Common causes of ankle rashes include infections, allergic reactions and insect or parasite bites, according to Healthgrades. Chronic ankle rashes may be caused by eczema or psoriasis.
Infectious causes of ankle rashes include measles, chicken pox, fifth disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, explains Healthgrades. Some allergic causes are a drug reaction, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis, such as a reaction to perfumed lotions. Bug bites and parasites that cause ankle rashes include bedbugs, body lice, fleas, ticks, mites and mosquitoes.
Other causes of ankle rashes may be stress or anxiety, Golfer’s vasculitis, heat, varicose veins and excessive methamphetamine use, states Healthgrades. An ankle rash may also be a symptom of a life-threatening condition such as anaphylaxis, erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Erythema multiforme is a type of severe allergic reaction, and toxic epidermal necrolysis is the loss of skin and mucosal due to a reaction to medication.
In addition to redness, symptoms of an ankle rash include pain, blisters, a change in skin texture, dry skin and itching, says Healthgrades. Other symptoms are inflammation, an accompanying rash on the legs, and flaking or peeling skin. Certain ankle rashes may cause symptoms in other parts of the body, such as joint pain, a decreased appetite, flu-like symptoms and red eyes.
