Mottled skin is a term to describe skin that appears to have lacy patches of purple discoloration on it. The patchy-looking skin is often a chronic medical condition that looks worse when the skin is exposed to the cold. Mottled skin is also called livedo reticularis and it thought to be connected to vascular conditions and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
The most common symptom of mottled skin is red or purple patches most commonly on the legs, but this condition can also affect the arms and upper body. Primary livedo reticularis often has no known cause. However, other cases of mottled skin are classed as secondary livedo reticularis, meaning that it is caused by another underlying medical condition.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, livedo reticularis can also be seen in babies and young women, and is more prominent on the extremities, and is often accentuated by cold exposure. So for most people with mottled skin, avoiding the cold is the only way to prevent it from getting worse. Usually, the only way to cure mottled skin is to address the underlying cause, if that is known.
Symptoms of Mottled Skin (Livedo Reticularis)
The term livedo reticularis comes from Latin meaning “bluish net-like appearance.” According to MedScape.com, skin that is mottled develops a visible network of blotchy patches that can be anywhere from a red to dark purple color with pale skin in the middle.1
The Indian Dermatology Online Journal reported that mottled skin without any underlying cause mainly affects middle-aged women. However, both men and women can have the appearance of mottled skin if it is the result of another disease.2
Mottled skin more commonly affects the extremities like the hands, arms, feet, and legs. This is why many doctors ascribe it to a vascular condition.
Mottled Skin (Livedo Reticularis) Causes
There are many common and rare medical conditions that can cause lacy patches of discolored skin. Here are some of the more common reasons for having mottled skin.
Impaired circulation
Mottled skin can be caused by a number of medical syndromes that result in impaired blood circulation.
The Indian Dermatology Online Journal commented that livedo reticularis has been reported in people with blood circulation disturbances. The purplish patchy skin is caused by a lack of oxygenated hemoglobin-rich blood cells which causes the skin discoloration.2
Good blood circulation is important for a healthy heart and to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. For some practical tips on how to improve your blood circulation, please read my article on how to improve blood circulation naturally.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can cause mottled skin with net-like purple patches. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, lupus causes various skin diseases and livedo reticularis is just one of them. The doctors at Johns Hopkins say that lupus can cause mottled skin in babies and young women and is more noticeable in cold weather.3
Rheumatoid arthritis
Although rheumatoid arthritis often causes joint inflammation and pain, it can also cause mottled skin. Like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder but it usually affects joints in the body and causes deformity in these. However, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis often have dark, patchy skin.
Staff from DermNet New Zealand say that rheumatoid arthritis can cause skin changes resulting in dark purplish areas on the skin.4 Dr. David Zelman on WebMD says that rheumatoid arthritis can also affect blood vessels which can cause a painful rash on the legs.5
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome (or sometimes called Hughes Syndrome) is an immune disorder that can cause blood clots. Antiphospholipid is also associated with lupus and it affects young to middle-aged adults more than others.
According to dermatologists, one of the main symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome is mottled skin. Because of the increased risk of blood clots and circulation problems, it can also cause leg ulcers and put you at greater risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.6
Pancreatitis
Mottled skin with an appearance of a lacy network of purple patches can occur in people who have acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis happens when the pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed and causes severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, livedo reticularis can show up 2 to 3 days after the abdominal pain.7