A buildup of uric acid in your blood is called gout. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Prolonged circulation problems may eventually lead to nerve damage in your foot, which could also make it more susceptible to injury which can lead to swelling.. To help with swelling caused by diabetes, your doctor may recommend: Nerve damage in your foot can also cause Charcot foot, an inflammatory condition that affects bones and tissue in the foot. A moisturizer can help with dry skin and keep the area soft. Injury - Excessive exercise or recent injury may lead to bruising due to damage or tear of blood vessels under the skin. Images 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides. It forms when bacteria often Staphylococcus get into your body through a cut or other open wound. What causes edema? Swelling may be accompanied by other symptoms such as: A blood clot is a medical emergency. The pus contains dead tissue, bacteria, and white blood cells. Dr. Payam Rafat answered Podiatry 23 years experience Many possible causes: Some causes of leg swelling can include cellulitis, lymphatic obstruction, blood clots, varicose veins and trauma. Your doctor will also want to check if you have a blood clot and rule out other possible conditions, such as preeclampsia. The condition is also called venous eczema or stasis dermatitis. They are small, 1-4 mm (1/16 to 1/8 in.) Cellulitis usually doesnt spread from person to person. If you dont have a primary care doctor or need help finding a specialist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. Fleas are bloodsucking insects that live on pets, livestock, and humans. Swollen ankles and legs are common when youre pregnant because of factors such as: You may be more prone to swollen feet in the evening and especially after being on your feet all day. Home management will depend on the cause. A swollen foot, ankle, or leg can cause the lower part of the leg to appear larger than normal. The spots that developed on the bottom of this patients foot are also a sign of a heart infection called infective endocarditis. If you have kidney disease or your kidneys arent working properly, you may have too much salt in your blood. Many things can reduce the flow of oxygenated blood to the skin, so many things can cause livedo reticularis. Occasionally, inflammation of the fat can occur and this can cause pain in both legs. This can cause blood to settle in your lower leg, causing swelling. Fast food often contains large amounts of sodium which can contribute to retaining fluids. This condition can also cause mottled skin. Although wingless, fleas are capable of taking giant leaps, jumping to a height of several meters. Moving makes blood flow better. Certain herbs, including parsley and dandelion, have a diuretic effect that helps to flush excess water from the body and can be taken as a supplement or as a form of tea. If your swelling is the result of fluid buildup, the following home tips may help relieve swelling: If your swelling is due to injury, remember R.I.C.E. A rash is any area of irritated or swollen skin on your body. Unlike cellulitis, this condition can affect both sides of the body and is not the result of bacterial infection. . Mild to moderate swelling may persist for up to 6 months depending on the type of surgery you had. It might get better when you sleep and then come back during the day when you're active again. Injury Some more serious than others. Some complications can include: Your doctor will likely be able to diagnose cellulitis just by looking at your skin. This is because bacteria can enter your skin through cracks caused by these conditions. Bilateral erythema is unlikely to be caused by cellulitis, especially if the patient is apyrexial. Causes and treatments for skin discoloration on the legs, What is causing my rash? This affects blood moving up to your heart from your legs and feet. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Pain: Legs may be painful, achy or sore, especially behind your knees. Doctors can prescribe disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and pain medications to reduce autoimmune activity and manage peoples symptoms. If the growths dont clear, a board-certified dermatologist can treat them. You can get a DVT after you sit or lie in bed for a long period of time, such as on a long plane trip or after surgery. Chronic venous insufficiency. A doctor may: A doctor will also ask when the symptoms began and if other symptoms are present to determine the source of the problem. In rare cases, they indicate severe conditions, such as meningitis or sepsis. Others have idiopathic livedo reticularis, meaning the mottled skin occurs on its own and has no clear cause. Cellulitis is an often painful skin infection. Cellulitis typically only occurs in one leg. When youre extremely cold, your skin can turn blue (or purple). When to see a doctor Seek care immediately if you have these symptoms. Medical name: Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (another name for Kawasaki disease). Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Dysfunction in the vascular system can also be a cause of foot redness. Being very overweight. Some abscesses shrink on their own without treatment. Treatment options include medications, surgery, and medical devices. Medical name: Clubbing (term describes the downward turned nails and swollen fingers), Red or purple lines under your nails What are the risk factors for cellulitis? APS, or Hughes syndrome, is an autoimmune condition that mostly affects young to middle-aged adults. The blockage can lead to damaged tissues and organs, so its important to see a doctor to find out whether you have an undiagnosed disease. This creates an image using soundwaves that enables Dr. Banda to see if there are any blood clots, changes to the blood vessels in . What it may be telling you: You have rheumatic fever. If one of these is causing the netlike pattern, its usually nothing to worry about. However, there are things you can do at home to relieve pain and other symptoms. You should rest until your symptoms improve. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. How long does it take to recover from cellulitis? When a person has livedo reticularis a blotchy or web-like pattern of red, blue, or purple lines appears across the skin. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can also cause a blockage of blood flow leading to the calf as well as foot redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. Mottled skin is a secondary and rare symptom of acute pancreatitis. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. When a child has a rash, fever, and extremely dry lips that may crack and bleed, Kawasaki disease is a likely cause. Iron in red blood cells of the leakage blood imparts the color to the abnormal spots. (2017). Petroleum jelly and thick creams can be good options. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Its easier to treat the earlier its diagnosed. All rights reserved. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Heart failure needs lifelong management. When its a sign of heart disease, people tend to have symptoms, such as high fever and a weak or irregular heartbeat. Most of the time, the infection is on the legs. The danger is . Mottled skin, along with red or purple skin patches, is a common symptom of APS. In fact, there are over 14 million cases of cellulitis in the United States each year. It often affects the legs, but can occur anywhere on the body. Please select the option that best describes your current experience. For example, if your leg is affected, raise it above the level of your heart. The blotches have now developed on the other ankle and red spots have appeared on my legs. You can also take NSAIDs or corticosteroids to relieve the pain. People who have APS also have an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. Less often, it can appear on the face, arms, or trunk (torso). Contact your doctor right away if you experience sudden swelling, especially if its accompanied by these other symptoms. The sign could be harmless, but its important to get it checked out. Long plane flights or car rides often cause swelling in the legs and feet. Livedo reticularis, commonly known as mottled skin, causes patterned areas to appear on the skin. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. According to the National Eczema Association, venous stasis causes swelling and discoloration, and it can develop into skin ulcers. Read More This article will focus on mottled skin caused by livedo reticularis. 2009; 60(1):1-20. You might need longer treatment if your infection is more severe. If it is a sign of an underlying disorder, there will typically be other symptoms that occur alongside skin mottling. 1. Unhealthy cholesterol levels require treatment, which can prevent life-threatening heart disease. In some cases, livedo reticularis-like rashes may be an early COVID-19 symptom or the only symptom of presumed infection. To treat swollen feet and ankles due to alcohol consumption, try these tips: Swollen feet and ankles frequently occur during hot weather since your veins expand as part of your bodys natural cooling process. Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes inflammation, skin discoloration, and pain. Severe cases may require surgery. Mottling score and skin temperature in septic shock: Relation and impact on prognosis in ICU. The infection can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream. Skin discoloration on the legs can be due to many conditions, including sunburn, vitiligo, and eczema. If you know what to look for, you can also find warning signs of heart disease on your skin and nails. Cover your wound with ointment and a bandage until its fully healed. In this article, we discuss the causes, treatments, and symptoms of cellulitis. When leg swelling occurs for unknown reasons, it is referred to as idiopathic edema. Non-pitting edema is a type of swelling thats usually due to a problem with your thyroid or lymphatic system. Have it evaluated by a professiona. A person may also develop: Research also shows that APS can be an underlying condition in people with Snedden syndrome, a disorder in which abnormal clotting leads to neurological symptoms. Norazirah MN, et al. Though it usually affects areas like your toes and fingers, it can also affect your internal organs, Athletes foot, or tinea pedis, is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. Sometimes people refer to this condition as "periorbital puffiness" or "puffy eyes. Options may include a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, or removal of skin lesions. Skincare The legs and feet should be washed daily in a soap substitute e.g. People with circulatory problems are especially prone to this. In some cases this and other conditions can cause pressure to build. There is no cure for RA, but treatment can reduce the symptoms and the risk of joint damage. Gout flares usually last for 3 to 10 days. As many as 900,000 Americans a year get one, and up to 100,000 die because of it. Do you suffer from one or more of the edema symptoms listed above? However, your risk of a skin infection will increase if you develop sores or ulcers as a result of venous stasis. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in one of the deep veins, usually in the legs. Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment today! However, you may not be advised to walk or stand too much. But a buildup of too much synovial fluid in your knee can cause a popliteal cyst (or Bakers cyst) to form. Mottled skin may persist after someone dies because the heart stops pumping, so the circulation stops. Blood can collect in the veins of your legs and feet, causing swelling. A low-sodium diet discourages fluid retention. This condition is contagious and can spread to the, Lymphatic dysfunction is a poorly working lymphatic system. If the bursa becomes infected, you may need antibiotics. You may also have swelling if you have to stand for long periods of time at your job.