Doctors will use several different types of evaluations to determine what type of rash you have on your legs and what is causing it. You should anticipate an examination of your skin, both where the rash is located and surrounding skin, as well as a complete physical exam. The doctor will take into consideration the characteristics of the leg rash include whether it is scaly, macular, pustular, vesicular, papular, ulcerous, and the like. Evaluating the rash in this manner will help the doctor to determine the cause of the rash. For example, eczema frequently causes rashes that are popular or macular or other conditions like pityriasis rosea, contact dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, or even a reaction to drugs. Fungal skin infections, scabies, and even staphylococcus may result in a pustular rash on the legs. Rashes on legs that are bullous or vesicular could be due to dermatitis herpeiformis, chicken pox, bullous impetigo, pemphigus, or contact dermatitis. Scaly rashes on the legs are frequently caused by lichen planus, exfoliative dermatitis, psoriasis, or other conditions. Basal cell carcinoma may be the cause of an ulcerative rash. Due to the many different causes of leg rashes it is important to have a doctor or dermatologist take a look to find out what is causing the leg rash as well as determine how to treat it.
Doctors will also look for other locations of the rash. If the leg rash is located simply on the legs then it could be indicative of erythema nodosum, stress dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, keratitis piliaris, necrobiosis lipoidica, and the like. When rashes occur on the legs and other areas of the body then this lends itself to other types of illnesses, viruses, and the like.
Rash Questions
When you visit your doctor for your leg rash you should anticipate quite a few questions from your doctor. Direct and honest answers to these questions are important because they will help the doctor determine the cause of the rash. Remember, too, any important information regarding your rash, symptoms, overall general feelings, and the like should be shared with the doctor even if you aren’t asked directly. The more information you can share the more likely you will be to receive the right and correct decision.
Your doctor will likely ask you how long you have had the rash as where as how and when it started. He will probably ask if the rash started on your leg or spread there. The doctor will also ask if any others you have had contact with also have or have had a similar rash. Expect the doctor to ask about past skin disorders like scabies, hives, eczema and whether or not you have traveled anywhere new or bought new clothing. All the information you can provide will help your doctor determine the cause of your leg rash and prescribe you medicines, creams, or steroids to help you deal.