BATTENKILL VALLEY HEALTH CENTER

STASIS INFORMATION, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS? o Age (commonly >50 years old) o Gender: women slightly more affected o Medical History: o Varicose o High Pressure o Previous Blood Clot (including deep ) o Many pregnancies o Heart condition o Kidney failure HTTP://HEARTOFDIXIEVEINCENTER.COM/VENOUS-INSUFFICIENCY/ o Lifestyle: o Prolonged standing/sitting WHAT IS STASIS DERMATITIS? o Little/no exercise DEFINITION: o Excess body Stasis dermatitis is an inflammatory commonly seen in the lower legs, caused by the excess WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? pooling of blood in the veins. o Heaviness or aching with prolonged standing/walking This condition typically develops in people with poor o Swelling commonly at the end of circulation. The valves in the veins of the legs have one- the day way valves that play a crucial role in circulating blood o Itchy, dry skin through the extremities and back to the heart. With age o Darker colored skin (red or violet) and/or conditions such as congestive heart failure these o Scaling skin valves can weaken and not work as effectively. The poor movement of blood from the legs up to the rest of the WHAT IS THE TREATMENT? body results in blood pooling in the lower extremities. o /dressings Initially this excess blood manifests as leg swelling and o Elevate legs every 2 hours what are known as . With time, the pooled o Skin care as needed for blood causes the overlying skin to become dry, itchy, and pain/redness/swelling such as irritated, making it susceptible to complications such as corticosteroids ulcers and skin infections.

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BATTENKILL VALLEY HEALTH CENTER

WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER? Contact us with any Contact you provider if you notice any of the following: o Increased pain questions or concerns! o Increased redness Battenkill Valley Health Center o Any drainage o Open-wound or ulcer Phone: (802) 375-6566 TIPS TO MANAGE YOUR STASIS Website/Patient Portal DERMATITIS https://www.battenkillvalleyhealthc o Exercise! enter.org/ o Elevate your legs every 2 hours for 15 minutes o Take breaks while walking/standing for prolonged Address: 9 Church Street, Arlington, time periods VT, 05250 o Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing o Wear compression socks/dressings to improve circulation to your legs o Moisturize if your skin feels dry REFERENCES o The American Academy of Family Physicians: http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0415/p989.html o The American Academy of : https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/sta sis-dermatitis

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