Purple Lace Type Of Discoloration On Lower Extremities Signify Livedo Reticularis - Dr. Nischal K צי

Purple lace like discoloration on the legs can be commonly because of varicose veins rather than livedo reticularis. Yes purple lace like discoloration can happen because of livedo reticularis but whenever you consider the occur ace, the varicose veins gives you much more prominent purple lace like discoloration than livedo reticularis. Varicose veins are much more common when compared to livedo reticularis. Livedo reticularis is a condition where there is a segmental vasculitis where some part of the blood vessel has some reaction and because of that there is an impairment in the blood circulation which gives you a net like pattern whereas varicose veins are mainly because of incompetent valves because of which there is a backflow of blood . There is a backflow of blood into the superficial veins and because of this the veins will look very prominent, they look tortuous and many at times they start bleeding and giving rise to pigmentation in the legs. Breathlessness and fatigue may not always be associated with purple lace coloured lesions on the legs. However very rarely since livedo reticularis is systemic disease, sometimes if there are involvement of internal organs , then in those situations or in cases of coexisting morbidities like diabetes or hypertension or chronic renal failure or in smokers .in these situations people can have breathlessness. But this alone may not be reason for fatigue and breathlessness.