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Stasis Dermatitis: Differentiation from Other Common Causes of Lower Leg Inflammation and Management Strategies

  • Dermatology and Wound Care (C Sayed and D Culton, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Stasis dermatitis is an inflammatory dermatosis of the lower extremities that most commonly occurs in elderly patients with underlying chronic venous insufficiency. In this article, we review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, differential diagnosis, and management strategies of stasis dermatitis.

Recent Findings

Stasis dermatitis can be confused with a variety of cutaneous disorders, including cellulitis, allergic contact dermatitis, pigmented purpuric dermatoses, and lymphedema; therefore, dermatology consultation of patients with lower extremity rash can help improve outcomes and decrease costs. Treatment of stasis dermatitis focuses on correction of the underlying venous insufficiency with compression or minimally invasive venous procedures and management of symptoms and skin changes with emollients and topical steroids.

Summary

Stasis dermatitis is an important disease with which clinicians should be familiar. Prompt recognition and treatment of stasis dermatitis can be important in the prevention of complications, such as venous ulcerations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Alexandra K. Rzepecki

  2. Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA

    Alexandra K. Rzepecki & Rachel Blasiak

Authors
  1. Alexandra K. Rzepecki
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  2. Rachel Blasiak
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Correspondence to Rachel Blasiak.

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Alexandra Rzepecki and Rachel Blasiak declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Dermatology and Wound Care

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Rzepecki, A.K., Blasiak, R. Stasis Dermatitis: Differentiation from Other Common Causes of Lower Leg Inflammation and Management Strategies. Curr Geri Rep 7, 222–227 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0257-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0257-x

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