeon will become relevant.
Allergic dermatitis
Itching and redness on the legs can often be caused by allergic dermatitis, which is also manifested by the appearance of pale pink spots, blisters and scaly red rashes. Moreover, the affected area is characterized by clear edges. Most often, dermatitis affects the most delicate areas on the legs - the inner side of the hips and knees. With untimely treatment, inflammation can spread to a large area.
The most common cause of this allergy is hypersensitivity to chromates, salts of chromic acid, which is a common component of shoe leather. Allergic dermatitis is also a reaction to antibiotics, food allergens, household chemicals, washing powder, synthetic clothes and improper shoes. If legs hurt, which doctor should I go to?
Specialists in the treatment of allergic dermatitis are a dermatologist and an allergist. Therapy of allergic dermatitis primarily consists in eliminating contact with the allergen and conducting drug therapy with antihistamines and antifungal drugs. Positive dynamics will be observed in relieving acute symptoms of the disease, reducing the intensity of itching, reducing skin inflammation, slowing down the process of cell division. In case of complications, the use of antibiotics is possible.
Psoriasis
Leg psoriasis is a chronic skin dermatitis; there is redness on the leg, severe itching, the appearance of single inflamed papules, which are transformed over time into psoriatic plaques with silver-white, easily removed by scraping the scales.
The disease is characterized by a wave-like course: acute phases are replaced by periods of remission.
The causes of psoriasis are:
- violation of lipid metabolism;
- malfunctions of the hormonal system;
- mechanical skin lesions;
- genetic predisposition;
- stressful situations;
- transferred viral diseases.
Psoriasis is treated only in a complex way, consisting in the use of:
- hormonal ointments that stop the development of the disease;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- photochemotherapy;
- alternative methods;
- special diet;
- compliance with certain rules for skin care of the legs.
Herpes on the leg
Redness on the leg may be a sign of herpes, which indicates the presence of shingles in the body.
Such a disease develops along the branches of individual nerves and is accompanied by unpleasant sensations, a feeling of numbness, soreness along the affected nerve, redness on the skin and swelling. Then there is the formation of vesicular rashes with transparent contents, cloudy after a few hours. Bubbles are arranged in groups and closely adjoin each other, often merge with each other, forming larger shapes. Subsequently burst, causing the affected skin to get wet. This is very dangerous for the legs, as it can be complicated by the addition of a fungal and bacterial infection.
Treatment of cold sores on the legs is carried out with systemic antiviral drugs: Valaciclovir, Famciclovir, Acyclovir. The doctor also prescribes immunomodulators (most often Viferon in suppositories), inducers of endogenous interferons (Cyclofen, Amiksin). Externally affected areas are recommended to be lubricated with an alcoholic solution of brilliant green, causing the rash elements to dry out and crusts to form quickly on them. External antiviral ointments and creams containing acyclovir are required. To avoid complications, herpes on the leg is treated only under the supervision of a doctor.
Eczema
Redness on the leg may indicate the presence of eczema - a chronic disease that has a neuro-allergic nature and affects both men and women with the same frequency.
Symptoms of eczema:
- the appearance on the skin of vesicles, nodules, scales, crusts, erosion;
- severe redness of the skin of the legs due to the expansion of capillaries;
- sensation of itching;
- dryness and peeling of the skin;
- violation of wakefulness and sleep.
Causes of eczema:
- genetic predisposition;
- violation of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, endocrine and central nervous system;
- skin diseases;
- injuries
- occupational hazard factors. In the high-risk zone are workers in the metallurgical, printing, and pharmaceutical industries;
- external factors: hypothermia, overheating, solar radiation.
The treatment of the disease is complex and consists of taking sedatives (Nozepam, Chlozepid, Novopassit, Persen), enterosorbents (Multisorb, Enterosgel, Polysorb, Polyphepan), hormonal ointments ("Oxycort", "Cloveit", "Diprogent", "Betazone"), antihistamines ("Diphenhydramine", "Promethazine", "Chloropyramine").
Redness on the legs, the reasons for the appearance of which have a very different explanation, be sure to pay attention to yourself, as they can be serious and indicate inflammatory processes in the body.