- 1. Insect bite
- 2. Allergy
- 3. Eczema
- 4. Medicines
- 5. Keratosis pilaris
- 6. Ringworm
- When to go to the doctor
Red spots on the skin, when not accompanied by any other symptoms, are normal. They may arise mainly due to insect bites or are birthmarks. However, when the spots appear on the whole body or there is a symptom such as pain, severe itching, fever or headache, it is important to go to the doctor, as it may be a sign of a more serious disease, such as lupus, for example. example.
It is important to always be attentive to the body, observing new spots, scars or flaking that may appear, and you should always go to the dermatologist when any changes are noticed. Understand how the dermatological exam is done.
The main causes of red spots on the leg are:
1. Insect bite
The spots that appear because of insect bites are usually higher and tend to itch. This is the most common cause of the appearance of spots on the leg, as it is the region of the body that is most easily accessible to insects, such as ants and mosquitoes.
What to do: It is important to avoid scratching, as it can expose the skin to possible infections and the use of repellents is recommended to prevent further bites, the use of gel, cream or ointments to relieve the urge to scratch, and it may still be necessary to take an antihistamine to relieve symptoms if they get worse. Know what to pass on the insect bite.
2. Allergy
Allergy is the second most common cause of spotting on the leg and is red or white, itchy and can fill with fluid. It usually happens due to contact with plants, animal hair, medicines, food, pollen or even allergies to the fabric or fabric softener that is used to wash clothes.
What to do: The ideal is to identify the cause of the allergy so that you can avoid contact. In addition, an anti-allergic medication, such as Loratadine or Polaramine, can be used to relieve symptoms. See what other allergy remedies are.
3. Eczema
Eczema manifests itself as spots not only on the leg, but on the entire body, which cause itching and can become swollen. It is the result of contact with an object or substance that causes an allergy, such as synthetic fabric, for example.
What to do: It is recommended to go to the dermatologist so that you can start the appropriate treatment, since eczema has no cure, but control according to medical guidelines. The most indicated treatment is generally the use of anti-allergic remedies, creams or ointments, such as hydrocortisone, and the use of antibiotics to prevent possible infections. Learn how to identify and treat eczema.
4. Medicines
Some medications, such as ketoprofen and glucosamine, can cause red spots to appear on the leg and on the skin as a whole. In addition there may be sore throat, chills, fever and blood in the urine.
What to do: It is important to communicate quickly to the doctor about the occurrence of the reaction so that the medication is stopped and another type of treatment can be started.
5. Keratosis pilaris
Keratosis occurs when there is excess production of keratin in the skin that develops with reddish lesions with a pimple aspect that can appear both on the leg and on the rest of the body. It is more common to happen in people who have dry skin and in those who have allergic diseases, such as asthma or rhinitis. Learn more about keratosis.
What to do: It is recommended to go to the dermatologist so that the best treatment can be started. Keratosis cannot be cured, but it can be treated with the use of creams such as Epydermy or Vitacid.
6. Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal disease that can manifest itself from the appearance of red spots on the body. These spots are usually large, itchy, can peel and look blistered. See what the symptoms of ringworm are.
What to do: Treatment for ringworm is usually done with the use of antifungals, such as ketoconazole or fluconazole, prescribed by the doctor. See what are the best remedies to treat ringworm.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the dermatologist or general practitioner when, in addition to the red spots on the leg, other symptoms appear, such as:
- Red spots all over the body; Pain and irritation; Headache; Severe itching; Fever; Nausea; Bleeding.
The appearance of these symptoms may indicate a more serious illness such as rubella or lupus, which is why it is important to go to the doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear. Find out which diseases cause red spots on the skin.