Livedo reticularis is a skin condition that causes a mottled pattern on the skin, often in response to cold. It can be benign or a symptom of underlying conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or vasculitis. Treatment of underlying conditions may not eliminate the appearance of the skin condition.
Livedo reticularis is a skin condition that causes the skin to discolor in what is called a “mottled” pattern. It can be extremely benign or a symptom of more serious underlying conditions. It’s usually not something that can be treated, and for many people, the reddish or sometimes bluish marks that look like a web disappear completely and don’t return. Other people may end up with lifelong signs of liveso reticularis, if the condition occurs often or is underscored by systemic problems.
The actual cause of the condition is under the skin in the upper blood vessels and capillaries. If these open and dilate, blood can pool in a pool. This results in red or blue marks on the skin, most often in areas such as the arms, legs and back. Sometimes babies can show it, especially in response to being cold. It’s not an uncommon response to a cold in adults either, especially in women. Usually, once the skin is warm, the mottling will disappear, but if it occurs very often, the redness on the skin may start to linger and there is no way to rid the skin of its appearance.
While this condition can be benign in many cases, it could indicate underlying problems. One of the most serious is lupus, an autoimmune disease. Other diseases that have been associated with the development of temporary or permanent liveso reticularis include rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, lymphoma, and a variety of conditions that create enlarged blood vessels, which may be called vasculitis.
Other potential causes of liveso reticularis that can be serious and can explain the dilation of blood vessels include those conditions or factors that cause blood vessels to become blocked or obstructed. You may experience high numbers of platelets or blood clots, as well as blockages caused by infections or blockages created during certain activities such as an injection.
While many people who have this condition temporarily make a full recovery without another attack, or experience the condition only when exposed to cold, others may have a much harder time due to underlying causative factors. Unfortunately, treating these factors does not necessarily eliminate the mottled appearance of the skin. However, the presence of this skin condition is worth exploring because the conditions that can cause it may require treatment and should not be ignored. If people notice anything but the most transient aspect of liveso reticularis, and particularly if they notice it recurring, they should mention it to doctors.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
