Livedo reticularis

System: Skin & Nail Signs · All skin & nail signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

A net-like, mottled purple pattern on the skin of the legs or trunk, caused by sluggish blood flow in the skin's small vessels.

What a positive finding suggests

Mild forms are a normal response to cold; persistent forms are associated with vasculitis, antiphospholipid syndrome and cholesterol embolisation.

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Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.