Livedo ReticularisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Livedo Reticularis
Livedo reticularis (LR) is a skin symptom. It refers to a netlike pattern of reddish-blue skin discoloration. The legs are often affected. The condition is linked to swollen blood vessels. It may get worse when the temperature is cold.
Cutis marmorata; Livedo reticularis - idiopathic; Sneddon syndrome - idiopathic livedo reticularis; Livedo racemosa
As blood flows through the body, arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart and veins carry blood back to the heart. The skin discoloration pattern of LR results from veins in the skin that are filled with more blood than normal. This can be caused by any of the following:
- Enlarged veins
- Blocked blood flow leaving the veins
There are two forms of LR: primary and secondary. Secondary LR is also known as livedo racemosa.
With primary LR, exposure to cold, tobacco use, or emotional upset can lead to the skin discoloration. Women 20 to 50 years old are most often affected.
Many different diseases are associated with secondary LR, including:
- Congenital (present at birth)
- A reaction to certain medicines such as amantadine or interferon
- Other blood vessel diseases such as polyarteritis nodosa and Raynaud phenomenon
- Diseases that involve the blood such as abnormal proteins or high risk of developing blood clots such as antiphospholipid syndrome
- Infections such as hepatitis C
- Paralysis
In most cases, LR affects the legs. Sometimes, the face, trunk, buttocks, hands and feet are involved as well. Usually, there is no pain. However, if blood flow is completely blocked, pain and skin ulcers can develop.
For primary LR:
- Keeping warm, especially the legs, may help relieve the skin discoloration.
- Do not smoke.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- If you are uncomfortable with the appearance of your skin, talk to your provider about treatment, such as taking medicines that can help with the skin discoloration.
For secondary LR, treatment depends on the underlying disease. For example, if blood clots are the problem, your provider may suggest that you try taking blood thinning medicines.
Dr. Kirsner is a Tenured Professor, Chairman and holds the endowed Harvey Blank Chair in Dermatology in the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He currently serves as director of the University of Miami Hospital Wound Center and Chief of Dermatology at the University of Miami Hospital. Dr. Kirsner received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University (1984) and received his medical degree from the University of Miami (1988) and after his clinical training he completed his doctorate in Epidemiology from the University of Miami (2004). Dr. Kirsner completed a fellowship in wound healing (1992) and his residency (1995) in dermatology at the University of Miami. With research interests in Wound Healing and Skin Cancer Epidemiology, Dr. Kirsner serves on the editorial boards for a number of journals in Dermatology and Wound Healing and is Academic Editor of the journal, Wound Repair and Regeneration. He serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Dermatology and the Wound Healing Society, is past president of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care and the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. In addition to career development awards and industry sponsored funding, he is a recipient of NIH, ACS, CDC funding for his research. Independent of books, book chapters and abstracts, he has published over 500 articles. Dr. Kirsner is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Livedo Reticularis. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pyoderma Gangrenosum, Livedo Reticularis, Stasis Dermatitis and Ulcers, and Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL). Dr. Kirsner is currently accepting new patients.
Ljudmila Stojanovich practices practicing medicine in Belgrade, Serbia. Stojanovich is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Livedo Reticularis. They are also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. Their clinical expertise encompasses Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Livedo Reticularis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and Atherosclerosis.
Paulo Criado practices practicing medicine in Grande Abc, Brazil. Mr. Criado is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Livedo Reticularis. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Livedo Reticularis, Hives, Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU), and Chromoblastomycosis.
In many cases, primary LR improves or disappears with age. For LR due to an underlying disease, outlook depends on how well the disease is treated.
Contact your provider if you have LR and think it may be due to an underlying disease.
Primary LR can be prevented by:
- Staying warm in cold temperatures
- Avoiding tobacco
- Avoiding emotional stress
Published Date: June 03, 2025
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bartholomew JR. Other peripheral arterial diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 66.
James WD. Cutaneous vascular diseases. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 30.
Patterson JW. The vasculopathic reaction pattern. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2025:chap 9.