What are the risk factors for stasis dermatitis?

Stasis dermatitis affects people with poor circulation. It’s common among adults over the age of 50. Women are more likely to get it than men.

A number of diseases and conditions can increase your risk for developing stasis dermatitis, including:

high blood pressure
venous insufficiency (occurs when your veins have difficulty sending blood from your legs to your heart)
varicose veins (swollen and enlarged veins that are visible under your skin)
congestive heart failure (occurs when your heart doesn’t pump blood efficiently)
kidney failure (occurs when your kidneys can’t remove toxins from your blood)
obesity
injury to your lower legs
numerous pregnancies
deep vein thrombosis in your leg (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:

are very overweight
don’t get enough exercise
sit or stand without moving for long periods of time

When to see your doctor

See your doctor if you notice leg swelling or any symptoms of stasis dermatitis, especially if the symptoms include:

pain
redness
open wounds or ulcers
pus-like drainage
You can connect to a primary care doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.