Red spots on lower legs

[Sparrowtracks]

Every time I’ve shaved my legs in the past 3 months, there are awful-looking red/purple spots all over the calves of my legs. They don’t usually bleed, not like a shaving rash, more like under the skin. I know RA can cause vascular problems and I’ve brought it up to my immunologist a few times, but she just blows it off or blames it on prednisone (I am on a very low dose). Anyone else have this issues?

[nomoreheels]

I did years ago but I'm not sure we're on the same thinking because mine wasn't vascular related it was ingrown hairs, lots of them. I switched to an epilator after a friend let me borrow hers to see how I got on with it (& if the pain was bearable!). I'm pleased to say it was & I've not had one ingrown hair since, it must be around 10 years now.

Just thought I'd share that, I know it's not RD or medical related but it may be of help to someone else if not yourself.

[AgedCrone in reply to nomoreheels]

I was going to suggest exactly the same nmh.....epilators are so much easier, quicker

& no more tell tale nicks all up your shin bone!

[nomoreheels in reply to AgedCrone]

They're not painful to use either, or I don't find them so anyhow. It's a clean shave & I've fewer hairs as a result. Seems to slow down the growth somehow too. The one downside is I've to allow the hairs to grow longer than I would have when shaving but as long as they're long enough it works very efficiently.

[AgedCrone in reply to nomoreheels]

No not painful at all. They are so easy to pack too...as long as you only go where 220/240 volts are the norm...mine isn’t dual voltage...it is ages old....maybe they do battery or ones you can charge up now?

[Sparrowtracks in reply to AgedCrone]

I will have to check that out. Thanks for the info. Tired of being hairy

[AgedCrone in reply to Sparrowtracks]

Look on Amazon....personally i don’t think the £100+ Ones will be much superior to the cheaper ones...do read the reviews.

[Hessie5]

Hi - I get bruise marks if I have for example rested my elbows on my knees. I am on prednisone - I also find I get bleeding gums too. I think prednisone thins the skin.

[mrdiggs]

I'VE BEEN ON PREDISONE AND METHOTREXATE FOR ABOUT 7 YRS. I HAVE WHAT I WOULD CALL BLOOD SPOTS UNDER THE SKIN ON BOTH ANKLES AND SOMETIMES FURTHER UP MY LEGS, NOTHING TO DO WITH SHAVING THEM. THE SKIN SEEMS TO DEVELOP THESE FUNNY THIN SKIN BUMPS AND WHEN I PICK THEM OFF I GET ONE OF THOSE RED SPOTS.I KNOW IT SOUNDS AWFUL BUT THEY DRIVE ME CRAZY TO SEE THEM. I REALLY DO THINK THEY ARE A RESULT OF TAKING THE PREDNISONE BUT THAT'S BETTER THEN BEING IN PAIN 24-7. SO FAR HAVEN'T FOUND ANY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT DON'T THINK IT'S ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT HEALTH WISE BUT CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR TO BE SURE. JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THE JOYS OF RA-LOL.

[Hidden]

Has your rheumy seen it? I started with a leg rash and when my rheumy saw it, she immediately said "Rhematoid Vasculitis" A GP is unlikely to know about this, mine just sent me to dermatology. I'm not saying I'm right, it's just a thought.

[Sparrowtracks in reply to Hidden]

I see a naturopathic immunologist whose mum is a rheumatologist. What did you do to treat the vasculitis?

[Georgiab123 in reply to Sparrowtracks]

It happens when my bloods go wrong and iv got to stop methotrexate they go away when they tell me to start taking them again

[Georgiab123]

Hi it sounds like vasculitis it’s nothing to do with shaving you need to see your GP

[Sparrowtracks in reply to Georgiab123]

I’ve shown the spots twice to my immunologist but she keeps saying it’s from the prednisone. My skin has thinned overall, but the spots just appear on lower legs, which i’ve Read is a sign of vasculitis. She wants to switch me to planquenil so will be interesting to see if it clears up

[Georgiab123 in reply to Sparrowtracks]

Good try them and see if it clears up, it seems like what I get hope it helps you