10 Potential Calf Skin Changes Causes
Disclaimer: The article does not replace an evaluation by a physician. Information on this page is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.
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.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.Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Eczema is a form of skin inflammation that causes skin to be dry, itchy, red, and irritated.
This is a long-term, recurring condition but symptoms are manageable with care.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- trouble sleeping, feeling itchy or tingling all over, dry skin, scalp itchiness, flexor surface rash
- Symptoms that never occur with eczema (atopic dermatitis):
- fever
- Urgency:
- Phone call or in-person visit
4.Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that most often affects the lungs and skin, but can als affect the joints.
This condition has a broad range of severity. It often goes away on its own over time but some cases can cause permanent damage.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, joint pain
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
5.Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red, sore, or inflamed after direct contact with a substance. This condition most often affects skin of the hands, and may occur after repeated and prolonged exposure to substances such as water, detergents (soaps, bleach), solvents (such as gasoline), acids, powders, dust, and soil. The onset of the skin reaction is usually within 48 hours of coming in contact with the substance.
1-2 days.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- rash with well-defined border, itchy rash, red or pink, rough patch of skin, painful rash, red rash
- Symptoms that always occur with irritant contact dermatitis:
- rash with well-defined border
- Symptoms that never occur with irritant contact dermatitis:
- fever, black-colored skin changes, brown-colored skin changes, blue-colored skin changes
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
6.Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs, although it can also affect other organs in the body. The bacteria can lie dormant in the body for a long time (even years), until they start causing symptoms such as cough, fever, loss of appetite, and night sweats.
>6 months treatment with antibiotics.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, rib pain, dry cough
- Urgency:
- In-person visit
7.Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis is a condition where a protein, called amyloid, deposits in the body's tissues and organs (commonly the heart and kidneys). This can lead to dysfunction and damage in these tissues and organs.
This is a chronic condition, length of conditions vary depending on the extent at the time of discovery and treatment thereafter.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea, unintentional weight loss, dizziness
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
8.Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection of the feet and/or toes. Warm, moist environments and community showering are common causes of this type of infection.
With treatment, athlete's foot should go away in about 2 weeks. However, it often comes back, especially if the same shower or bathroom are used.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- foot redness, foot/toe itch, foot skin changes, spontaneous foot pain, peeling between the toes
- Symptoms that always occur with athlete's foot (tinea pedis):
- foot redness
- Symptoms that never occur with athlete's foot (tinea pedis):
- toe injury
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
9.Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)
Tinea Corporis is a common fungal infection of the skin. This rash is sometimes called "ringworm" and results in ring-shaped redness that is often itchy.
With treatment, the rash should resolve within 2-3 weeks
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- dry skin, rash, red rash, itchy rash, curved rash
- Symptoms that never occur with ringworm (tinea corporis):
- groin skin changes, fever, scrotal itch, groin itch, facial skin changes, hand skin changes, genital skin changes
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
10.Mononucleosis Infection
EBV Mononucleosis is a clinical syndrome characterized by fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
2-3 weeks
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain (stomach ache), cough
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Calf Skin Changes
- Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
- Q.Is your rash:
- Q.What color is the skin change?
- Q.Is your rash raised or rough when you run your hand over the area of skin?
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, try our calf skin changes symptom checker to find out more.
Take a quizCalf Skin Changes Symptom Checker Statistics
People who have experienced calf skin changes have also experienced:
- 9% Calf Lump
- 5% Calf Pain
- 4% Pain in One Calf
People who have experienced calf skin changes had symptoms persist for:
- 29% Over a Month
- 27% Less Than a Week
- 25% Less Than a Day
People who have experienced calf skin changes were most often matched with:
- 23% Non - Specific Skin Rash
- 18% Non - Specific Dermatitis (Skin Inflammation)
- 12% Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).