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Symptoms of stasis dermatitis
The symptoms of stasis dermatitis include:

• skin discoloration
• itching
• scaling
• ulcers

  

You may also experience signs related to venous insufficiency, including:

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

In the early stage of stasis dermatitis, the skin on the legs may look thin. It may also feel itchy, but scratching should be avoided. Scratching can make the skin crack and allow fluid to seep out.

Over time, these changes can become permanent. The skin may thicken, harden, or turn dark brown. This condition is known as lipodermatosclerosis. It can also appear uneven or lumpy.

In advanced stages of stasis dermatitis, the skin breaks down and ulcers or open sores form. These ulcers most often develop on the inside of the ankle.

Common causes of stasis dermatitis
Stasis dermatitis results from poor circulation. In most cases, this is caused by a long-term condition called venous insufficiency, which happens when veins have difficulty returning blood to the heart.

The veins in the legs contain one-way valves that normally keep blood flowing upward toward the heart. In people with venous insufficiency, these valves weaken. This causes blood to flow backward and pool in the legs instead of moving upward. This pooling leads to stasis dermatitis.

Varicose veins and congestive heart failure can also cause leg swelling and stasis dermatitis.

Most conditions that lead to stasis dermatitis develop over time with age. However, some causes are not related to aging, including:

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

What are the risk factors for stasis dermatitis?
Stasis dermatitis affects people with poor circulation. It is most common in adults over 50. Women are more likely than men to develop it.

Several diseases and conditions can raise the risk, including:

• high blood pressure
• venous insufficiency (when veins struggle to return blood from the legs to the heart)
• varicose veins (enlarged, swollen veins visible under the skin)
• congestive heart failure (when the heart cannot pump blood effectively)
• kidney failure (when kidneys cannot filter toxins from the blood)
• obesity
• lower leg injuries
• multiple pregnancies
• deep vein thrombosis in the leg (a blood clot in a vein)

Lifestyle habits can also increase risk. You may be at higher risk if you:

• are significantly overweight
• do not exercise enough
• sit or stand still for long periods

  

When to see your doctor
See a doctor if you notice swelling in the legs or any signs of stasis dermatitis, especially if symptoms include:

• pain
• redness
• open sores or ulcers
• pus-like drainage

You can connect with a primary care doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.

How is stasis dermatitis diagnosed?
To diagnose stasis dermatitis, a doctor will examine the skin on your legs carefully. They may also order a venous Doppler ultrasound, a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow in the legs.

How is stasis dermatitis treated?
Several home-based steps can help manage stasis dermatitis:

• avoid standing or sitting for long periods
• raise your feet when sitting
• wear compression stockings
• wear loose clothing to avoid skin irritation

Shop online for compression stockings.

Ask your doctor about appropriate skin creams and ointments. You should avoid:

• lanolin
• calamine and other drying lotions
• topical antibiotic ointments such as neomycin due to possible allergic reactions
• benzocaine and other numbing agents

Your doctor may recommend wet dressings and prescribe topical steroid creams or ointments. Antibiotics may be used if infection develops. Surgery may be recommended to treat painful varicose veins.

Treating underlying conditions that cause venous insufficiency, such as high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, can also help manage stasis dermatitis.

What are the possible long-term complications of untreated symptoms?
If left untreated, stasis dermatitis can lead to:

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

  

How can stasis dermatitis be prevented?
Stasis dermatitis is often linked to chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, so prevention can be difficult if an underlying illness is already present.

However, you can lower risk by preventing leg swelling (peripheral edema), which contributes to it.

Regular exercise can also reduce risk by improving circulation and lowering body fat. Limiting sodium intake may also help.