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What Causes Red And Blotchy Swollen Ankles And Feet?
Question: I have been getting red blotchy swollen ankles and feet and painful, hard to walk....it will go away and then come back in a couple days. It has been happening about a month. I have pics I can show. Im not sure if it warrants going to the emergency room but hurts even when sitting with legs propped up.
Brief Answer:
Please provide more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have seen the attached pictures. You seem to be developing either venous eczema or schambergs disease.
I would like to know if you have any swollen veins over legs.
Does the redness just comes and goes or it leaves any darkening or pigmentation also?
Does your job require prolonged standing or walking?
What all are you applying over the affected areas?
Is there any associated itching or pain?
I am sure I will be able to help you more once you provide me the above details .
Dr Geetika Paul
Please provide more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have seen the attached pictures. You seem to be developing either venous eczema or schambergs disease.
I would like to know if you have any swollen veins over legs.
Does the redness just comes and goes or it leaves any darkening or pigmentation also?
Does your job require prolonged standing or walking?
What all are you applying over the affected areas?
Is there any associated itching or pain?
I am sure I will be able to help you more once you provide me the above details .
Dr Geetika Paul
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No swollen veins, yes, the redness comes and goes, as said before it lasts a day or two at most then goes away and comes back in a couple of days, it does not leave any dark pigmentation, it is not a rash as said previously,it is just red blotches so no need to apply anything topical, it is not itchy and yes it is painful a
nd hurts to walk, I am up and down all day at work, it only started about a month ago and been on my job 5 yrs. Im not overweight, I weigh 130lbs. it affects my feet, ankles and front of lower legs, this time it is lasting longer than usual.I looked up both conditions you state above and both involve rashes and itching and they look totally different than the pictures I uploaded, no Rash, no itching, no flaky or oozing skin, this is nothing to do with skin, very painful under skin, swelling, nothing topical, everything inside. I believe someone besides a dermatologist should answer this since there is nothing on the skin. Thank you!
It feels like someone has beaten my feet ankles and lower front legs with a hammer, feels very painful and bruised although no trauma at all has happened
nd hurts to walk, I am up and down all day at work, it only started about a month ago and been on my job 5 yrs. Im not overweight, I weigh 130lbs. it affects my feet, ankles and front of lower legs, this time it is lasting longer than usual.I looked up both conditions you state above and both involve rashes and itching and they look totally different than the pictures I uploaded, no Rash, no itching, no flaky or oozing skin, this is nothing to do with skin, very painful under skin, swelling, nothing topical, everything inside. I believe someone besides a dermatologist should answer this since there is nothing on the skin. Thank you!
It feels like someone has beaten my feet ankles and lower front legs with a hammer, feels very painful and bruised although no trauma at all has happened
Brief Answer:
Need evaluation for peripheral arterial status
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The absence of swollen veins and itching means that it is not a venous anomaly., thereby ruling out the probable diagnosis earlier suggested.
But owing to the amount of pain you have and the type of painful red lesions, I am sure we are dealing with a vascular problem especially arterial.
Peripheral Artery disease cause can lead to lots of pain especially rest pain which is particularly bothering.
I would suggest you to see a general physician who can assess the peripheral vessels and plan for a doppler or ultrasound of the vessels if needed.
There are certain factors which can particularly predispose to such a severe pain. These include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and a raised cholesterol. So you might be evalutated for the possible causes as well.
Now what is important for you is to take care and balance exercise with rest. Walk or do another activity to the point of pain and alternate it with rest periods. Over time, your circulation may improve as new, small (collateral) blood vessels form. In case you smoke, you should surely try and reduce it.
However , in case inspite of the above measures, the problem continues, then a direct examination by a specialist will be required.
Dr Geetika Paul
Need evaluation for peripheral arterial status
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The absence of swollen veins and itching means that it is not a venous anomaly., thereby ruling out the probable diagnosis earlier suggested.
But owing to the amount of pain you have and the type of painful red lesions, I am sure we are dealing with a vascular problem especially arterial.
Peripheral Artery disease cause can lead to lots of pain especially rest pain which is particularly bothering.
I would suggest you to see a general physician who can assess the peripheral vessels and plan for a doppler or ultrasound of the vessels if needed.
There are certain factors which can particularly predispose to such a severe pain. These include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and a raised cholesterol. So you might be evalutated for the possible causes as well.
Now what is important for you is to take care and balance exercise with rest. Walk or do another activity to the point of pain and alternate it with rest periods. Over time, your circulation may improve as new, small (collateral) blood vessels form. In case you smoke, you should surely try and reduce it.
However , in case inspite of the above measures, the problem continues, then a direct examination by a specialist will be required.
Dr Geetika Paul
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Keeps coming back and ended up in er overnight and they cannot figure out what is going on and now it has spread to my thighs also.
Brief Answer:
Need a direct assessment
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Your condition surely needs to be assessed by a specialist.
Since the problem had spread even to the thigh region , it becomes all the more necessary to do a proper vascular assessment and further investigate as required.
Although a direct examination of the area is necessary to reach a final diagnosis but going by the way things are progressing in your case, I suspect a vascular cause or even vasculitis in your case.
So my advice would be to observe the precautions as told earlier and try to see a dermatologist soon. You can discuss the possibilities as suggested by me with your treating doctor.
Dr Geetika XXXXXXX
Need a direct assessment
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Your condition surely needs to be assessed by a specialist.
Since the problem had spread even to the thigh region , it becomes all the more necessary to do a proper vascular assessment and further investigate as required.
Although a direct examination of the area is necessary to reach a final diagnosis but going by the way things are progressing in your case, I suspect a vascular cause or even vasculitis in your case.
So my advice would be to observe the precautions as told earlier and try to see a dermatologist soon. You can discuss the possibilities as suggested by me with your treating doctor.
Dr Geetika XXXXXXX
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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