Some severe infections can cause skin discolouration and mottling, including:
- Tuberculosis
- Rheumatic fever
- Sepsis
- Meningitis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is usually spread by breathing in tiny droplets from the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. The infection usually affects the lungs but can affect other body parts.
The infection can cause skin changes such as rashes, ulcers, and lumps to appear. Other symptoms may include:
- a persistent cough and bringing up bloody phlegm
- loss of appetite
- breathlessness
- fatigue
- fever or high temperature
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is a rare complication of a bacterial throat infection. It can cause tiny bumps to appear under the skin, and the symptoms usually appear up to 5 weeks after you have had a throat infection.
Sepsis
Sepsis is a serious, life-threatening condition and can be difficult to spot because there are so many possible symptoms. Sepsis can sometimes look like other conditions like a chest infection or flu.
Sepsis can cause your skin to change appearance. Some people with sepsis may develop a haemorrhagic rash, where clusters of tiny spots that look like pinpricks appear on the skin. It may also cause your skin to become blotchy.
If you suspect you or someone else may have sepsis, you should seek immediate medical help.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a serious infection that affects the protective membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord, also called meninges. Although it can affect anyone, it is common in babies, young children, and adolescents.
Symptoms of meningitis include:
- fever
- sickness
- headache
- stiff neck
- being unable to tolerate bright lights
- drowsiness
Another major symptom of meningitis is a skin rash. You can distinguish between a meningitis rash and one caused by sepsis by rolling a glass over it. If it does not fade, it can be a sign of meningitis. If you or anyone you know have symptoms of meningitis you should seek medical help immediately.
FAQs
Mottled skin causes a bluish-red, lace-like pattern under the skin. Also known as livedo reticularis, this condition happens when deoxygenated blood pools beneath the skin's surface. The condition has many causes, including cold exposure and chronic medical conditions.
What is the most common cause of mottled skin? ›
Livedo reticularis is thought to be due to spasms of the blood vessels or a problem of the blood flow near the skin surface. It makes the skin look mottled in sort of a net pattern with clear borders. The condition most often shows up on the legs. Sometimes livedo reticularis is simply the result of being chilled.
How to fix mottled skin? ›
As the skin warms up, the blood vessels open again, which leads to the mottled skin clearing up. This can affect both adults and children, but it is more common in children and young women. This is a harmless condition that does not require treatment. People can reduce their symptoms by warming their skin.
What autoimmune disease is associated with livedo reticularis? ›
Among autoimmune diseases, LR is most commonly associated with SLE, systemic sclerosis, and Sjögren's disease, though it has also been reported in association with dermatomyositis and Still's disease. Cases of LR in patients with rheumatoid arthritis should raise immediate concern for rheumatoid vasculitis.
What is mottling of the skin indicates which of the following? ›
Mottled skin occurs before death and is a strong indicator that death is imminent.
Is mottled skin a concern? ›
Mottled skin is usually nothing to worry about and clears up on its own, but in some cases, it may be caused by an underlying health condition. If you notice your skin looks mottled contact your doctor who will ask questions and examine you to check for any underlying causes.
What cancers cause mottled skin? ›
They include:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Inflammatory breast cancer.
- Kidney cancer.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Mycosis fungoides.
Results: Vitamin D deficiency (serum level ≤15 ng/ml) was documented in 49.5% of our APS patients versus 30% of controls (p<0.001) and was significantly correlated with thrombosis (58% vs 42%; p<0.05), neurological and ophthalmic manifestations, pulmonary hypertension, livedo reticularis and skin ulcerations.
What cancers cause livedo reticularis? ›
However, only a few cases of LR associated with malignancy, including renal cell carcinoma, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, have been reported.4, 5 The common underlying factor in the development of LR in most malignancies has been some form of vascular obstruction.
What medications cause mottled skin? ›
Drugs that are known to cause mottled skin include: amantadine. catecholamines. minocycline (Minocin)
The cause is most often reduced blood flow to areas of the skin, but there may be other factors. “The cause of mottled skin could be due to benign causes like temperature changes and stress or acute causes due to a medical condition symptom or a medication's side effect,” Dr. Pero said.
What is meant by mottled appearance? ›
Something that is mottled has spots or patches with different shades or colors, like the reddish blotches that can appear on your skin if it's exposed to extreme temperatures.
What is mottling referred to? ›
Mottling is sometimes used to describe uneven, discolored patches on the skin of humans as a result of cutaneous ischemia (lowered blood flow to the surfaces of the skin) or Herpes zoster infections. The medical term for mottled skin is dyschromia.
What medications can cause livedo reticularis? ›
Drug-related:
- Adderall (side effect)
- Amantadine (side effect)
- Bromocriptine (side effect)
- Beta interferon treatment, e.g. in multiple sclerosis.
- Livedo reticularis associated with rasagiline.
- Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine-induced peripheral vasculopathy.
- Gefitinib.
Livedo reticularis is a term referring to the appearance of a “net-like”, red-blue pattern on the skin. This term refers to the condition in infants and young children. It is usually a normal temporary response to the cold.
What is the difference between cutis marmorata and mottling? ›
In contrast to cutis marmorata, the mottling does not resolve when the skin is warmed, and the discoloration is bluish purple rather than red. The lesion is more intense and is persistent. Presumably, the condition results from slow or stagnant blood flow, vessel-wall pathology, and decreased oxygen tension.
