Livedo of the Forearm in the Aftermath of Forearm Erysipelas

Abstract

Livedo is an ischemic dermopathy caused by vasculopathies or prothrombotic states, and characterized by the violaceous lace-like mottling of the skin. We report on a patient who developed livedo reticularis – livedo racemosa overlap syndrome as a late sequel of erysipelas, the livedo being restricted to the limb segment affected earlier by erysipelas and devoid of systemic vasculopathy. Though erysipelas and livedo are common disorders, we could not find in the literature reports of an occurrence like that observed in this patient. In this case a favorable prognosis of livedo could be predicted. In a different context, livedo may be the alarming signal of an undiagnosed systemic disease.