common
Livedo reticularis
Livedo reticularis is a common skin finding consisting of a mottled reticulated pattern that appears as a lace-like purplish discoloration of the skin. The discoloration is caused by reduction in blood flow () through the arterioles that supply the capillaries, resulting in deoxygenated blood showing as blue discoloration (cyanosis). This can be a secondary effect of a condition that increases a person's risk of forming blood clots (), including a wide array of pathological and nonpathological conditions. Examples include hyperlipidemia, microvascular hematological or states, nutritional deficiencies, hyper- and diseases, and drugs/toxins.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Purpura, mottling of the skin, blood clots, skin discoloration
Causes — why it happens
- · diseases, hyperlipidemia, poisons, drug abuse
More in Blood Vessels
High blood pressure (hypertension)AtherosclerosisAneurysmDeep vein thrombosisPeripheral artery diseaseVaricose veinsVasculitisRaynaud's phenomenonLymphoedemaBuerger's diseaseAortic aneurysmThrombophlebitis
See all of Blood Vessels →Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.