According to dermatologist Dr. Joseph Jorizzo of Wake Forest University, “your skin can be a window to your underlying health.” Indeed, the skin isn’t just a protective barrier — it’s a messenger, often revealing what’s happening inside the body before any other symptom appears.
Changes in skin texture, color, or pattern can sometimes be harmless reactions to temperature or stress, but in other cases, they may hint at something deeper. One of the most intriguing examples is a condition called livedo reticularis, often referred to as mottled skin.
Livedo reticularis (LR) appears as a purplish, net-like or lace-patterned discoloration, most commonly on the legs or arms. The pattern results from interrupted or uneven blood flow close to the skin’s surface. In many cases, it’s simply a temporary reaction to cold or emotional stress — but occasionally, it can signal an underlying health issue.
This condition is seen more often in women between the ages of 20 and 50, as well as in newborns whose circulation is still developing. The discoloration tends to intensify in cold weather and fade as the skin warms up.
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