A rash can also develop with advanced leukemia or as a result of leukemia treatment.
Other skin-related symptoms can include nodules, blisters, easy bruising, pale skin, and skin infections.
This article discusses the causes and symptoms of leukemia rashes and other skin changes.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
It also covers how each is managed or treated.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
What Skin Symptoms Occur From Leukemia?
In someone with leukemia, these cells are misshapen and nonfunctional.
Leukemia also damages the walls of blood vessels, making them vulnerable to rupture.
Leukemia rashes can appear just about anywhere on the body.
These are some of the skin conditions that can occur with leukemia.
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Unexplained bruises or sores in your mouth can be a sign of leukemia.
If you have concerns, bring them up with your healthcare provider.
Petechiae and Purpura
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They can resembleatopic dermatitis, a common skin rash.
The spots typically lie flat against the skin and are no larger than 2 millimeters in size.
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When the spot is between 2 millimeters and 1 centimeter, it is referred to aspurpura.
These lesions are typically raised but are also usually painless (although some can feel tender).
Unlike petechiae, purpura rashes tend to be irregularly shaped.
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Easy Bruising
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Spots over 1 centimeter are calledecchymosis.
The term is often used interchangeably with bruises.
When leukemia is involved, the bleeding is not due to trauma but by the absence of healthy platelets.
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Ecchymosis, also known as “leukemia bruises,” can appear for no apparent reason.
Leukemia Cutis
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Leukemia cutisis a relatively rare skin condition thats triggered by leukemia itself.
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It is typically seen with advanced leukemia or a form of the disease calledacute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Only around 2% or 3% of people with leukemia get leukemia cutis.
Leukemia cutis causes rash-like lesions on the arms, legs, and torso.
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Leukemia cutis is mainly treated by treating leukemia itself.
Localized treatments likephototherapy, external beam radiation, and low-energyelectron beam therapymay help ease skin symptoms.
Sweet’s Syndrome
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Sweet’s syndromeis a rare skin condition that affects some people with leukemia, particularly those with AML.
Sweet’s syndrome can affect people with leukemia as well as those without.
Sweet’s syndrome is treated with corticosteroid drugs that help ease inflammation.
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Mastocytosis
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Mastocytosis happens when white blood cells called mast cells overaccumulate in tissues.
The rash may also hurt or itch in response to changes in temperature.
Other symptoms of mastocytosis can include:
There are few treatments available for mastocytosis.
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These can be early signs of the disease.
Some of these symptoms include:
These symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter medications or medicated mouthwash.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe steroid medication.
Chloromas affect up to 9% of people with AML.
Chloromas can be managed with chemotherapy to treat the underlying leukemia.
Leukemia-Related Skin Symptoms
Besides causing a rash, leukemia may affect the skin in other ways.
These include petechiae, purpura, and ecchymosis, which often occurs during the early stages of the disease.
Other skin-related symptoms include easy bruising, pale skin, and bleeding more than usual.
Leukemia treatment can help resolve or improve skin symptoms, including rashes.
Other treatments may help treat the rashes themselves, including corticosteroids and phototherapy.
2018;10(12):e3734.
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National Library of Medicine.Systemic mastocytosis.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Mastocytosis.
Singh A, Kumar P, Chandrashekhara SH, Kumar A.Unravelling chloroma: Review of imaging findings.Br J Radiol.
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