Identifying Stasis Dermatitis His Doctor Referred Him to a Dermatologist

Magnant. “If patients with normal veins Remarkable Results Skin disorder, or vein disease? and normal skin cut themselves or get Both Bill and Walter underwent endovenous injured, those wounds will likely heal ablation to treat their venous insu ciency or years, William “Bill” Malcolm “Dr. Magnant is one of a kind,” remarks one-way valves in the veins become stressed pretty quickly. That’s not the case in and are now in the nal, follow-up phases. worked as a pressman for a custom Bill. “He’s very personable. He told me there and damaged. is creates higher pressure patients with stasis dermatitis and skin Each has achieved remarkable results as an folding carton business in Bu alo, was little venous blood flow in my legs. and the veins themselves begin to leak uids that’s damaged due to vein disease. outcome of their treatment. New York. When he rst retired, He said the compression socks were only into the skin, fat and other nearby tissues. “If these people have small injuries like “My legs are perfect,” enthuses Fhe and his wife were on the move as snow- a temporary x, but what he was going to Under these conditions, blood begins to bumps or small cuts, those usually don’t heal Bill. “Everything’s great. The swelling birds, but now they live in Florida full time. do would completely repair my legs. ey pool in the lower legs, leading to signs and nearly as well as a normal person’s wound. is all gone. The color is back to nor- “We started out by doing ve years of would be as good as new. symptoms of vein disease such as swelling, In fact, they will likely go from being very mal. Everything is as it was twenty- ve over-the-road camping,” he shares. “We “He told me a little bit about himself and heaviness and discoloration. is can lead to small, spotty wounds to being very large, years ago. Dr. Magnant’s o ce is doing a bought a big fifth wheel, and we camped about the procedure [he would use]. ere stasis dermatitis. open wounds over time because they gener- Doppler [ultrasound] tomorrow to make seven months down in Florida and five were no hidden factors as to what to expect, “Stasis means pooling,” informs Dr. ally get worse. ey grow and progress rather sure no blood clots have formed. at’s months up in the Bu alo area. Now we live in and he explained what the outcome should Magnant. “ e blood is static in this case than regress and heal.” where I’m at right now.” Worthington Country Club on a golf course, be. It’s been everything he said it would be.” because damage to the valves causes high As a vein specialist, Dr. Magnant Walter had a similar experience and he’s so I play golf three or four times a week.” pressure in the veins around the ankle and can recognize venous insufficiency right happy with how he’s progressed so far. Off the golf course, Bill also enjoys lower calf. Derma means the skin, and itis is away based on signs, symptoms and “ e results are good,” he reports. “ e swimming, shing and spending time with the su x in Latin for in ammation. Stasis physical examination. Insufficiency is swelling has gone down, gone away in some his grandkids. Being so active, Bill is on his dermatitis, then, is in amed skin secondary confirmed by performing an ultrasound cases. Before, my left leg felt like it was feet a lot. Earlier this year, he started noticing to pooling blood from damaged or leaky study. Dr. Magnant often treats venous heavy, but now it doesn’t. e in exibility some strange skin changes in his legs. valves, which is venous insu ciency.” insufficiency using a procedure called is gone, too. I go in tomorrow for the postop “Both legs started to turn a di erent JOSEPH G. MAGNANT, MD, FACS, RPVI Stasis dermatitis is a progressive con- endovenous ablation, either with radiof- appointment where they do an ultrasound color,” he describes. “ ey were looking pur- dition that starts with swelling when high requency (RF) or LASER energy to heat to see that there’s no clotting.” plish. On my right leg, I had little pimples pressure causes blood, which is mostly the veins closed. The discoloration on Walter’s legs similar to acne when you’re young. But they The vein lesson water, to seep through the thin-walled During endovenous ablation, a very has decreased considerably. Dr. Magnant Follow them on: weren’t the type of pimples that you’d want After a lengthy career as a superintendent veins and to settle into the leg tissues. In thin catheter is guided through a tiny nee- alerted him that all of the discoloration to break; they were like little bubbles, almost with Lockheed Martin in California, Walter* addition to water, other components of dle placed in the vein via a small puncture in might not be eliminated. He might be left like blisters. retired and relocated to sunny Florida where the blood, such as red and white blood the leg. Using either RF or LASER energy, with a hint of color in his legs, but Walter “My legs also began to swell. I had to ele- he’s been residing for nearly years. Walter cells, also ow into the tissues, causing diseased veins are gently collapsed and are says it’s barely visible now. vate my feet as often as I could. At night I had enjoys the climate in the Sunshine State, and pigmentation and damage to the skin. eventually absorbed by the body. “ ere’s some color there, but it’s not to spend a lot of time in my lounge chair.” because he’s originally from Seattle, he was like it was,” he describes. “It’s not that Bill’s rst instinct was to seek the advice fully prepared for the rainy summers. noticeable. You’ve really got to be looking. Smooth out your of his primary care physician, who suggested Now in his eighties, Walter isn’t quite NORMAL ABNORMAL e way it was before, it was going all the wrapping his legs in petroleum jelly at night as active as he used to be, but he still likes way up the calf. Now it’s down to the very problem veins and wearing compression stockings by day. the outdoors and working in his yard. He bottom, about six inches o the ankle.” Dr. Magnant welcomes all calls regarding When Bill’s legs showed little improvement, had to give up his favorite pastime, however, Both men were surprised to learn about this article as well as other topics related to Identifying Stasis Dermatitis his doctor referred him to a dermatologist. when he, too, began experiencing swelling, the cause of their condition. ey had no veins. His o ces are located at Royal “ e dermatologist took a biopsy of one discomfort and discoloration in his legs. idea that a problem with the veins could Palm Square Blvd., Suite , in Fort Myers and at Woods Edge Circle, Suite , in Stasis dermatitis typically a ects the lower legs, where the static of the a ected areas, and it came back neg- “I had some pain when I tried to wear a ect the legs so signi cantly. ey also were ative, which was good,” says Bill. “ en the casual shoes, like Gators, where you slip your pleased with the sta at Vein Specialists. Bonita Springs. Please phone () -VEIN blood pools. Symptoms of stasis dermatitis include: doctor advised me to go to Dr. Magnant.” feet in them. I’d be okay for an hour or two; “I didn’t know anything about this () for more information or to schedule an appointment. Visit his website, weknowveins. Joseph G. Magnant, MD, is a board- but after that, I couldn’t continue to wear vein thing until I went and talked to Dr. Swollen legs and feet com, or email him at [email protected]. Reddish, itchy skin certified vascular surgeon who special- them. It was hard to get my foot in one of Magnant,” notes Walter. “He also has very izes in vein treatment. His practice, Vein those, let alone in a closed toe shoe. competent people working for him.” Sores that may weep and crust over Specialists, which has o ces in Fort Myers Like Bill, Walter sought the counsel of “Everything was rst class,” agrees Bill. Get started today and Thickened skin and Bonita Springs, is dedicated to the his primary care physician. Walter’s doctor “ e procedure, from start to nish, took an scan the QR code. Scaling modern evaluation and minimally invasive recognized that Walter’s veins were an issue. hour or thereabouts. By the time they prep “Champagne glass” appearance treatment of leg vein disorders. “He didn’t know what was making you, wash your leg, get you all covered up (enlargement of the calf and narrowing of the ankle) “Bill’s condition is called stasis derma- my legs swell or why the discoloration was “ e red blood cells rupture because “Once the veins are sealed with endo- and then do the actual procedure, it’s about titis,” explains Dr. Magnant, “and it’s not there,” notes Walter. they are no longer where they’re supposed venous ablation, the wounds and the skin an hour. It’s not a long procedure, and the uncommon. It is a manifestation of venous Aware that Walter needed a specialist’s to be, in circulation,” observes Dr. Magnant. generally start healing pretty quickly. results are very well worth it.” disease that presents as a skin disorder as expertise, Walter’s primary care physician “ e hemoglobin in the red cells leaks out at’s because you’ve reversed the high Walter agreed that the procedure was Joseph G. Magnant, MD, FACS, RPVI, is a fellow of the American College opposed to large varicose veins or spider referred him to Dr. Magnant. and leaves a brownish pigment in the skin. pressure that was in the veins causing the easy to tolerate. He liked how Dr. Magnant of Surgeons and is board certi ed by the American Board of Surgery in veins. Because it’s a skin disorder, it’s often “My primary doctor looked at the dis- “ e white blood cells also die, and their symptoms or signs.” talked to him through it and made him feel vascular surgery. He earned his medical degree from Medical College of not investigated as a vein problem, but it coloration and at the way my ankles swelled,” cell walls then become permeable. ose Dr. Magnant was encouraged that very relaxed and comfortable. Take your FREE virtual vein Virginia. He completed a general surgery residency at Medical College needs to be.” relates Walter. “He said, at’s not arthritis. white cells contain enzymes that kill bacte- Bill’s dermatologist and Walter’s primary “During the process, you’re awake, and he consultation from the privacy of Virginia Hospitals and a fellowship in vascular surgery at Dartmouth- Dr. Magnant is passionate about recog- You need to see a vein doctor. ria, and when those cell walls open up, they care physician referred their patients to him explains exactly what he’s doing,” says Walter. and comfort of your own home Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH. Dr. Magnant of Vein Specialists nizing and treating venous disease in all its Like Bill, Walter was impressed immedi- let the enzymes out. Over time, the enzymes when they presented with their symptoms. Both Bill and Walter are happy to tell at eVeinscreening.com. focuses exclusively on vein evaluation and modern treatments in a dedi- forms, and that passion was the rst thing ately by Dr. Magnant’s personality and skill. leak into the skin and fat, causing scarring Many patients and even physicians don’t others of their outstanding experiences at cated, outpatient, vein-centered facility. Dr. Magnant is an active member that impressed upon Bill when he met the “Dr. Magnant was very congenial and and thickening of the skin. consider vein disease when the symptoms Vein Specialists and the exceptional care they of the American College of Phlebology, Society for Vascular Surgery and gregarious surgeon. Bill was amazed by easy to talk to. Once I arrived for my con- “Many people who have stasis dermatitis include leg swelling and skin issues and don’t received from Dr. Magnant. With the discoloration gone, Bill will show o Society of Vascular Ultrasound. what he learned about vein disease from Dr. sultation with him, he immediately knew are seen by dermatologists, who might treat include other vein-related signs such as vari- “I’m very pleased,” states Bill, “I would his legs by the pool. Magnant, and the best way to correct it. what was wrong. He’s a genius as far as I’m them with steroid cream, which just treats cose veins or stasis dermatitis. advise anybody that has this type of problem concerned. I had no idea about the veins, but the external signs of the disease. Instead, “ ese patients will often not have var- to seek an individual like Dr. Magnant. No he was very enlightening.” those patients need to be investigated to icose veins,” he emphasizes. “You can have doubt about it.” determine what’s going on inside the veins stasis dermatitis related to venous insu - “I already have recommended him,” From the inside out leading to the skin changes.” ciency without varicose veins. Just because adds Walter. “Like me, a lot of people A simple description of venous insuffi- you don’t have varicose veins doesn’t mean aren’t aware of this condition. I tell them, ciency, or venous re ux disease, is when Subsequent stages that the discolored skin around your ankle if you start having that problem, go see blood ows down the legs but can’t ow In the initial stages of stasis dermatitis, isn’t being caused by a venous problem. Dr. Magnant.” back up toward the heart. the lower third of the leg, called the gaiter “My recommendation for patients with FHCN article by Patti DiPanfilo. Photos by Jordan Pysz. Graphic Vein disease is caused when the tiny, region, begins to appear a little redder than any sort of discoloration around the skin in courtesy of Vein Specialists. Stock photo from istockphoto.com. the rest of the leg. As the destroyed white the lower half or third of their legs is to seek * e patient’s surname was withheld at his request. blood cells start causing damage, the skin a venous evaluation by a quali ed vein spe- becomes in amed. cialist. Even if their primary care doctors or “Where patients get into trouble is dermatologists tell them not to worry about that stasis dermatitis is a precursor or it, I would encourage patients to leads to venous ulceration,” warns Dr. be a bit more proactive.”

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