Stasis dermatitis involves skin changes that are caused by poor circulation and the resulting pooling of blood in the lower legs. Also called gravitational dermatitis and venous eczema, this condition could develop with aging, but it could also indicate the presence of another condition, like kidney or heart disease.
orange-brown speckles of discoloration. discolored areas of skin, which may appear red on light skin and brown, purple, gray, or ashen on dark skin. heavy legs when standing for a prolonged period.
Stasis dermatitis is a red itchy rash on the lower legs. It occurs after long-term swelling of the lower leg, usually from poor blood circulation.
Unrelenting itchiness is a common side effect of the skin changes caused by chronic venous insufficiency, or poor circulation in the lower legs. Otherwise known as stasis dermatitis, itchy skin from vein disease isn't a symptom you should put up with or ignore — it's one you should treat as soon as possible.
What is stasis dermatitis? This is a common type of eczema that develops in people who have poor blood flow. Because poor blood flow usually develops in the lower legs, stasis dermatitis often appears near your ankles. Stasis dermatitis can occur in other areas of the body aside from the lower legs, but that's rare.
Varicose eczema symptoms
The skin looks red and can be slightly shiny (which is why some people mistake varicose eczema for an infection). The skin should feel cool to the touch, not warm. The skin gets flaky and scaly. The skin may also look 'rusty' or brown in colour.
Poor circulation can cause the skin in your fingers, toes and nails to turn a blueish color. This is known as cyanosis, which means there is too little oxygen reaching parts of your body. Diabetes can also affect the cells that make skin pigment which also changes the skin's color.
Anemia rashes appear as itchy skin or tiny red dots under your skin called petechiae. The rashes are symptoms of iron deficiency anemia and aplastic anemia. Both types of anemia can be serious, but they are very treatable.
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also known as IgA vasculitis) is a disorder that causes the small blood vessels in your skin, joints, intestines and kidneys to become inflamed and bleed. The most striking feature of this form of vasculitis is a purplish rash, typically on the lower legs and buttocks.
Common signs and symptoms of stasis dermatitis include: Thickened, discolored (reddish) skin on the ankles or shins. Itching. Open sores, oozing and crusting.
Symptoms of poor circulation are often easy to spot. They include muscle cramping, constant foot pain, and pain and throbbing in the arms and legs. As well as fatigue, varicose veins, and digestive issues. Leg cramps while walking and wounds that don't seem to heal in your legs, feet, and toes are also symptoms.
Leukemia cutis appears red or purplish red, and it occasionally looks dark red or brown. It affects the outer skin layer, the inner skin layer, and the layer of tissue beneath the skin. The rash can involve flushed skin, plaques, and scaly lesions. It most commonly appears on the torso, arms, and legs.
Mottled skin is usually a temporary condition. It occurs when blood flow to tiny vessels under your skin is disrupted. This results in a fine, bluish-red, lace-like pattern (reticula). The condition is also known as livedo reticularis.
Symptoms. Urticarial vasculitis usually begins with an eruption of skin lesions (wheals) and hives (urticaria), which cause itching, pain and burning sensations.
This rash occurs when small blood vessels begin to leak blood under the skin. Rashes from immune complex vasculitis may also appear red and bumpy. They may begin on a small area of the body, such as the ankles, and then spread to other areas, such as the abdomen and hands.
Over-the-counter pain medicines can relieve symptoms of mild vasculitis. For more serious cases, your provider may prescribe medicines. Corticosteroids reduce swelling in your blood vessels. For some types of vasculitis, you will need steroids for months or years.
Autoimmune rashes can look like scaly red patches, purplish bumps, or more. The appearance of autoimmune rashes will be different, depending on which autoimmune condition is triggering the skin rash. What is this? For example, cutaneous lupus may cause a scaly red patch that does not hurt or itch.
Dermatomyositis is a systemic autoimmune disease that often begins with arm and leg weakness as well as several different rashes including: a rash on the hands (Gottron's), around the eyes (heliotrope), and/or across the back and chest (shawl rash; see images at right).
Mycosis fungoides is a type of lymphoma—the most common form of blood cancer. When someone has mycosis fungoides, malignant cells in the blood travel to the skin. The most common mycosis fungoides symptoms causes lesions that appear as a scaly, itchy rash.
Risks include cardiovascular failure, stroke, and complications such as infected skin ulcers or blood clots. If you have poor circulation, wounds heal more slowly and it takes longer to recover from illnesses. Elderly people with this condition and who are immobile are at greater risk of stroke and blood clots.