Livedo

Livedo is a medical term used to describe a mottled reticular pattern on the skin. It is generally a symptom of an underlying condition, rather than a disease in itself. The term "livedo" is derived from the Latin word "lividus", which means "bluish" or "lead-colored".

Types of Livedo

There are two main types of livedo: Livedo reticularis and Livedo racemosa.

Livedo reticularis is characterized by a reddish-blue, net-like pattern (reticulum) on the skin. It is often seen in the elderly, especially during colder months, and usually disappears with warming.

Livedo racemosa is a more severe form of livedo that does not disappear with warming. It is characterized by a broken, irregular, and branched pattern. This type of livedo is often associated with serious conditions such as vasculitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, and Sneddon's syndrome.

Causes

Livedo can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels can cause livedo.
• Antiphospholipid syndrome: This is an autoimmune disorder that can cause blood clots and livedo.
• Sneddon's syndrome: This is a rare condition characterized by livedo racemosa and strokes.
• Raynaud's disease: This condition causes small blood vessels to narrow, leading to livedo.

Treatment

Treatment for livedo depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, treating the underlying condition can help to reduce the appearance of livedo. In other cases, livedo may be a chronic condition that cannot be fully treated.

See also

• Dermatology
• Vascular diseases
• Autoimmune diseases

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