Also known as gravitational dermatitis, venous eczema, and venous stasis dermatitis, stasis dermatitis occurs when there is an issue with the circulation in one’s veins, typically in the lower legs. Pressure builds up as the blood tries to flow upward through the body and heart and causes fluid to leak out of your veins and into the skin. This condition typically occurs for those over fifty and is more likely to occur with women. Those with this particular type of eczema are also at a higher risk for developing contact dermatitis.
Scarring, such as the following, can result from more severe cases of this condition:
-Lipodermatosclerosis (scar-like changes in fat/soft tissues)
-Atrophie blanche (white scars surrounded by tiny capillaries)
-Lichenification (thickened skin from chronic scratching/rubbing)
The following conditions are known to increase your risk for developing this condition:
-Hypertension
-Varicose veins
-Congestive heart failure
-Kidney failure
-Obesity
-Multiple pregnancies
-Blood clots in the legs
If you suspect you may have this condition, consult your doctor or call us at 309-452-0995 or 217-717-4404 to find the best method of diagnosis/treatment for your individual condition.
Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, the following:
-Swelling (especially around the ankles)
-Redness
-Discoloring of the skin
-Scaling
-Dryness
-Itch
-Varicose veins
-Aching in the legs
-Oozing
-Cracking
-Larger ulcers
-Infection
-Shiny skin
-Infection (i.e. cellulitis)
