Living with Necrobiosis lipoidica
A rare skin condition with raised, shiny red-brown patches on the lower legs, more common in people with diabetes.
Understanding Necrobiosis lipoidica
It is more common in women. There are usually several spots, which are slightly raised, shiny, red-brown patches. The centers are often yellowish and can develop open sores that heal slowly. Some people have itching, pain, or unusual sensations. It occurs more often in people with diabetes or with a family history of it, but can also occur in people without diabetes.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Raised, shiny red-brown patches on the lower legs
- Yellowish centers in the patches
- Open sores that heal slowly
- Thin or fragile skin
- Small visible blood vessels (telangiectasia)
- Itching or pain in some people
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Children's Skin Disease Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The exact cause is not known. About 11% to 65% of people with necrobiosis lipoidica also have diabetes.
Also known as: nld - necrobiosis lipoidica; oppenheim-urbach disease
Patient organizations
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Necrobiosis lipoidica.
Explore research for Necrobiosis lipoidica
Explore actively recruiting Necrobiosis lipoidica studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Necrobiosis lipoidica with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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