HomeAnswersDermatologystasis dermatitisPlease suggest treatment for skin damaged due to poor circulation.

How can I heal the skin that is damaged due to poor circulation?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Suvash Sahu

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At June 11, 2016
Reviewed AtJuly 5, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have dealt with leg swelling fairly constant for the last 10 years. The bottom of my legs including my ankles and feet are swollen every day. They have turned very dark. The discoloration was happening for about the last five years and has gotten worse over time. Basically, it will not respond to any type of moisture so that the area is always dry. I am overweight, but not diabetic. The only medication that I am taking currently is Coumadin, because I recently had a blood clot in my right leg. However, it is my left lower leg that has the most swelling and discoloration. How can I heal the skin that is damaged due to poor circulation?

Answered by Dr. Suvash Sahu

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your concern. It seems that you are having stasis dermatitis. It is a common inflammatory skin disease in middle-aged and elderly patients. Stasis dermatitis occurs more commonly on the lower extremities. It is usually the earliest cutaneous manifestation of chronic venous insufficiency due to overweight or prolonged standing, which lead to the pooling of blood and percolation in the dermis resulting in inflammation and causing dermatitis.

The Probable causes

1. Overweight. 2. Prolonged standing.

Investigations to be done

Color Doppler for venous insufficiency.

Differential diagnosis

1. Stasis dermatitis.

2. Lichen simplex chronicus.

Probable diagnosis

Stasis dermatitis.

Treatment plan

1. Keep the area clean with soaking in solution of Potassium permanganate in 1:10,000 dilution. 2. Apply good quality moisturizer twice daily and apply Propysalic NF (combination of Clobetasol Propionate and Salicylic Acid) lotion once daily for two weeks. Consult your doctor, discuss with him or her and take the medicine with consent.

Preventive measures

Put a pillow underneath your feet while sleeping, avoid prolonged standing and try to reduce your weight.

Regarding follow up

Revert back after a month to a dermatologist online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dermatologist

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Suvash Sahu
Dr. Suvash Sahu

Dermatology

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