Why Do Redness Occur On The Lower Part Of The Leg?

Our legs usually take us where we need to go so it can be disheartening when they sting and feel irritated. An uncomfortable sensation in the lower legs can be due to a numerous amount of problems. Just like within the face and the rest of the body, the lower leg can be subject to conditions that are due to allergies, chemical reactions and illness-induced redness.

Some redness in the leg is little cause for concern and is typical for conditions, such as pregnancy . However, some other serious issues should be taken seriously and you’ll need to contact your doctor. There are several remedies that can alleviate irritating symptoms within the leg. In this article we will highlight some of the causes of redness in the lower leg and available treatments for them.

Causes Of Lower Leg Redness

Some common causes of a rash on legs can be caused by a number of reasons. Leg irritations can involve burning, stinging, tingling, breakouts and even itching. There are likely some possibilities that you’ll need to rule out with your doctor if these symptoms persist. Some other indications could be due to chemical or allergic reactions.

Some causes for lower leg redness are:

• Varicose Veins – Veins in the leg that appear dark purple or blue. Sometimes they appear to bulge or twist inside the skin.
• Poor Hygiene – Bacteria on the skin can mix with dirt and oils that can cause itching. Taking regular showers or baths will helps to prevent the irritated nerves, associated with redness on the lower legs.
• Calf Strain – Injuries to the muscles in the calf area. Can cause irritation due to torn muscle fibers.
• Folliculitis – When a hair follicle becomes infected, folliculitis can occur, which causes, in some cases, staph infection, due to the production of staphylococcus aureas, a type of bacteria, on the skin.
• Restless Leg – An urge to move your legs all the time, due to tingling and itching.
• Pregnancy – Varicose veins that sometimes occur during pregnancy can cause irritation, due to the increase in blood within the body, producing enlarged veins.
• Dermatitis – Red, blistering plaques can lead to darkened, courser skin when scratched.

Other topical causes of leg redness include ulcers, blood clots and injuries that lead to bleeding, which may cause an infection.

Depending on your sex and age, varicose veins can range from mild, moderate to severe. As we age, our bones and muscles deteriorate. Over time this causes a backflow of blood within the blood valves.

Additional factors to take into consideration are your family history, obesity rate and whether or not you tend to sit or stand for an extended amount of time, which can all produce leg irritations.

Treatments for Leg Redness

As with many other symptoms associated with the skin, leg redness can be alleviated or eliminated through various methods, which include an ultrasound, which typically entails a dermatologist probing the cause of such diseases, such as varicose veins. To get to the root of the problem, other implemented treatments include:

• Lasers - Sends concentrated light to the source by collapsing skin conditions, such as varicose veins.
• Sclerotherapy – A type of injection in which a detergent comes in contact with air to form a foam, which is then injected into the walls of the vein to block blood flow from making the problem worse.
• Oral Antibiotics – Treatment for an infection, taking by mouth, to eliminate the growth of bacteria that is causing the infection.
• Anti-fungal medications – Medications can come in the form of creams, sprays or solutions. Designed to treat fungal infections such as tinea versicolor.
• Elevation – Symptoms associated with swelling can help ease certain redness and irritations associated with diseases like cellulitis, by elevating the leg higher than the hip.
• Injections - Injections, such as a cortisone steroid can be injected into the skin to alleviate such symptoms as eczema.

If you typically experience leg pain at night only, then this could be an indicator of diabetes, which can affect blood circulation in the leg. Cramping can also be associated with other underlying symptoms as well.

Several types of infections can infect the legs and sometimes, mobility. It’s important to keep your skin moisturized and healthy to prevent some underlying causes. However, if your symptoms are do to an underlying disease or won’t away, even after some treatment, then talk to your health care provider who will help you seek out the right type of therapy.