Picture of Livedo Reticularis
Livedo reticularis: A mottled purplish discoloration of the skin.
Livedo reticularis can be a normal condition that is simply more obvious when a person is exposed to the cold.
Livedo reticularis can also be an indicator of impaired circulation. Livedo reticularis has been reported in association with:
- Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Abnormal antibodies referred to as phospholipid antibodies. Examples of these antibodies are the cardiolipin antibody and falsely positive testing for syphilis.
- A syndrome featuring phospholipid antibodies with multiple brain strokes. It is felt that the blood of these patients has a propensity to clot which may predispose to stroke.
Image Source: Color Atlas & Synopsis of Pediatric Dermatology
Kay Shou-Mei Kane, Jen Bissonette Ryder, Richard Allen Johnson, Howard P. Baden, Alexander Stratigos
Copyright 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary by MedicineNet, Inc.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary by MedicineNet, Inc.