My father (age 56) has had a large red rash on his right leg for over a year now I believe, and it looks a lot bigger than it was before, I need help identifying what it could be. He has no health insurance, and can't get to a doctor. I believe he told me it was itchy, but not sure. Help!

Hi there!

I am sorry to hear baout your father, it must be a worry.

Leg rashes vary greatly in appearance, extent and severity depending on the underlying cause. Leg rashes may or may not be itchy and can be red, white, purple or silver in color. The texture of a leg rash can be flat, raised, bumpy or scaly and include flaking off or peeling of skin cells. Leg rashes can also appear as dots or spots or occur over a large, solid continuous area.

A leg rash can be a sign of a relatively minor condition, such as irritant contact dermatitis caused by exposure to an irritating substance. A rash on the legs can also be caused by an allergic reaction to a variety of allergens (allergic contact dermatitis).

Other causes of leg rashes include viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and varicose veins. Leg and foot rashes are also a complication of poorly managed diabetes and peripheral artery disease, which can cause skin changes due to poor blood flow to the extremities.

Leg rashes can have several serious causes. A rash of purple spots on the legs or other areas can indicate a potentially serious condition, such as allergic purpura. Any rash that is associated with allergies combined with shortness of breath, wheezing, or swelling of the face, mouth or throat is a symptom of a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Seek immediate medical care if he has any of these symptoms.

Seek prompt medical care if he does not have life-threatening symptoms but if the leg rash is getting worse, does not improve within a few days, or he does develop other symptoms.

Some other points about a leg rash. A leg rash can occur by itself or with other symptoms that affect the skin and possibly other areas of the body. Symptoms vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. For example, you may have flu-like symptoms if the leg rash is due to infection or inflammation. Some coexisting symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability, may be due to the underlying condition, or they may be caused by constant itching of the leg rash.
Skin symptoms that may occur with a leg rash
A leg rash may occur with other skin-related symptoms including:
Bleeding (from broken skin)
Blistering and possibly oozing of discharge from the rash or surrounding skin
Burning or pain
Change in skin texture
Cracked skin
Dry skin
Itching
Redness, irritation or inflammation
Scaling, flaking or peeling skin
Skin that is unusually cold to the touch, possibly a sign of peripheral artery disease
Swelling or puffiness around the rash

Any of these present with your dad?

It is true that leg rash can occur by itself but can also come with other symptoms that affect the skin and possibly other areas of the body. Symptoms vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. For example, you may have flu-like symptoms if the leg rash is due to infection or inflammation. Some other symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability, may be due to the underlying condition, or they may be caused by constant itching of the leg rash.

A leg rash may occur with other skin-related symptoms Does your dad have any of the following?

·Bleeding (from broken skin)
·Blistering and possibly oozing of discharge from the rash or surrounding skin
·Burning or pain
·Change in skin texture
·Cracked skin
·Dry skin
·Itching
·Redness, irritation or inflammation
·Scaling, flaking or peeling skin
·Skin that is unusually cold to the touch, possibly a sign of peripheral artery disease
·Swelling or puffiness around the rash