Stasis dermatitis refers to the skin

Skin

-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...

 changes that occur in the leg as a result of "stasis" or blood

Blood

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....

 pooling from insufficient venous return; the alternative name of varicose eczema comes from a common cause of this being varicose veins.

Insufficient venous return results in increased pressure in the capillaries with the result that both fluid and cells may "leak" out of the capillaries. This results in red cells breaking down, with iron containing hemosiderin

Hemosiderin

thumb|Hemosiderin image of a kidney viewed under a microscope. The brown areas represent hemosiderinHemosiderin or haemosiderin is an iron-storage complex. It is always found within cells and appears to be a complex of ferritin, denatured ferritin and other material...

 possibly contributing to the pathology

Pathology

Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....

 of this entity.

Symptoms

• The skin appears thin, brown and tissue-like, with possible skin lesions (macule or patches), red spots, superficial skin irritation and/or darkening and/or thickening of the skin at the ankles or legs.
• The skin may be weakened and ulcerate in areas.
• Legs, ankles, or other areas may be swollen.
• Open sores, ulcers
• Itching and/or leg pains

The cracks and poor skin condition of this disorder predisposes for the entry of bacterial infection causing spreading cellulitis

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a diffuse inflammation of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin. Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, blisters,...

 infection in the leg. If the skin condition deteriorates further and breaks down, a venous ulcer

Venous ulcer

Venous ulcers are wounds that are thought to occur due to improper functioning of venous valves, usually of the legs. They are the major cause of chronic wounds, occurring in 70% to 90% of chronic wound cases...

 (also known as stasis ulcer) may form.

Treatment

Treatment may consist of topical applications of steroid based creams and the use of compression stockings

Compression stockings

Compression stockings and socks are specialised hosiery items designed to increase blood circulation. Their main theraputic purpose is to provide graduated pressure on the lower leg and foot and, in some cases, the thigh, to alleviate circulatory problems such as edema, phlebitis and...

to help force the underlying buildup of fluids back out of the lower leg or sequential gradient pump therapy. Sequential Gradient Pump Therapy has been used over 30 years throughout the world.