Red bumps can be itchy and unsightly. Occasionally, red bumps on your legs are the sign of a more serious condition. They can be caused by allergies, insect bites, infections, and a number of skin conditions. The sources of bumps and rashes often vary by age and health condition. If you are wondering about red bumps on your legs, consider some of the most common culprits.
Why do I have Red Spots on Legs
A skin condition that can appear on anyone regardless of his/her age, red spots on the legs can be concerning. The several causes may be accompanied by other symptoms and can affect people in different ways.
You may have itchy red spots on legs or notice that the spots are raised. Depending on the cause, these red spots may be treated or could remain a part of your skin makeup for many years. To treat these spots, you should at first determine the cause of the red spots.
The symptoms of red spots on legs depend on the type of the dots that appeared or the nature of the red dots. There are those that do not usually cause any symptoms, except that it is bothersome and cosmetically disturbing. There are spots 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 condition. Red spots 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
Red Spots on Legs Causes
Insect Bites
A tiny red spot on the leg could be caused by an insect bite. The most common sign of this problem is itchiness. A bite could also cause a small rash or several red bumps due to multiple bites by the same bug. Insect bites are usually caused by mosquitoes, fleas, lice, bed bugs, gnats, or mites. Itching may be helped by oral or topical corticosteroid, or application of calamine lotion.
Remember that prevention, in the form of insect repellants and keeping your skin covered, is the most important step in keeping bloodthirsty critters away.
Keratosis Pilaris
Do you have small red or white bumps that form like goose bumps on the fleshier areas of your thighs and arms? If they don’t itch or they itch very little, they may well be keratosis pilaris. This is a common condition, affecting approximately 50 to 80 percent of teens, and 40 percent of adults, according to the research that was done recently.
This problem occurs when your pores are clogged with keratin, a protein found in your skin, nails, and hair. You are highly at risk to get it if you have dry skin or eczema. Although the condition is harmless, you may want to communicate to your doctor about using medicated creams. In severe cases, laser therapy is used.
Folliculitis
Red spots on legs that appear small, red bumps like, or pimples like, occur on parts of the body you shave or where clothing rubs the skin are signs of folliculitis. Also, you may know them as razor rash. This skin condition is caused by bacteria or fungi that infect your hair follicles.
Shaving, tight clothing, and the combination of heat and sweat are typical sources of folliculitis. You can get folliculitis at any age, but there are certain risk factors. You’re at risk if. Folliculitis can be itchy and uncomfortable. But it’s not serious unless it progresses to a more severe type of infection, including boils, carbuncles, and cellulitis. Folliculitis usually clears up on its own. If it lasts longer than 10 days or it worsens, you should see your doctor.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
If those red spots on legs combine in patches and itch like crazy, you may have eczema, a common skin condition. The affected area may be dry and scaly, or it can blister and ooze a clear fluid. Eczema tends to flare up at times. Things that are well known to cause eczema are common allergens like detergents.
Medicine Porridge
Oatmeal, also known as medicine porridge, has chemicals called avenanthramides that reduce itching and inflammation. They also block the action of histamines which is the chemicals in your body that cause allergic reactions. The cause of eczema is not fully understood, but there are some common patterns.
- Eczema often runs in families.
- You have a greater likelihood of getting eczema if you or a family member has asthma or seasonal allergies.
- Eczema is more common in urban areas with high levels of pollution and in colder climates.
- Children born to older mothers are more apt to have the condition.
Although people of all ages can have eczema, the research has revealed that 90 percent of cases occur in children under the age of five. The AAD adds that 50 percent of adults who had eczema as a child continue to have some signs of the condition in adulthood.
A number of medications are used to treat eczema, including antibiotics, antihistamines, and corticosteroids. Your doctor will help you find the medications that are most effective for you. Your doctor also will work with you to identify agents that trigger your eczema and reduce your exposure to them. Like most skin conditions, eczema can become infected.
Additionally, if you have eczema, avoid being around people who have cold sores or chicken pox. Exposure to the viruses that cause these conditions puts you at risk of getting eczema herpeticum, a severe, rapidly spreading infection.
Hives
Approximately 20 percent of people will get hives in their lifetime, as per the American college of allergy, asthma and immunology. Hives, also called urticaria, are raised, itchy red or skin-tone welts. They turn white when you press their center. Hives can appear anywhere on the body, and people of all ages get them as red spots on legs. You can get hives in response to a wide range of triggers, such as pollen, detergents, creams and many other allergens.
Did You Know?
Some people are allergic to the sun. Exposure to sunlight produces redness, small bumps, or blisters.
Hives are generally not serious unless they’re accompanied by a more systemic allergic reaction. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, dizziness, or swelling of your face or tongue, seeks urgent medical attention.
Infections
As usual, the presence of little red bumps on your legs is not a matter of concern. But skin conditions carry the risk of becoming more serious infections. Treat your rash as recommended by your doctor and keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as increasing redness or swelling around the bumps, redness streaking from the rash, pain, fever, and blisters.
Red Spots on Legs not Itchy
Most of the time, red spots on our legs outbreaks are harmless and will clear up on their own, but it are always good to understand the common causes of our symptoms so that we can better treat and manage them when they arise.
A non-itchy spot may go against what we think of as a normal rash or outbreak but there are a wide range of common causes for these spots. In many cases, a non-itchy red spot can be caused by the same thing as an itchy one. Get acquainted with the potential triggers below, and schedule an appointment with your doctor if you come across anything suspicious.
Potential causes of non-itchy red spots on legs
Birthmarks: they are colored spots on our skin that are present at birth. Sometimes these blemishes can be red in color. When this is the case, they are usually a “vascular birthmark”. These types of birthmarks are caused by abnormal blood vessels in the skin.
Acne: this is an extremely common skin condition that can range from mild to severe. The condition usually presents itself as skin bumps that often become red or swollen.
Angiomas: these conditions are skin growths that can occur anywhere on the body. They are caused by blood vessels that have clumped together and appear as red domed bumps, also known as papules, on or beneath the skin.
Keratosis pilaris: this problem is a harmless skin condition that occurs from the overproduction of a protein called keratin. It causes small, hard bumps around hair follicles, especially on the thighs, buttocks and upper arms.
Boils: is a skin infection of the hair follicle or oil gland. It is usually a firm red bump that can often be filled with pus. They usually go away after they burst open and the pus or liquid has drained.
Allergic reaction: One of the most common reasons for red skin spots is rashes that occur from allergic reactions. The reaction could be to food, pollen or other allergens in the air, cosmetics, skincare, laundry detergent or a whole host of other irritants. A doctor can perform a patch test to reveal what allergens trigger the appearance of the red spots on legs or on your skin.
Heat rash: Heat rash is a result of sweat trapped in clogged pores and appears as red bumps that may or may not feel tingly or itchy. This is a common condition in hot, humid weather and usually goes away once the skin temperature has cooled.
Pityriasis Rosea: is a rash caused by a virus that usually lasts from six to twelve weeks. It is characterized by a larger, “mother” patch, accompanied by smaller “daughter” patches around it. It is usually pink or red in color and may be raised and scaly in texture.
Red Spots on Lower Legs not Itchy
Some of the people who have red spots on their lower legs have reported the presence of an underlying cause as per the research findings. On some parts of their legs such as on their calves, in between your legs, or on your lower legs or even on thighs you can develop red spots as well. Pimples on your lower legs, just like pimples on buttocks will be covered in different post.
Bumps on Legs that Looks Like Pimples
If you notice small pimple like bumps on legs they could possibly pimples or not. Other possible cause of bumps that resembles little pimples on legs includes the following:
- Keratosis Pilaris – According to Healthline.com, keratosis Pilaris are small white or red spots on legs that looks like goose bumps.
- Hives – if the bumps are red or the color of your skin and itchy then they may be hives
- Eczema – These are red spots will have patches and they will be itchy
- Folliculitis – they are known to cause small red bumps in places you often shave or where clothes cause lots of friction including your thighs
Pictures of Red Spots on Legs
In case of itchy pimple like bumps on legs, they could be hives or eczema since it has been found that both of the two conditions cause soreness. Furthermore insect bites, vascuilitis or other skin conditions can be responsible for your red spots on legs in case you wonder how this condition may look like, here is a collection of pictures and photos of red dots on legs that form on your legs.
How to get rid of Red Spots on Legs – Treatment
After you shave–whether it’s your face or elsewhere on your body like your legs–you may notice small red bumps. These are commonly known as razor bumps. Columbia University’s Health Services says razor bumps occur when the shaved hair follicle curls inward to the skin. Your body then thinks it’s an intruder and your immune system attacks it, creating the irritated skin you see.
Modification of how you shave, plus the application of the right skin care products, can help you soothe away the red bumps and prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Step 1
Splash your skin with warm water. This softens both your hair and your skin for a cleaner, closer shave, according to Columbia University. For the best results and the least chance of irritating your skin, the university recommends shaving after you’ve gotten out of a hot shower or bath.
Step 2
Apply a shaving gel, shaving cream or similar lubricating shaving treatment on the red spots on legs, advises the Mayo Clinic. This helps create a thin barrier between your shaving razor and your skin to help prevent the irritation and problems that can lead to razor bumps.
Step 3
Wait for five to 10 minutes, recommends Ohio State University’s Health Services. This lets the shaving cream or gel penetrate your hair and skin for extra softening of the hair.
Step 4
Shave with a very sharp razor and drag it across your skin in the direction that your hair naturally grows. Doing otherwise may force the hair into your skin, directly causing red razor bumps.
Step 5
Rinse your skin with warm water, and then pat it dry with a clean, soft towel. Don’t rub your freshly shaved skin with the towel, as that can cause skin irritation.
Step 6
Dab on a skin care cream or serum formulated with retinol or benzoyl peroxide, according to Ohio State University. The university says these products help get rid of the redness and inflammation if preventative measures don’t adequately reduce them.
Treatments for red spots on legs
If you are experiencing some red spots on your legs, and you don’t know what do or how to manage them, we are going to look a little on treatments. Well, as we have explained earlier, red spots on the legs or generally on the body can be due to several factors. This renders them no generalized treatment. Therefore, each cause will be treated using right treatment. This is why you must know what is behind your red spots on legs.
Under this section, we are going to discuss how to treat red spots on legs. Whether itchy or non-itchy some of these therapies can be applied in treating both itchy and non-itch red spots. So read below to get more insight.
Topical treatments and creams
Red spots on legs that are due to keratosis Pilaris can be managed using topical treatment. In addition, topical creams have the ability reduce symptoms and to get rid of red spots on the legs and other body parts. Common topical treatments include:
Hydrocortisone cream
In some circumstances, small reds spots on thigh can be caused by irritation. This can be due to inflammation from accumulation of sweat, friction or poor friction. For such conditions, Hydrocortisone cream can help in relieving itchy red spots.
Over the counter anti-fungal cream
This is one of the most important medications to treat red spot on your legs and even some other parts of your body if the cause is fungal infection. There are both topical and oral can help hasten the removal of the red rash on your legs. Results may be noted after a week or so of using antifungal creams or oral ones.
Antihistamine therapy
If the red spots on your legs are due to allergies, antihistamines can be the appropriate medication. Try the over the counter antihistamines. If they do not work, go to a doctor for diagnosis and prescription.
Use of moisturizers
Red bumps on your legs can be made to feel better and greater through application of deeply hydrating moisturizers. However, it also very important to recognize that, for some causes of the red bumps, this kind of therapy can be less fitting.
Gentle cleansing
When suffering from mild red spots, even if they are somewhat bumpy a gentle cleanser can be of some help. However, avoid harsh soaps that dry out the skin and exacerbate the rough texture of the bumps. Remember the soaps should be detergent free.
Warm Compress treatment
Warm compress is effective technique that will help you relieve the pain and heal the big painful red spots on legs and thighs. It will also make the bumps that may have turned to boils less inflamed and a bit softer. Yet again, warm compresses will advance the blood circulation in the skin on your leg leading to some relief.
This procedure can be applied by pouring some warm water in to a plastic bag and wrapping it with a towel. You can then place it on the red lump on your legs for around 10 minutes.
Natural remedies for red dots on legs
Essentially, there various natural products that are very applicable in treating skin disorders including red spots on legs. Some of these products can be blended while others can just be used alone. While applying these products, you first have to establish the causes of your red spots. Below are examples of natural remedy products: Aloe Vera, Tee tree oil, Baby Powder, Coconut Oil, Olive oil
More references
- Common culprits of red bumps: http://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders/red-bumps-on-legs#overview1
- Red spots on legs: http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-articles/red-spots-on-legs-causes-home-remedies
- Red spots on legs not itchy: https://skinvision.com/en/articles/red-spots-on-skin-but-not-itchy-find-out-the-common-causes
- Red dots on the legs: http://mddk.com/red-dots-on-legs.html