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Gave Blotchy Skin Patterns On Leg. Turns Red When Heat Is Applied. What Treatment Should Be Done?

Posted on Wed, 1 Aug 2012

Question: I have blotchy skin patterns on my leg and I dont know why! it doesnt itch burn or anythign its just ugly also when heat is applied it turns really red!

Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (3 hours later)

Hi,

I have gone through the pictures and description.

It looks to be Erythema Multiforme like rash. Red, targeted spots on the thigh are sometimes due to viral infection, drugs. Did you start any medicine recently like the spironolactone. In such a case we need to stop these medicines. They disappear on their own once the offending agent is removed.

Do you have fever and joint pains? If yes it points well towards infection.

In summary it is better to XXXXXXX the treating doctor first about this reaction.

Please get back to me if you have any further queries I am sure I will have satisfying replies to you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (6 minutes later)

Thank you for the quick reply, i did start the spironolactone recently but was already experiencing the blotchy skin before that! I don't think i have fever or joint pains I keep a heater on me at my desk which also cause the redness to glow any type of heat or clothing covering it up makes it really red. I asked my thyroid specialist briefly about it and he mentioned iron but I haven't been back to him yet to get further info.
oko i researched the name of the cause you described and i know im no doctor but i do not believe that is the same case here there skin looks more like blisters sort of mines is more like cellulite with redness around it!

Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (19 minutes later)

EM (Erythema multiforme) does not have blisters either. It is at the level of normal skin no itch only blotcy appearance. I am not sure if you have it but I just want to clarify. Heat increases the circulation by dilating the capillaries and thus more blood supply to that part of the skin hence the reaction.

I do not mean that spironolactone alone can cause this. All medicines can cause this type of reaction at any time during their course even a synthroid.

Do you shave the area there? One other reason I could think about now.

Let me come up with more ideas soon, meantime just recollect the onset of the patch, how did it progress and other areas, any contact to the area of rash etc?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (3 minutes later)

thanks for the clarification, yes i have been on the synthroid for a year or so now and the rash has been here for over 6 months!! yeah i shave but normally use the Veet hair remover also, i just look down and noticed it it hasn't spread and it pretty much stays the red in the pics sometimes brighter after heat has been applied. I am scheduled to see a dermatologist and hope to come up with a answer and will follow up with you then

Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (30 minutes later)

Nothing worrisome. Sure you can follow with me, meantime I check with my colleagues too.

Wish you good health.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D