Leg skin conditions: symptoms, causes and treatment
The legs are a fundamental part of the body: they provide the mobility and balance for our body’s entire physical structure. As the lower limbs are constantly in motion, the skin of the legs is very elastic, but can be affected by dryness or other skin conditions.
Unlike the lower parts of the leg, the skin around the groin area is more delicate and is often moist, which can lead to rubbing, redness and lesions.
DRY SKIN
Dry skin of the legs is an increasingly common problem. Difficulty in blood circulation to the legs can be one of the key causes of dry skin in this area due to, in part, its distance from the heart.
INGROWN HAIRS
Ingrown hairs are hairs that, instead of escaping from the skin’s surface, bend and become trapped under the stratum corneum during regrowth. The trapped hair continues to grow under the skin, often causing a small pustule and inflammation of the follicle and, in more serious cases, can cause folliculitis.
IRRITATION FROM HAIR REMOVAL
Any kind of hair removal of the legs – whether by razor, by waxing, by depilatory cream, or by laser – inevitably causes skin irritation. Hair removal can cause itching and a burning sensation.
XEROSIS
Dry dermatitis (xerosis cutis), is an extreme case of dry or xerotic skin. When cells of the stratum corneum dry out and start peeling, the skin becomes scaly. This results in the accumulation of loose keratin scales which can vary in size and texture, from fine and delicate, to medium, coarse or layered.
GROIN ECZEMA
Inguinal dermatitis is a bacterial infection of the groin that causes redness and irritation of the skin. It is often confused for other skin fold conditions, such as mycotic intertrigo, which is caused by dermatophytes or candida.
TINEA CRURIS
Inguinal Mycosis also called Mycotic Intertrigo of the Groin or Tinea inguinum is one of the most frequent forms of Mycosis.
It mainly affects men and presents itself as a redness that starts from the inguinal crease and spreads to the inner part of the thigh.
CHAFING (GROIN IRRITATION AND REDNESS)
The groin fold is prone to flares of redness and irritation, which occur due to the maceration (chafing) of the stratum corneum. Chafing in the groin area can be the result of excessive sweating due to warm and humid environments, or from the overgrowth of bacteria.