I have a bad back. l3-l5 herniation and deg. disc dis. it's been sore lately and i noticed the skin in the area is red/purplish and blotchy. worry?

Heating pad: Red and blotchy skin patterns in back of person with chronic low back pain likely due to chronic heating pad exposure. They should be of no consequence.

Possible worry.: If you have been using a heating pad a lot, the rash could be due to that - a condition called erythema ab igne - which is sometimes precancerous. If you are not using a heating pad, it could be shingles, or another type of skin infection. Either way, you should be examined by a dermatologist.