8 symptoms of leukemia on the skin

In addition to nausea, fever, and infection, leukemia can also cause bleeding under the skin, rashes, and fungus.

Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the blood cells and bone marrow. When you have the disease, your infection-fighting white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are overwhelmed by cancer cells. Here are some skin conditions that leukemia can cause.

Subcutaneous bleeding

Leukemia affects the production of platelets - blood cells that function to clot blood to stop bleeding. When platelet counts are low, patients often experience bleeding under the skin or even minor injuries.

Capillaries burst beneath the skin. If there are not enough platelets to block the damaged capillaries, blood leaks into the skin. In addition to petechiae (red spots on the skin), this can appear as purpura (larger red areas) or bruises. These spots usually take several weeks to disappear.

Cutaneous leukemia

As the disease progresses, leukemia cells that form in the bone marrow can migrate into the layers of the skin, causing skin lesions. These appear as hard bumps or nodules that range in color from reddish-brown to purple.

Vasculitis

Blood vessels and the area around them become inflamed, appearing as purple spots, petechiae (small purple, brown, red spots), or web-like purple lesions that develop on the skin.

People with leukemia often have skin lesions. Photo: Freepik — People with leukemia often have skin lesions. Photo: *Freepik*

Folliculitis

Leukemia inhibits the development of mature white blood cells that fight infection, making the body much more susceptible to skin infections. A common infection is folliculitis, which is caused by bacteria or fungus. Appropriate antibacterial or antifungal therapy (topical creams, oral medications) is usually used to treat folliculitis.

Ringworm

This is a fungal infection that appears as white, pink, red, or brown patches on the skin. It is most commonly found on the neck, chest, back, and arms.

Skin rash

A common allergic reaction to leukemia drugs results in a measles-like skin rash that usually develops 7 to 10 days after first taking the drug.

Chemotherapy rash

Leukemia often requires chemotherapy, and a side effect can cause rashes. Chemotherapy rashes resemble acne and usually appear on the face, scalp, neck, chest, and back. They cause symptoms such as pain, irritation, burning, and stinging.

Sweet's syndrome

People with leukemia have weakened immune systems and can develop a rare skin condition called Sweet's syndrome. Patients develop pink bumps or patches that look like insect bites, caused by inflamed neutrophils that invade the skin. In addition to the rash, the patient may have a fever or chills.

Mai Cat (According to Everyday Health )

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