Stasis dermatitis is a chronic inflammation of the skin that occurs in the lower legs, especially the ankles, due to the difficulty of blood returning from the legs to the heart, accumulating in the region, resulting in symptoms such as redness, peeling and darkening of the skin. .
Stasis dermatitis, also called stasis eczema, venous eczema or gravitational dermatitis, can appear when there is a change in blood circulation in the area, occurring mainly due to venous insufficiency, but it can also be caused by kidney failure or heart problems.
The treatment of stasis dermatitis is carried out by a dermatologist, who may recommend the use of compression stockings or corticosteroid ointments, to prevent the emergence of complications, such as ulcers or infections, for example.
Symptoms of stasis dermatitis
The main symptoms of stasis dermatitis are:
- Red and hot skin;
- Peeling;
- Darkening of the skin;
- Brownish skin;
- Increased skin sensitivity;
- Leg pain, which worsens when standing or walking;
- Pain in the calves;
- Feeling of heaviness or tiredness in the legs;
- Itch;
- Swelling;
- Thickening or crusting of the skin;
- Cracks in the skin;
- Purple plaques or lumps on the legs or instep;
- Wounds or ulcers at the site of inflammation;
- Greater risk of bacterial infections at the site.
These symptoms can appear on the legs, being more common to affect the ankles, but they can also affect the lower part of the leg below the knee or the instep, for example.
When symptoms appear, it is important to consult a dermatologist so that a diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment can be started, in order to avoid complications such as varicose ulcers or infections. Understand what varicose ulcers are and how they are treated.
Online symptom test
Stasis dermatitis is a type of dermatitis, such as atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. To find out the chances of having dermatitis, please indicate the symptoms you present below:
This test is a tool that only serves as a means of guidance and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with a dermatologist or general practitioner.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of stasis dermatitis is made by the dermatologist through the evaluation of symptoms, health history and physical examination evaluating the characteristics of the skin.
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
In addition, the doctor may order tests such as Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the blood vessels in the leg and rule out deep vein thrombosis, which may have some symptoms similar to stasis dermatitis.
Possible causes
Stasis dermatitis is caused by poor blood circulation in the legs, due to damage or destruction in the valves of the blood vessels in the leg or obstruction of these vessels, making it difficult for blood to return from the legs to the heart, which leads to an accumulation of blood in the legs, and appearance of symptoms.
Some factors may contribute to the development of stasis dermatitis, such as:
- Chronic venous insufficiency;
- Age, being more common after age 50;
- Varicose veins or varicose veins in the legs;
- High pressure;
- Obesity;
- Multiple pregnancy;
- Cardiac insufficiency;
- Kidney failure;
- History of deep vein thrombosis;
- Venous surgeries;
- Injuries or trauma to the veins in the legs.
Furthermore, stasis dermatitis can also appear in people with a sedentary lifestyle or who practice little physical activity, or who work long hours sitting or standing.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of stasis dermatitis must be carried out under the guidance of a dermatologist and aims to improve blood circulation in the legs, thus reducing the accumulation of blood in the lower part of the legs and avoiding complications.
The main treatments that may be recommended by your doctor are the use of elastic compression stockings, corticosteroid ointments to reduce skin inflammation, or antibiotics in cases of infections.
In addition, the doctor should recommend not sitting or standing for a long time, raising the legs above the height of the heart whenever possible, and practicing physical activities, such as walking, to facilitate the return of blood to the heart.
Bibliography
- YOSIPOVITCH, G.; et al. Stasis Dermatitis: An Overview of Its Clinical Presentation, Pathogenesis, and Management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 24. 2; 275-286, 2023
- SUNDARESAN, S.; et al. Stasis Dermatitis: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 18. 3; 383-390, 2017
- AGNIHOTHRI, R.; SHINKAI, K. Stasis Dermatitis. JAMA Dermatol. 157. 12; 1524, 2021
