Calf Skin Changes Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

A.I. Health Assistant Causes for Calf Skin Changes

1. 1.Non - Specific Dermatitis (Skin Inflammation)

   Dermatitis is the inflammation ("-itis") of the skin ("derma" is a layer of the skin). It can be caused by any number of causes, from allergies to infections to autoimmune issues. Dermatitis of Normal Variation (also called, "NOS") means that all of those other causes of your rash have been ruled out. This is very common.

   1-2 days

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   red rash, itchy rash, painful rash

   Symptoms that always occur with non-specific dermatitis (skin inflammation):

   red rash

   Urgency:

   Self-treatment

2. 2.Non - Specific Skin Rash

   A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. Often, rashes are unidentifiable and some variation of normal. For example, scratching one's arm causes it to turn red (which is caused by mast cells releasing chemicals into the local area), but that's completely normal.

   1-2 days

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   rash

   Symptoms that always occur with non-specific skin rash:

   rash

   Urgency:

   Wait and watch

3. 3.Psoriasis

   Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. The patches mostly affect the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet.

   Psoriasis is a chronic condition. Often flare-ups come and go. In some cases, psoriasis goes away over time.

   Rarity:

   Uncommon

   Top Symptoms:

   itchy rash, red or pink, rough patch of skin, rash with well-defined border, painful rash, scaly rash

   Symptoms that never occur with psoriasis:

   fever, black-colored skin changes, brown-colored skin changes, blue-colored skin changes

   Urgency:

   Primary care doctor

4. 4.Pityriasis Rosea

   Pityriasis rosea is a common skin condition with no known cause. It is not contagious and does not usually lead to any dangerous complications. It most often appears as a larger "mother" patch which comes first, surrounded by smaller "daughter" patches which appear soon after.

   Pityriasis Rosea will go away on its own within 2-8 weeks

   Rarity:

   Rare

   Top Symptoms:

   rash, itchy rash, curved rash, rough patch with red spots around it

   Symptoms that always occur with pityriasis rosea:

   rash

   Symptoms that never occur with pityriasis rosea:

   blue-colored skin changes, black-colored skin changes, brown-colored skin changes

   Urgency:

   Self-treatment

   Calf Skin Changes Checker

   Take a quiz to find out why you’re having calf skin changes.

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5. 5.Benign Skin Growth

   Seborrheic keratosis is a condition that causes wart-like growths on the skin. The growths are benign (not-cancerous) and look like stuck-on plaques.

   Resolves with treatment

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   constant skin changes, itchy rash, rash with well-defined border, abdominal skin changes, neck skin changes

   Symptoms that always occur with benign skin growth:

   constant skin changes

   Symptoms that never occur with benign skin growth:

   cherry red lower leg bump

   Urgency:

   Wait and watch

6. 6.Peripheral Arterial Disease (Pad)

   Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when the big blood vessels, called arteries, become too narrow due to clumps of fat (called plaques) building up inside the walls. If arteries become too narrow, not enough oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the muscles, skin, and organs. The arteries in the legs are often affected first, as they are the furthest from the heart.At first, PAD has no symptoms. As it gets worse, leg pain is likely to develop, leading to cramps in the calf, thigh, foot, or buttock upon exercise. PAD can also increase the risk of a blood clot if a piece of plaque detaches, leading to serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke.Peripheral artery disease is much more common in smokers and in people with diabetes. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, and not getting much exercise also can put one at higher risk.

   The prognosis of this disease is highly variable and depends heavily on habits, medical history, and genetics. Peripheral artery disease is a chronic non-life threatening condition. Managing the disease, however, is very important in reducing the risk for stroke and heart attacks, so make sure to follow-up with a physician.

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   leg numbness, spontaneous foot pain, decreased exercise tolerance, cold feet, thigh pain

   Symptoms that never occur with peripheral arterial disease (pad):

   calf pain from an injury, thigh pain from an injury

   Urgency:

   Primary care doctor

7. 7.Type 2 Diabetes

   Diabetes causes that blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to become high. With Type II Diabetes, the more common type, the body does not make or use insulin efficiently. Insulin is necessary to metabolize glucose.

   Type II Diabetes is a life-long condition but can be well managed.

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   fatigue, increased appetite compared to normal, vision changes, feeling itchy or tingling all over, excesive thirst

   Urgency:

   Primary care doctor

8. 8.Cellulitis

   Facial cellulitis is a skin infection that typically comes from other parts of the face like the mouth or the sinuses and needs antibiotic treatment. Symptoms can be pain, redness, warmth and swelling of the affected area.

   Dependent on severity of infection

   Rarity:

   Uncommon

   Top Symptoms:

   fever, chills, facial redness, swollen face, face pain

   Symptoms that always occur with cellulitis:

   facial redness, area of skin redness

   Urgency:

   Primary care doctor

Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Calf Skin Changes

• Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
• Q.What color is the skin change?
• Q.Is your rash raised or rough when you run your hand over the area of skin?
• Q.Are there bumps on your rash?