Symptoms of stasis dermatitis

The symptoms of stasis dermatitis include:

skin discoloration
itching
scaling
ulcers
You may also experience symptoms of venous insufficiency, including:

leg swelling
calf pain
calf tenderness
a dull ache or heaviness in your legs that gets worse when you stand

In the early stages of stasis dermatitis, the skin on your legs may look thin. Your skin may also itch, but try not to scratch it. Scratching can cause the skin to crack and fluid to seep out.

Over time, these changes can become permanent. Your skin may eventually thicken, harden, or turn dark brown. This is called lipodermatosclerosis. It may also look lumpy.

In the final stages of stasis dermatitis, your skin breaks down and an ulcer, or sore, forms. Ulcers from stasis dermatitis usually form on the inside of your ankle.

Common causes of stasis dermatitis

Poor circulation causes stasis dermatitis. Typically, poor circulation is the result of a chronic (long-term) condition called venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency occurs when your veins have trouble sending blood to your heart.

There are one-way valves inside your leg veins that keep your blood flowing in the right direction, which is toward your heart. In people with venous insufficiency, these valves become weak. This allows blood to flow back toward the feet and pool in your legs instead of continuing to flow toward your heart. This pooling of blood is what causes stasis dermatitis.

Varicose veins and congestive heart failure are also known causes of leg swelling and stasis dermatitis.

Most of the conditions that cause stasis dermatitis usually develop in people as they get older. However, there are also several causes that are unrelated to age, including:

surgery, such as using a leg vein for bypass surgery
deep vein thrombosis in your leg
traumatic injury to your lower legs

What are the risk factors for stasis dermatitis?

Stasis dermatitis affects people with poor circulation. It’s common among adults over the age of 50. Women are more likely to get it than men.

A number of diseases and conditions can increase your risk for developing stasis dermatitis, including:

high blood pressure
venous insufficiency (occurs when your veins have difficulty sending blood from your legs to your heart)
varicose veins (swollen and enlarged veins that are visible under your skin)
congestive heart failure (occurs when your heart doesn’t pump blood efficiently)
kidney failure (occurs when your kidneys can’t remove toxins from your blood)
obesity
injury to your lower legs
numerous pregnancies
deep vein thrombosis in your leg (a blood clot in your leg vein)
Your lifestyle can also affect your risk. You may be at a higher risk of getting stasis dermatitis if you:

are very overweight
don’t get enough exercise
sit or stand without moving for long periods of time

When to see your doctor

See your doctor if you notice leg swelling or any symptoms of stasis dermatitis, especially if the symptoms include:

pain
redness
open wounds or ulcers
pus-like drainage
You can connect to a primary care doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.

How is stasis dermatitis diagnosed?

To diagnose stasis dermatitis, your doctor will closely examine the skin on your legs. Your doctor may also order a venous Doppler ultrasound. This is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to check the blood flow in your legs.

How is stasis dermatitis treated?

There are several things you can do at home to help treat stasis dermatitis:

Avoid standing and sitting for long periods of time.
Prop up your feet when sitting.
Wear compression stockings.
Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating your skin.
Shop online for compression stockings.

Ask your doctor about the types of skin creams and ointments you can use. Avoid using the following products:

lanolin
calamine and other lotions that dry your skin
topical antibiotic ointments such a neomycin, due to possible allergic reactions
benzocaine and other numbing medications
Your doctor might tell you to put wet bandages on your skin and might prescribe topical steroid creams and ointments. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if your skin becomes infected. Surgery may be recommended to correct varicose veins if they become painful.

Treating conditions that cause venous insufficiency (such as high blood pressure and congestive heart failure) can also help control your stasis dermatitis.

What are the possible long-term complications of untreated symptoms?

If it’s left untreated, stasis dermatitis can result in:

chronic leg ulcers
osteomyelitis, which is a bone infection
a bacterial skin infection, such as abscesses or cellulitis
permanent scarring

How can stasis dermatitis be prevented?

Stasis dermatitis is usually the result of a chronic illness, such as congestive heart failure, so it’s difficult to prevent if you’re already ill.

However, you can reduce your risk by preventing the swelling in your legs (the peripheral edema) that causes it.

You can also lower your risk by exercising. Exercise is a great way to improve your circulation and reduce your body fat. Limiting the amount of sodium you consume can also help.