Most people hardly pause when they notice odd color changes on their skin. A light bluish tint here, a patch of redness there — easy things to brush off. But sometimes the skin speaks long before anything else in the body does. And one of the clearest examples of that is a condition called livedo reticularis.
At first glance, livedo reticularis looks almost decorative — a delicate, lace-like pattern running across the skin in shades of purple, blue, or reddish violet. It often appears on the thighs, calves, arms, or torso. For many, it comes out after stepping into the cold and disappears as soon as the body warms up.
But in other cases, this unusual pattern is a sign of something deeper happening beneath the surface. Sometimes much deeper.
What Is Livedo Reticularis?
Livedo reticularis refers to a mottled, net-shaped discoloration caused by uneven blood flow in tiny vessels near the skin’s surface. When these vessels constrict too much, fail to dilate properly, or become partially blocked, blood flow becomes patchy — and the marbled pattern becomes visible.
It often appears more strongly in cold temperatures and fades with warmth, which is why many people never think twice about it. Often, they’re right. But not always.
Two Forms: One Benign, One Concerning
There are two types of livedo reticularis, and understanding the difference is crucial.
1. Primary (Physiological) Livedo Reticularis
This is the harmless form. It’s common in:
children
teens
young adults
people with fair skin
Cold weather brings it out, warmth makes it vanish. No pain. No swelling. No persistent discoloration. It’s more of a physiological quirk than a medical problem. If your legs turn purplish after stepping from a hot shower into a cold room, that’s the benign form at work.
2. Secondary (Pathological) Livedo Reticularis
This type doesn’t fade — and may point to an underlying health issue. The pattern may remain visible even in warm environments or deepen in color over time. Here, the skin pattern is just the messenger.
This form is associated with:
autoimmune diseases
inflammation of blood vessels
clotting disorders
chronic infections
reactions to certain medications
rare systemic illnesses
If livedo reticularis persists, it should never be ignored.
What Causes It?
There’s no single cause — many different conditions can create the same appearance.
Cold Exposure
The simplest and most common cause. Cold makes blood vessels constrict, temporarily reducing blood flow and creating the characteristic pattern.
Vascular Diseases
Disorders like vasculitis or peripheral artery disease disrupt normal circulation, leading to mottled skin.
Autoimmune Disorders
Conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and especially antiphospholipid syndrome can affect blood vessels or clotting pathways. Sometimes the skin reveals these issues before anything else does.
Clotting Abnormalities
Blood that clots too easily — or not enough — can create uneven blood flow.
Medication Side Effects
Certain medications, including some prescribed for hypertension, psychiatric disorders, and Parkinson’s disease, can produce livedo-like patterns.
Rare, Serious Conditions
Uncommon but important to recognize:
Sneddon syndrome (associated with strokes)
Polyarteritis nodosa (a serious vasculitis)
Cholesterol embolization (tiny blockages from cholesterol fragments)
These are rare, but they’re the reason persistent symptoms should be evaluated.
Symptoms That Matter
The main sign is the web-like discoloration itself. But other symptoms can help you tell whether it’s harmless or more serious:
discoloration doesn’t fade with warmth
chronic coldness or numbness in the area
leg pain or heaviness
ulcers or open sores
joint pain
intense fatigue
headaches, vision problems, or neurological symptoms
history of blood clots or miscarriages (important in autoimmune disorders)
Temporary mottling after cold exposure isn’t concerning. Persistent patterns are.
How Doctors Diagnose It
A doctor will evaluate:
when it appears
how long it lasts
whether warmth makes it fade
any additional symptoms
They may order:
blood tests (autoimmune markers, clotting factors, inflammation)
a skin biopsy (rare, but sometimes needed)
vascular imaging or ultrasound
neurological testing if symptoms suggest it
The goal is not just to identify the skin pattern — but to uncover the reason behind it.
Treatment
Treatment depends entirely on the cause.
For Primary Livedo Reticularis
No medical treatment is needed. Simple lifestyle adjustments help:
staying warm
avoiding sudden temperature changes
keeping physically active
For Secondary Livedo Reticularis
The skin won’t improve until the underlying condition is treated.
Treatment may include:
blood thinners
immunosuppressants or steroids
medications to improve circulation
cholesterol-lowering drugs
managing blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking habits
More serious causes may require long-term monitoring.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical attention if:
the pattern doesn’t fade with warmth
discoloration worsens
you develop pain or open sores
you have fatigue, fever, or joint pain
you experience headaches or visual changes
Livedo reticularis can appear years before other symptoms of a serious condition — catching it early matters.
Listen to What Your Skin Is Telling You
The skin rarely hides trouble. When the body struggles, the skin often acts as an early warning system. Livedo reticularis is one of those signals — subtle, easy to ignore, but important.
Most of the time, it’s harmless.
But when it isn’t, it can be the first hint of a vascular, autoimmune, or clotting disorder that’s easier to treat when recognized early.
Your skin isn’t just a barrier — it’s a messenger. And sometimes, it alerts you to something you shouldn’t overlook.