Stasis dermatitis is a rash which occurs in the legs as a result of poor blood flow.

To better understand this condition, it’s first necessary to understand how blood circulates. It starts with our heart pumping freshly oxygenated blood out to all areas of our body. Once delivered, our body tissues use the available oxygen within this fresh supply and that same blood needs to be returned back to the heart. Stasis dermatitis occurs when this deoxygenated blood essentially gets ‘stuck’ in the legs.

There are several factors which can prevent blood from easily returning to the heart. First, it’s literally being pushed against gravity when returning from the legs. Any obstruction it encounters along the way will further impede this flow, including excess abdominal weight such as that seen during pregnancy or obesity. Another contributing factor is when the ‘one way’ valves in our deep leg veins don’t function correctly. These valves are supposed to prevent blood from flowing backward during its ascent to the heart. Whether due to genetics, age or injury, sometimes they just don’t work properly.

It’s not always possible to change the factors which cause stasis dermatitis (e.g., malfunctioning ‘one way’ valves), but some are preventable (e.g., excess abdominal weight). Your dermatologist will talk to you about the best treatment options based on the pattern, frequency and extent of your condition.