Itching in the lower extremities is a common phenomenon, unpleasant and inconvenient, leading to partial or complete limitation of motor activity. If irritation bothers you for a long time, the problem requires a solution.
The situation needs to be taken seriously. Itching can cause discomfort and become a sign of serious illness. Causes of irritation:
The causes of skin irritation vary. Diseases of the liver and kidneys, for example, cirrhosis and hepatitis, can cause irritation. It is worth paying attention to accompanying signs: dryness or bitterness in the mouth, characteristic “stars” on the legs.
Sometimes illnesses are accompanied by swelling of the limbs. If the signs are present, intense itching indicates a malfunction of the internal organs. To identify the cause, you will need to undergo a medical examination.
Eczema or psoriasis can cause itching in the calf muscles. The disease causes irritation, redness, ulcers and blisters; with psoriasis, whitish scales appear. The skin becomes extremely dry. Treatment of diseases is difficult; consultation with a doctor is recommended. Often these pathologies are difficult to treat and cause relapses.
People with weakened immune systems sometimes develop erysipelas. The disease is caused by streptococcal infection. Causes of appearance: sudden changes in temperature, bruises and injuries. Excessive tanning is dangerous and can provoke the development of pathology. You can become infected by contacting people with erysipelas. Itching of the lower extremities is accompanied by swelling, leading to elephantiasis, and abscesses. Erysipelas is treated in medical institutions immediately after the disease is detected: sometimes the consequences of the pathology are more difficult to treat than the disease.
Skin irritation is caused by a fungus that occurs from infection of an already affected area. It is a mistake to believe that the fungus can only affect the feet or the scalp (ringworm). The disease can damage any area of the skin. An infection gets into a wound or scratch, accompanied by severe itching, redness, and burning. Small cracks appear. A doctor can correctly diagnose the disease; you should not delay contacting a doctor. Then the treatment will bring the desired effect.
Let's consider the possible causes of irritation. Often there is no reason for serious concern. In the hot season, irritation is caused by the bites of blood-sucking insects. For example, when they bite a person, mosquitoes and ticks secrete a substance under the skin that prevents blood from clotting. The reaction of the epidermis is redness around the bite, itching. A special balm or gel can alleviate or relieve symptoms. For prevention, it is recommended to use ointments and gels that repel insects and prevent bites.
Scabies causes severe irritation to the skin of the legs. The cause of the pathology is a subcutaneous mite. Ticks actively move under the skin, leaving excrement, which becomes an irritant for the epidermis. The desire to scratch the bite sites intensifies in the evening and at night. Rashes and bubbles, small “tracks” appear. The disease requires a mandatory visit to a dermatologist if such signs of the disease are detected, then the treatment will have a positive effect.
Other causes of irritation are mechanical damage, scratches received from pets. In addition to the unpleasant fact of getting scratches, there is also the possibility of acquiring a serious problem, for example, an acute infectious disease. The infection enters an open wound from an animal's claws or a bite, causing irritation on the skin of the lower leg. Fever is transmitted in this way.
A person may experience headaches, joint pain, and fatigue. Blisters may appear around bites, scratches, and weight loss may occur. If such symptoms occur, the bite site must be thoroughly disinfected, then consult a doctor. In most cases, treatment involves taking antibiotics. As a preventive measure, monitor the behavior of your pets: do not allow animals to lick open wounds on the skin or damage the skin with their claws.
A common cause of itching is poor diet, which causes allergies. The disease is accompanied by redness and irritation on the skin. Formula-fed children are often susceptible. In adults, an allergic reaction is caused mainly by food allergens: types of exotic fruits, dairy products, selected vegetables, fast food, alcohol and a number of other products. You can relieve irritation on the skin of your feet and alleviate the symptoms a little by taking a bath with a small amount of soda. It is recommended to prepare baths with a decoction of herbs that reduce irritation. You will definitely need to contact a medical facility. Under the supervision of a professional, allergy treatment will provide the desired result.
Sometimes allergies are caused by hard or overly chlorinated water and medications. The use of cosmetics that contain artificial flavors, fragrances and other harmful substances can cause pathology.
Other causes of allergies: dust, animal dander, plant pollen. The disease is often accompanied by a runny nose, sneezing, and cough, so allergies are often confused with a cold. Getting rid of the disease is possible only with complex treatment. It will be necessary to eliminate other causes: plants, dust, pets.
Itching is caused by an allergy to cold. Severe hypothermia leads to irritation, accompanied by high fever, headaches, and dizziness. Sometimes my joints hurt. Blisters and a white or reddish rash appear on the skin of the legs. Frost on the street, a walk in rainy weather, or swimming in cold water can cause such phenomena.
If irritation or itching of your feet occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor. More often, such problems are solved by a dermatologist, but an examination by a therapist, allergist or endocrinologist may be necessary.
For a specific case, a diagnosis is made and individual treatment is selected. Resorting to self-medication is allowed only in the obvious and simplest cases, when the diagnosis does not raise questions: a mosquito bite or irritation of the skin of the legs from depilation. In other cases, consultation with a doctor is necessary.
Itching of the lower legs is a problem that is known to many. Sometimes the intensity of unpleasant sensations reaches a very high level, a desire to itch arises, resulting in wounds and scratching. The reasons for itching of the lower legs can be different. Quite often they are associated with disruption of important body systems.
Foot diseases always bring a lot of problems. Unpleasant sensations can sometimes limit physical activity. Why do your feet itch and what to do in this situation?
There are various reasons that can cause itching. Some of them pose virtually no danger, while others may indicate various problems and serious disorders in the body. Legs can itch in various places: lower leg, ankle, foot, front, back, under the knees.
Allergies are one of the most common causes. It is not always easy to identify an immune irritant. The number of allergens, as well as people sensitive to them, is growing rapidly.
Very often, an allergic reaction occurs to the following things:
With an allergy, not only does the skin itch, but additional symptoms are observed, such as spots, redness, and peeling of the skin. It often develops swelling in the form of urticaria. It can turn into spots, large itchy areas appear.
Allergies to medications can manifest as various types of rashes: redness, pustules, vesicles, papules. Only a doctor can diagnose the presence of the disease.
Many people associate itching and scabies with the occurrence of skin diseases. In many situations this is true. With skin diseases (dermatitis, psoriasis), itching is present in almost every case.
The course of the rash with dermatitis may vary depending on the type of pathology. With atopic dermatitis, small formations appear with fluid inside. When scratched, they tear, resulting in erosions that often become inflamed.
Psoriasis is characterized by rashes in the form of papules, plaques that slightly rise above the skin level. They can merge and, as a rule, are localized in the areas of the knee joints, in front of the lower leg.
The shins and other parts of the legs may itch if they are infected with a fungus. In such situations, the following symptoms are observed:
Another reason why your feet itch is ringworm. Depending on its type and individual characteristics, certain symptoms are identified. But in any case, redness occurs, the skin becomes stained, flakes, and flakes.
Many internal diseases can cause discomfort. The main ones are the following:
With varicose veins, the venous outflow is disrupted, changes occur in the tissues, which causes irritation and the desire to itch. Discomfort increases in the afternoon, after long periods of stress on the legs. This pathology often occurs among middle-aged and elderly people. Swelling of the legs below the shin is observed, veins are visible under the skin.
With diseases of the endocrine system, patients may experience sensations in the form of crawling goosebumps and itching of varying intensity. These phenomena are acutely expressed during a long course of the disease, if it is difficult to treat. Sometimes trophic changes in the skin appear, spots appear, dryness occurs, and elasticity decreases.
Some blood diseases such as polycythemia, Vaquez's disease lead to itchy skin on the legs. The disease develops due to high activity of the bone marrow, as a result of which the number of red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets increases, and, accordingly, hemoglobin, coagulability, and blood viscosity. The blood supply to organs is disrupted, blood clots occur, and hypoxia develops.
Liver pathologies can also cause itchy feet. This symptom is a frequent companion to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cholelithiasis. In addition to itching in the legs, patients experience heaviness under the right rib, weakness, and bitterness in the mouth.
Kidney failure is another cause of itchy feet. The limited excretory capacity of the kidneys leads to the fact that salts are excreted through the skin. Associated symptoms are swelling of the legs and face, pallor, dry skin, changes in urine analysis.
If a person is healthy and has no diseases, the causes of discomfort may be the following:
If the causes of discomfort are the above points, it is enough to eliminate or minimize the influence of negative factors, after which the problem will disappear.
If there are no external factors that provoke discomfort (allergy to chemicals, synthetics, depilation, etc.), you should consult a doctor to identify the main cause of itching. A fairly extensive list of possible factors requires proper diagnosis, so you shouldn’t wait until it starts to itch even more. If the itching increases intensely, you should immediately run to the doctor.
Treatment is selected taking into account the disease that led to the appearance of irritation in the lower extremities. If you eliminate the main cause, the itching and desire to scratch will go away. Only a doctor can prescribe treatment. Typically, the following treatment options are used:
To treat skin diseases, topical agents can be used: ointments, gels, lotions and others. Their composition includes anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antiseptic substances. The doctor selects treatment taking into account the individual characteristics of the pathology. The use of external agents is often combined with drug treatment.
In any case, there is no need to postpone visiting a specialist. Often, unpleasant sensations are observed in the acute period, during exacerbation of the disease. At this time, it is easier to identify the cause, cure the pathology, after which all unpleasant sensations will disappear.
Itching of any part of the body causes a lot of negative emotions. Sometimes a person is perplexed, not understanding the cause of itching. For example, such a problem as peeling and itching of the lower legs is familiar to many. But not everyone knows why it occurs. Dermatologists claim that the legs may itch due to allergies, fungal infections, or a general disease of the body.
It is not so easy to identify the allergen that caused itching in the shins. Today, many people who have not previously suffered from allergic diseases suddenly face this problem. The body can exhibit an allergic reaction to various substances.
Among the main allergens the following should be highlighted:
If an allergy develops, combined with itching, peeling, redness, and red spots will be observed, as shown in the photo. To clarify the diagnosis, you need to consult a dermatologist.
What to do if your shins itch in winter? This situation can also be attributed to allergic diseases. Thus, the body reacts to frosty weather. This condition does not require treatment, since it goes away as soon as the person enters a warm room and the body temperature stabilizes.
When identifying the reason why your shins itch, you should not forget that this may be one of the symptoms of a skin disease. Men suffering from psoriasis in almost every case report itching. If the patient has dermatitis, along with redness and itching, small pimples filled with liquid form on the skin. In the process of combing, they burst, liquid flows out, erosion and inflammation form.
Itchy spots on the shins of the legs may be a sign of a fungal disease.
If this is true, then in addition to itching, the following symptoms will be present:
Of course, these symptoms do not go away on their own. Qualified, comprehensive treatment is required.
If the front of your lower leg itches, there is a high probability of hormonal imbalance. Men suffer from this disorder much less frequently than women. As a result of a malfunction of hormones, itching, flaking, and a feeling of dry skin may occur. It is necessary to treat itch in this situation only comprehensively, regulating hormonal levels with the help of special medications. However, you cannot take them on your own. Therapy should only be carried out under the guidance of a physician.
What to do if the skin of your feet itches and peels? It is necessary to undergo screening for diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system. Often it is endocrine diseases that lead to the development of itching and peeling on the lower legs.
Another reason why a rash and itching may appear on the skin of the legs is nervous experiences and emotional stress. If a person is under constant stress, serious changes begin to occur in the body. A person in this situation, in addition to being constantly in an anxious state, suffers from insomnia, emotional stress and itching of the skin.
As with any other common diseases, therapy should be comprehensive. Including taking sedatives, antihistamines and restoratives.
Among the reasons why itching and red spots appear on the front of the legs, doctors also identify blood diseases. Due to an increase in the number of platelets, leukocytes and other components of the blood, its composition changes. This results in a variety of symptoms, including itching, redness and flaking.
If red spots appear on the skin of your legs, which peel and itch, you need to look for the cause of this condition. As a rule, itchy conditions occur against the background of the development of the underlying disease. Remember that itching, peeling and other unpleasant sensations that occur on the skin are only a symptom of diseases that occur in a hidden or open form. To make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you must consult a doctor.
Many women are familiar with the problem of itchy skin on their legs. Sometimes its intensity reaches a very high level, and the epidermis is scratched until blood and scratches appear. Most often, the legs below the knees itch - the reasons for this phenomenon are very diverse and can be associated with the functioning of many body systems.
First, let's look at the simplest and most easily removable causes of the described condition:
All of these factors can be adjusted independently, after which the discomfort and itching will quickly disappear.
Another common cause of the problem is an allergic reaction, including dermatitis. It is difficult to identify the true irritant of the immune system; among them there are often:
Allergies can be diagnosed by additional symptoms, for example, the presence of spots on the skin, peeling, and redness.
Unbearable itching of the skin in the area of the feet and ankles almost certainly indicates the proliferation of fungi. This disease, in addition to the symptom under consideration, is accompanied by characteristic damage to the nail plates, burning and severe hyperemia. The skin itches unbearably, which provokes scratching, blisters, wet wounds and abrasions.
Another reason why your legs below the knees are very itchy is lichen. Depending on the type of this pathology, individual symptoms are observed, but in all cases the epidermis is affected by spots that have a different shade from healthy skin. Often, lichen is accompanied by peeling and peeling of the skin, redness around the affected areas.
There are also more serious factors that provoke the described syndrome.
Most women experience itchy skin in the lower leg area due to hormonal imbalance. Excess progesterone in the body leads to dryness, cracking and flaking of the epidermis, which, in turn, provokes irritation and itching.
Endocrine diseases, especially diabetes mellitus, are also factors causing the condition in question. In addition to itching, tissue necrosis may begin over time.
It is also important to note that intense itching of the legs and feet often occurs after long courses of use of glucocorticosteroid hormones, both systemic and local use, due to the skin becoming accustomed to the active substance of the drug (dependence develops).
When your legs below the knees itch unbearably, it’s like the most terrible ordeal that has no end. Constant itching and an unbearable desire to stop it by scratching the skin can lead to small bleeding wounds appearing on the legs. However, regardless of the cause of the itching, you shouldn’t let your feet get ugly.
Often the leg itches below the knee for the simple reason that some skin disease has been activated in the body. In this case, in addition to itching, the following symptoms may appear on the legs: redness, rashes and other symptoms.
In order to understand why legs below the knees itch, let's look at all the most common causes and diseases. Among the many pathologies, the most common are dermatitis, varicose veins, and fungus.
Optical dermatitis is in most cases nothing more than diathesis. In this case, dermatitis can be presented on the skin of the lower leg as a significant inflammation that has a chronic form of the disease. Dermatitis can also appear as a result of an allergic reaction in any part of the body where the accumulation of toxins is maximum.
To date, several factors have been identified that can lead to the causes of severe itching. Among them, the greatest irritants are:
In addition to natural irritants, the causes of itching may lie in genetic predisposition and hygiene. By the way, very often atypical dermatitis occurs in children whose parents are trying to create ideal living conditions, protecting the baby from dust, dirt, various microbes, and allergens.
The consequence of this behavior can be the manifestation of the disease in varying degrees of severity, when the lower part of the leg itches strongly or not very much. In this case, the most basic and familiar objects for most people can become irritants: sugar, dust, pollen, etc.
Often, atypical dermatitis appears in children in the calf area. The exact reasons for the location of the rash are not known, but there is an assumption that the localization of the disease is based on slowing down the elimination of toxins and harmful substances from the lower parts of the extremities.
It should be noted that the danger of dermatitis during a cold is based on the fact that when one disease is superimposed on the second, a residual phenomenon in a child may be bronchial asthma. Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure asthma.
The disease dermatitis can be observed in 2 forms: chronic and acute. The last form, in turn, is divided into 3 more types:
Often the acute form of the disease is characterized by itchy legs below the knees, constant itching and a desire to stop it. This leads to the fact that over time the integrity of the skin is compromised, scratches form, and infection occurs.
Treatment of dermatitis is a comprehensive approach to identifying the cause of the disease and properly neutralizing it. In addition to medications, the doctor must create and schedule a special diet aimed at eliminating the cause, reducing the severity of itching, and cleansing the body.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are the most common pathology in economically stable countries, in which the veins in the legs expand. Varicose veins progress if: a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, bad habits, occupational costs, trauma or surgery.
Experts say that the veins in the legs with varicose veins itch very much when they move closer to the surface of the skin and the nodes protrude.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities in the first stages of development manifest themselves for most patients as itching, short-term numbness, cramps, and the appearance of small “worms and stars.”
Treatment for varicose veins is not very diverse. In the first stages, varicose veins can be treated with medications (ointments, creams, venotonics) and alternative medicine (compresses, baths, tinctures). In complex forms, varicose veins can be cured exclusively by surgical intervention.
Today, varicose veins are much easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, most people have become adherents of a healthy lifestyle, get rid of bad habits, and do not eat junk food.
Diagnosing fungus is a fairly common occurrence. It is determined if the leg or nail plate itches. In addition, the fungus can cause the activation of an allergic reaction, which can only be eliminated by a qualified dermatologist.
Only after a medical examination will the doctor be able to understand why the lower leg itches, identify the irritants, the type of fungus and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Most people, feeling itching and noticing redness on the skin of their legs, do not attach any importance to it. Many people do not pay attention to itching and redness in the shin area. When your legs itch below the knees, the reasons for this itching are of interest to everyone. And first of all, it is worth mentioning that irritation of the epithelium is to blame. Itching of the skin (including the legs) may suggest the presence of polycythemia or Vaquez's disease.
A common cause of itching, especially in the hot season, are insect bites, which are classified as blood-sucking insects. As a result, it turns red and begins to itch. The main pathological conditions in which the skin of the legs becomes red and itchy are: With this pathology, due to increased activity of the bone marrow in the blood, the number of red blood cells, as well as leukocytes and platelets, is sharply increased. Another pathology that can cause itching of the legs is Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Redness and itching in the lower legs may occur after eating chocolate, eggs, strawberries and other foods if a person cannot tolerate them. With this pathology, the skin of the legs turns red and becomes covered with blisters, which increase over time and fill with fluid.
The main symptom is the appearance on the skin (including legs) of clearly demarcated areas of redness, covered with whitish scales. Not only the affected area may itch, but also the skin around it. The disease periodically relapses.
In this case, the place where the affected vein passes becomes red, swollen, painful and itchy. When the thyroid gland malfunctions, pathological changes begin throughout the body, including in the skin of the legs. Manifestations of multiple sclerosis vary from numbness, itching of the legs and trembling of the hands to blurred vision, impaired balance and paralysis.
Because itching and redness of the skin on the lower legs may indicate serious health problems, you should not try to make a diagnosis yourself. You should not put off visiting a doctor for a long time, since the legs become red and itchy during the acute period of the disease.
With my rashes, I immediately ran to the hospital, because the itching didn’t let me sleep at night, and the spots were getting bigger and bigger. Upon examination, the doctor said it was eczema and prescribed comprehensive treatment.
An easy way to get rid of Itching and Irritation! During the process of peeling the keratinized epithelium and regenerating its new layer, itching is normal. Itching due to infection usually occurs when a small cut or wound occurs, through which germs and bacteria enter the deep layers of the epithelium. In this case, the itching on the legs begins small, but over time it intensifies significantly. What to do if your feet itch only in a certain place, the size of a 5-kopeck coin?
As for adults, itching of the legs below the knees can have a variety of causes, related to poor nutrition or dysfunction of internal organs. In their places, itching is normal, and you can get rid of it only by treating the underlying disease.
And this is a wool allergy. The surprising thing is that it can only occur through direct contact with an animal of a certain breed. And sometimes, if your legs itch below the knees, treatment simply means changing your image. What is the reason for this? Scratching the legs is only an accompanying symptom. It also happens that itching is an atypical reaction of the epithelium even to moisture. But all this can be quickly treated in the early stages of development.
The reaction then enters a chronic stage and can persist for a long time even in the absence of a stimulus. Do you agree? That is why we decided to publish an interview with Elena Malysheva, in which she reveals in detail the secret of why the skin itches and how to deal with it.
Pimples also began to appear on my shins and itch until they bled. After a while they stop itching and then they itch again. Many people are familiar with the situation of itching of the legs. With dermatitis, itching is usually accompanied by redness of the skin and various rashes. Another common cause of itchy feet is a fungus. In addition to itching, fungal diseases of the feet can cause a burning sensation, change the structure of the nails, and cause allergic reactions.
A fairly common complaint is itching of the skin in the lower extremities. Patients come to see a doctor and want to know why their legs below the knees itch and what needs to be done to cure it.
And this will not necessarily be associated with the condition of the musculoskeletal system; on the contrary, a similar symptom occurs to a greater extent with other diseases. This is partly true, since in some of them (atopic dermatitis and psoriasis) a similar symptom is observed in almost 100% of cases.
And in vain, this may be a manifestation of diabetes, an infectious process, eczema or psoriasis. Meanwhile, these symptoms may indicate the initial stage of a serious infectious or inflammatory disease. These items of clothing deprive the skin of the shins of the ability to breathe normally.
With this disease, due to disruption of all types of metabolism, the skin does not receive the necessary nutrients. Treatment is usually long-term, complex, with the participation of an endocrinologist, therapist and surgeon. Middle-aged and older women often suffer. The itching in Vaquez disease becomes especially severe after water procedures. To make a diagnosis, blood tests are necessary, and a bone marrow puncture is possible. The treatment is complex and lengthy and is carried out in a specialized hematology department.
Allergic reactions often occur to plants and animal dander. Hygiene products and even washing powder can also cause a similar reaction. A complex inflammatory and primarily non-infectious skin disease, which has several stages of development and is difficult to treat. Scientists still cannot say why this pathology occurs. This is a pathology that develops due to the fact that the bile ducts are blocked by stones.
Also, redness and itching on the legs can be caused by external mechanical stress, injury or insect bites. And at this moment it is easiest for the doctor to establish the real cause and cure the underlying disease, after which the feeling of itching and hyperemia will disappear. In this case, you need a full medical examination and only then, knowing the cause, can you help.
When fluid is poorly removed from the body, it stagnates in the tissues, causing swelling. First of all, the lesion manifests itself in the lower extremities. Happens on one leg or both.
Swelling of the lower leg is not a disease. The phenomenon is considered a sign of health difficulties, a signal of the need to make adjustments to the usual lifestyle. Common causes of edema:
If the legs swell due to a reason not related to the disease, getting rid of the problem will not be difficult.
If the swelling is chronic and the measures taken do not help, you should consult a doctor to determine the real cause. As a rule, after treating the cause, the swelling goes away on its own.
The causes of swelling of the lower leg vary; the appearance of a defect becomes a reason to conduct a full examination of the body. It is better to identify the disease at an early stage, when it is easier to cure.
The vast majority of expectant mothers experience swelling of the legs. Hormonal changes in the body occur, and poor nutrition is often observed. Weight begins to grow sharply, volumes increase. The functioning of the circulatory system changes, blood volume increases by two liters, and the body requires additional fluid. In addition, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the organs, preventing normal functioning. A lot of weight puts pressure on your legs, putting unnecessary strain.
Most often, swelling of the lower leg goes away completely within the first month after childbirth. If swelling does not subside, you should consult a doctor. The process of bearing a child puts a huge strain on the body; after childbirth, the body is not always able to quickly return to its usual mode of functioning.
To reduce the likelihood of developing severe swelling of the extremities, it is necessary to combine physical activity and rest. During pregnancy, doctors recommend walking in the fresh air. Swimming is extremely beneficial for expectant mothers. It has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, strengthens muscles, relieves stress, and helps avoid gaining extra pounds. At home, you should lie down more often; a horizontal position improves the functioning of the circulatory system, reduces the load on the kidneys and other organs. Heavy housework should be avoided, the shins will not hurt and swell.
If, in addition to the legs, the feet are also very swollen, you need to reconsider your diet. The reason lies in an excess of salty and spicy foods in the diet. Avoid eating various sauces. It is better to eat steamed. Focus on vegetables. You will have to reduce your consumption of fruit juices that contain excess sugar. Sugar and carbohydrates are the main reason for the consumption of excess water and the occurrence of edema of the lower extremities.
Drinking liquids should not be avoided completely. The body’s defense mechanism will work, and the swelling of the lower leg will only become stronger. The required daily intake is two liters of liquid, this includes water, teas, soups, liquid from vegetables and fruits.
To effectively get rid of swelling of the lower leg, it is recommended to visit a doctor to find out the cause of the appearance. It doesn’t matter whether the right leg or the left leg swells, or both at the same time. The result of treatment depends on a timely and correct diagnosis.