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Original poster

Weird rash on lower legs

54 replies

AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 29/12/2018 02:41

Hi everyone,

Please forgive the awful picture, but I am at my wits end. I have had an odd rash on both of my legs from about mid-calf down to my ankles, wrapping completely around both legs. I went to my doctor about a month ago and he told me it was eczema or contact dermatitis and gave me a cream to clear it up. The cream did not do anything.

Does anyone have any idea? It is not itchy or sore in the slightest, just looks awful.

Thanks!

Weird rash on lower legs
OP posts:
RagingWhoreBag · 29/12/2018 02:44

Couldn’t be from new washing powder? Looks about sock height!

Or cat flea bites? They go for ankles.

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 29/12/2018 02:47

Thanks for your post, Raging. My DS has super sensitive skin so we have not changed our laundry detergent in nearly 7 years. I wondered about flea bites (we have a cat) but they aren’t itchy and no one else has any bites.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 29/12/2018 04:56

Do you shave your legs? New gel? New razor? Shaving them dry? Body lotion? New tights that itch? Knee high boots that rub? Etc.....

Rafabella · 29/12/2018 05:18

Have you changed your moisturiser? Perhaps try something chemical and petroleum free.

Rafabella · 29/12/2018 05:23

Looks awfully like the random contact rash my son used to get as a baby and younger child. Bizarrely I found Earth Friendly Baby - red clover nappy cream dabbed on the rash cleared it up. The doc used to prescribe tubs of topical cream which only made things worse. Discovered my son was sensitive to the petroleum in it.

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 29/12/2018 16:00

Thanks for the responses. I haven't changed any of my shower products lately so am still just as confused as ever. And I have my winter legs on so there's definitely no shaving going on. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 31/12/2018 20:08

Bumping. I still have the rash on both legs, 3/4 of the way up my calves.

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 31/12/2018 20:21

Vasculitis? HSP?

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 31/12/2018 22:23

I didn't know what either of those things were so had to google. I would just go to my doctor but I moved recently and don't have a GP yet. I really don't want to have to go emergency unless absolutely necessary.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 31/12/2018 22:25

What do you treat the cat with?

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 31/12/2018 22:33

I'm sorry, what do you mean about my cat? We don't treat him. He doesn't have fleas.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 31/12/2018 22:33

Cats should be treated each month to prevent fleas. If you don’t then he will have them.

JuniperBeer · 31/12/2018 22:35

Is it smooth? Are there any bites or bumps or spots? Or does it look a bit like burst blood vessels like a petechial rash? I used to have this. It went away in the end, took a couple of weeks but couldn’t find a reason for it.

dementedpixie · 31/12/2018 22:36

My cats don't have fleas either but I still treat them monthly so they don't get them

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 31/12/2018 22:37

My vet said flea treatment isn't necessary unless he shows signs of fleas. He doesn't go outside, the spots aren't itchy or raised and no one else in the house has anything on them.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 31/12/2018 22:38

That’s not accurate. Cats should be treated.

Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 31/12/2018 22:39

@JuniperBeer they are not raised at all. I had no idea I had them. My daughter noticed them when we were sitting on the couch. I was clueless.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 31/12/2018 22:41

@Wolfiefan really? I'm blown away - we have never treated either of our cats in the last 10 years! If they were bites, wouldn't they be itchy?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 31/12/2018 22:43

Don’t know. We flea treat monthly and deworm every three months.
Thing is if you spot a flea they are generally crawling. Any black specks in fur? Easier to see if cat isn’t black!!!

JuniperBeer · 31/12/2018 22:46

Is it a petechial rash?

showmeyourgroovymoves · 31/12/2018 22:49

If your cat is an indoor cat, you don't need to deflea.

What about pop socks / socks etc? Many years ago I had a strange reaction to something but only on my legs. I had all the dermatologists stratching their heads until some bright spark realised I didn't have a rash on my bum. That was due to my underwear. I was wearing ribbed tights (very fashionable at the time Blush) and was allergic to the latex as tests later showed.

Plumpciousness · 31/12/2018 22:49

You can become allergic to something you weren't previously allergic to. I now develop a rash on my lower legs if my hands come into contact with liquid laundry detergent (even just pouring it into the washing machine. Powder detergent is fine though.). But my rash is itchy and doesn't look like yours.

Wolfiefan · 31/12/2018 22:50

Plump. Allergy to MI?
You do need to flea treat. You really do.

dementedpixie · 31/12/2018 22:52

Fleas can be brought into the house by people. You may not need to do it as often but you should still do it occasionally

dementedpixie · 31/12/2018 22:57

Cats protection advice:

Do Indoor Cats need Flea Treatment?

Yes!Although your cat may not leave the house, fleas could come in on the clothes and bags of other cat lovers, or on your own clothes if you visit a cat-owning friend and there happens to be a flea around. And of course, if you buy second-hand furniture. Or move into a new house. Flea your cat monthly! It's not expensive and it's better to be safe than sorry - and facing a big vet bill to treat a flea allergy. Your indoor cat will be happier and healthier.