Skin Changes on Ankle Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

A.I. Health Assistant Causes for Skin Changes on Ankle

1. 1.Lymphangitis

   The lymphatic system is a series of vessels, similar to the veins and arteries of the circulatory system, that carry fluid important for the function of the immune system. Lymphangitis is infection or inflammation of these lymphatic vessels.

   With treatment, the swelling may take weeks or months to resolve completely.

   Rarity:

   Rare

   Top Symptoms:

   fatigue, fever, chills, painful lump in one side of the groin, groin redness

   Symptoms that always occur with lymphangitis:

   painful lump in one side of the groin

   Urgency:

   In-person visit

2. 2.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

3. 3.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

4. 4.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

5. 5.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

   Skin Changes on Ankle Checker

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

   Take Quiz

6. 6.Tertiary Phase of Syphilis Infection

   Syphilis is a common sexually trasmitted infection (STI). Late phase, or tertiary, syphilis is uncommon, as it occurs years to decades after initial exposure to the infection. It is the most progressed and serious stage of the disease. Late phase syphilis infection can lead to loss of function of multiple organ systems, especially the nervous system, the heart and blood vessels, and the liver.

   Prognosis is variable and highly dependent on the individual. Late phase syphilis, unfortunately, often leads to the poorest outcomes due to damage of multiple organs.

   Rarity:

   Rare

   Top Symptoms:

   joint pain, fatigue, irritability, numbness or tingling sensations in skin, dizziness

   Urgency:

   Primary care doctor

7. 7.Allergic Reaction to Poison Ivy / Oak / Sumac

   Plants of the Toxicodendron genus are found throughout the continental United States, and exposure to these plants is a leading cause of contact dermititis, a medical term used to describe irritation and itching of the skin.

   With treatment, symptoms should resolve from a few days to two weeks.

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   rash, itchy rash, red rash, skin changes on arm, stinging or burning rash

   Symptoms that always occur with allergic reaction to poison ivy/oak/sumac:

   itchy rash, rash

   Symptoms that never occur with allergic reaction to poison ivy/oak/sumac:

   fever

   Urgency:

   Self-treatment

8. 8.Insect Bite From a Chigger

   Chiggers are mites that feed on humans and animals only while they are larvae, or their infant form. People can contract chiggers when they contact infected grass. Chiggers feed for three to four days on a piece of skin, and secrete a fluid that causes intense itching.

   Once treated, the pain and inflammation should go away within days. Sometimes, itching may persist for several weeks due to what is called a delayed sensitivity reaction.

   Rarity:

   Rare

   Top Symptoms:

   lower leg itch, lower leg redness, knee itch, ankle itch, ankle redness

   Urgency:

   Phone call or in-person visit

9. 9.Non - Specific Insect Bite

   Insect bites are very common. The saliva given off during the bit can sometimes cause dangerous allergic reactions that affect your ability to breathe. However, the vast majority of insect bites have no adverse effects besides the inflammation where the bite occurred.

   1 week

   Rarity:

   Common

   Urgency:

   Self-treatment

10. 10.Mosquito Bite

    Mosquito bites are very common. They often cause itchiness and redness.

    Usually clears up within a week.

    Rarity:

    Common

    Top Symptoms:

    mosquito bite

    Symptoms that always occur with mosquito bite:

    mosquito bite

    Symptoms that never occur with mosquito bite:

    fever, muscle aches, vomiting, loss of appetite

    Urgency:

    Self-treatment

Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Skin Changes on Ankle

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