Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsWhat It Looks LikeIs It Reversible?TreatmentPreventing Flares and PainMonitoring for Infection
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
What It Looks Like
Is It Reversible?
Treatment
Preventing Flares and Pain
Monitoring for Infection
This article will discuss what stasis dermatitis symptoms look like and its treatment options. It will also cover preventive measures.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Stasis Dermatitis: A Subtype of Eczema
Chronic venous insufficiencyis poor blood return within the veins. There are one-way valves in venousblood vesselsthat help bring blood back to the heart. As people age, these veins may not work as well. This allows blood to stay in the legs. Fluid can leak out of the vessels, causing swelling.
What Causes Symptoms?
When someone has chronic venous insufficiency, the blood pooling (stasis) causes fluid to leak out of the vessels. The pressure of the fluid from inside the skin causes stasis dermatitis symptoms.
How Does Stasis Dermatitis Look?
Stasis dermatitis can vary in appearance based on its severity.
It often appears on the lower legs, especially the inside of the ankle (medial malleolus). However, it can also show up on the arms and upper legs. The symptoms and stasis dermatitis include:
The condition can progress to skin thickening and changes in skin color. The itching can cause a person to scratch their skin, which creates open wounds. This increases the risk of infection and causes skin thickening and a leatherlike skin appearance.
Statis Dermatitis Scratching
Reversing Stasis Dermatitis: What’s Possible?
Treatment to Manage Stasis Dermatitis
Treatment to manage stasis dermatitis is based on the severity of the condition and the symptoms experienced:
How to Prevent Flares and Manage Pain
Pain is a common symptom associated with stasis dermatitis. It can be managed with anti-inflammatory pain-relieving medications likenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen sodium). Other pain relievers include Tylenol (acetaminophen) ortopical anesthetic creams.
Another preventive measure is vein ablation. This is a minimally invasive procedure that also promotes healing.The procedure uses microwave radiation to seal off veins that have venous insufficiency. People who have this procedure can return to work within days.
Ways to Support Heart HealthStasis dermatitis is the result of poor venous blood circulation. Supporting the heart and circulatory system may improve symptoms of this condition. Ways include:Elevate your legs.Exercise regularly.Limit sodium consumption.Maintain a healthy weight.Stay hydrated.Wear compression stockings.
Ways to Support Heart Health
Stasis dermatitis is the result of poor venous blood circulation. Supporting the heart and circulatory system may improve symptoms of this condition. Ways include:Elevate your legs.Exercise regularly.Limit sodium consumption.Maintain a healthy weight.Stay hydrated.Wear compression stockings.
Stasis dermatitis is the result of poor venous blood circulation. Supporting the heart and circulatory system may improve symptoms of this condition. Ways include:
Ongoing Monitoring to Avoid Infection
Skin infections are common in people with stasis dermatitis. Signs of askin infectioninclude:
In order to notice adverse changes, examine the affected area of skin daily. Let your healthcare provider know if you detect any signs of infection. Your provider will be able to recommend the best treatment plan.
Summary
Stasis dermatitis is an eczema subtype that typically affects the feet and legs. It causes itchy, red, and swollen areas that can become open wounds. Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms with compression stockings, creams, and, in some cases, surgery.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yosipovitch G, Nedorost ST, Silverberg JI, Friedman AJ, Canosa JM, Cha A.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis self-care.University of California San Francisco Department of Surgery.Chronic venous insufficiency.MedlinePlus.Skin infections.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yosipovitch G, Nedorost ST, Silverberg JI, Friedman AJ, Canosa JM, Cha A.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis self-care.University of California San Francisco Department of Surgery.Chronic venous insufficiency.MedlinePlus.Skin infections.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yosipovitch G, Nedorost ST, Silverberg JI, Friedman AJ, Canosa JM, Cha A.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis self-care.University of California San Francisco Department of Surgery.Chronic venous insufficiency.MedlinePlus.Skin infections.
Yosipovitch G, Nedorost ST, Silverberg JI, Friedman AJ, Canosa JM, Cha A.Stasis dermatitis: An overview of its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023;24(2):275-286. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00753-5
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Stasis dermatitis self-care.
University of California San Francisco Department of Surgery.Chronic venous insufficiency.
MedlinePlus.Skin infections.
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