CAN DERMATITIS HAPPEN BECAUSE OF VEIN DISEASE?
WHAT IS DERMATITIS?
Dermatitis is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis can have many causes and occurs in many forms. It usually involves an itchy rash on swollen, reddened skin. Skin affected by dermatitis may blister, ooze, develop a crust or flake off. Skin inflammation in the lower legs caused by fluid buildup.
STASIS DERMATITIS:
Common signs and symptoms of stasis dermatitis include:
- Thickened, discolored (reddish) skin on the ankles or shins
- Itching
- It can improve to open sores, oozing and crusting
- Swelling
Stasis dermatitis occurs when varicose veins or other circulatory conditions cause fluids to build up in the lower legs. The swelling produces pressure beneath the skin and prevents adequate blood and oxygen from reaching the skin. There are more than 200,000 cases per year. Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be completely reversed. And also Requires a medical diagnosis. Stasis dermatitis is caused by fluid buildup due to vein disease of any form and or circulation issues. Skin discoloration of the ankles or shins, itching, thickened skin, and open sores (ulcers) are symptoms. Treatments may start with compression stockings and prescription creams, but would eventually lead to treating the underlying condition. In some cases, this condition is caused by Venous insufficiency which is a long-term (chronic) condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart. Some people with venous insufficiency develop stasis dermatitis. Blood pools in the veins of the lower leg. Fluid and blood cells leak out of the veins into the skin and other tissues.
BACKGROUND:
Stasis dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease that occurs on the lower extremities. It is usually the earliest cutaneous sequela of chronic venous insufficiency with venous hypertension and may be a precursor to more problematic conditions, such as venous leg ulceration and lipodermatosclerosis.
Accurate diagnosis is critical, as many patients admitted for the treatment of cellulitis actually have stasis dermatitis and lipodermatosclerosis.
Stasis dermatitis typically affects middle-aged and elderly patients, rarely occurring before the fifth decade of life. An exception would be patients with acquired venous insufficiency due to surgery, trauma, or thrombosis.
Stasis dermatitis occurs as a direct consequence of venous insufficiency(vein disease). Disturbed function of the 1-way valvular system in the deep venous plexus of the legs results in a backflow of blood from the deep venous system to the superficial venous system, with accompanying venous hypertension. This loss of valvular function can result from an age-related decrease in valve competency.
WHAT CAUSES STASIS DERMATITIS?
The mechanism by which venous hypertension causes the stasis dermatitis has been extensively studied for decades. Several theories have been proposed. A number of diseases and conditions can increase your risk for developing stasis dermatitis, including:
- venous insufficiency, which occurs when your veins have difficulty sending blood from your legs to your heart.
- Obesity
- injury to your lower legs
- numerous pregnancies
- a deep vein thrombosis in your leg, which is a blood clot in your leg vein
Your lifestyle can also affect your risk. You may be at a higher risk of getting stasis dermatitis if you’re very overweight, don’t get enough exercise, or if you sit or stand without moving for long periods of time. In the early stages of stasis dermatitis, the skin on your legs may look thin. Your skin may also itch, but try not to scratch it. Scratching can cause the skin to crack and fluid to seep out.
Over time, these changes can become permanent. Your skin may eventually thicken, harden, or turn dark brown. This is called lipodermatosclerosis. It may also look lumpy. In the final stages of stasis dermatitis, your skin breaks down and an ulcer, or sore, forms. Ulcers from stasis dermatitis usually form on the inside of your ankle.
HOW IS STASIS DERMATITIS DIAGNOSED?
To diagnose stasis dermatitis, Dr. Sassan Kaveh at our alpha vein clinic in Las Vegas will closely examine the skin on your legs. He may also order a venous Doppler ultrasound. This is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to check the blood flow in your legs. Stasis dermatitis is very nicely treatable through a simple in-office and only minimally invasive procedure. It is performed under local anesthesia and is well covered by most insurance companies. Early treatment is crucial to prevent further complications. Since the valves in the legs cannot be repaired, the only alternative is to reroute the blood flow from the diseased veins to healthy veins. Traditionally, this has been done by surgically removing (stripping) the troublesome vein from your leg. The Venefit procedure or MOCA occlusion , however, provides a less invasive alternative to vein stripping by simply closing the non-functioning vein. Once the diseased vein is closed, it remains harmless in the body and other healthier veins will take over.
At Alpha Vein Clinic in Las Vegas, our physician, Dr. Sassan Kaveh is highly experienced in diagnosing and treating Stasis Dermatitis and vein-related problems such as venous disease. Make an appointment today so we can not only help alleviate your symptoms, but also treat your venous insufficiency for a better quality of life. Just imagine your days without leg issues. Call the Alpha Vein Clinic at 702-430- 7661 and let our caring staff schedule an appointment that fits your schedule.
Alpha Vein Clinic
3150 N. Tenaya Way Ste. 400
Las Vegas, NV, 89128
(702) 430 7661
Dr. Sassan Kaveh
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