Lat the appearance of red dots on the legs, accompanied or not by itching, is a rather common situation. This skin manifestation can in fact be the indicator of many different conditions.
And if, in some cases, it is simply one post-shaving rashcaused by the stress of waxing or improper use of the razorin others the appearance of red dots on the legs can also be attributable to an allergic reaction.
How to understand it? And what to do once the cause has been identified? We asked the Dr. Michele Cardone, dermatologist at Humanitas San Pio
Red dots on the legs: it could be folliculitis
Among the causes of the appearance of widespread red dots on the legs there may be folliculitisa rather common disorder.
«It’s about an infection affecting the hair follicle – clarifies Doctor Cardone. – It occurs when bacteria penetrate the follicular ostium, or the orifice from which the hair comes out, giving rise to an infection. Folliculitis can manifest itself with erythematous red dots but also give rise to small yellowish pustules. In both cases the disorder is often associated with itching».
Different situations can facilitate the passage of bacteria that cause the infection: for example, the skin friction caused by shaving or hair removal which can favor the formation of microtraumas. Alsowearing clothing that is too tight and not breathable, for example in synthetic materials, can be a risk factor for skin irritation and subsequent folliculitis. As well as frequent humid environments such as swimming pools and saunas.
Folliculitis: how to intervene?
«Once the problem has been identified, if the situation is not too extensive, to resolve the folliculitis just resort to local antibiotic therapyusing an ointment – suggests the specialist – but always following adequate treatment diagnosis by the doctor.”
As well as paying attention to hygiene of the body, preferring neutral and delicate soapsnon-foaming, and drying the cleansed area well, is It is essential to avoid squeezing the pustules caused by folliculitis to facilitate the expulsion of pus. In fact, doing so you risk spreading the infectionee to create permanent damage such as a stain or scar.
Keratosis pilaris. What is it about?
Little ones red pimples (or white) located especially on the thighs they can instead be attributable to the so-called keratosis pilarisanother fairly common skin condition.
“It is a thickening of keratin around the hair follicle – clarifies Doctor Cardone. – It can also occur on the arms and generally those affected by this condition are subjects with atopic, dry skin or allergiesin which keratosis pilaris can also manifest with itching». How to proceed in these cases?
«Keratosis pilaris can be treated using non-aggressive soaps, that is, they do not dry the skin too much and instead soften the keratin – suggests the dermatologist. – Generally recommended the use of topical exfoliantsor creams containing substances with keratolytic action For example urea and salicylic acid».
Red dots on the legs: when is it an allergy?
Young woman suffering from pain in leg at home
Equally important is understanding if the appearance of a rash on the legs can be traced back to one allergic reaction.
«We must consider that an allergic reaction that occurs following the ingestion of a food or the intake of a drug by mouth, usually gives rise to widespread skin rashes – explains the specialist. – So a skin manifestation which only affects the legs can more easily be allergic contact dermatitis. A situation that can occur i.e. when the skin of the legs comes into contact with allergenic substances such as, for example, creams with active ingredients to which you are allergic, such as anti-cellulite creams. In this case the disorder occurs only in the area where the cream was applied and is generally accompanied by redness, itching and sometimes blistering. Naturally, much depends on the gravity of the situation.”
In case of contact allergy, after diagnosis by the doctor, it will be possible to intervene with astringent gels based on aluminum chloride or with soothing creams based on zinc oxide or, only in more inflammatory caseswith cortisone creams to be taken for a short time.
Red dots on the legs: what if it was circulation?
Finally, it is good to remember that there are skin manifestations affecting the legs which can be caused by bad circulation.
«In people in overweight or diabetic patients a condition known as may occur varicose eczema or stasis eczema – explains Dr. Cardone. – At the base one suffering of the microcirculation, slowed down by the poor outflow of venous blood. The venous trunks are unable to discharge the blood flow, because they are compressed by excessive weight or because they are damaged by pathologies such as diabetes and hypertension, and this gives rise to suffering that manifests itself with red spots on the legs more or less extensive, usually only up to the knee, almost never above»
What are the warning signs for this condition?
«Generally, stasis eczema, in addition to the typically cutaneous manifestation, yes also presents with itching, ulcers that become superinfected and sometimes blisters. Naturally, in these cases, contacting a specialist is essential” – concludes the expert.
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