Poor circulation and blood pooling in the lower legs cause ulcers, inflammation, and itchiness. As it worsens, the skin’s color starts to change, and the ulcers open, resulting in stasis dermatitis. If not treated, venous stasis dermatitis Somerville can lead to health problems. This includes skin ulcers, bone infections, abscesses, or lower-limb amputation.
When your veins work ineffectively, they fail to return the blood to the heart efficiently. Veins have valves that help the blood move through. The valves help stop the blood from flowing back. The older you get, or if you have other health problems, the less effective your valves move blood up your legs. This is referred to as venous insufficiency. The conditions that are most probable to cause venous stasis dermatitis include:
High blood pressure
Hypertension puts excessive pressure on the blood vessels. This destroys the walls, making it easier for fat to accumulate, further narrowing the vessels. As the vein’s integrity is affected, the effectiveness diminishes. Keeping blood pressure in check, such as taking medication, exercising, dieting, and following your doctor’s recommendation, helps lower venous stasis dermatitis risk.
Obesity
Excessive weight causes many health issues, including impacting your circulation. The fat buildup can lead to blood vessel narrowing. As the vessels’ health is affected, they can’t efficiently transport blood to and from the heart, increasing chances of pooling and complications, including venous stasis dermatitis.
Weight loss is not an easy task. Nonetheless, considering the many health benefits it delivers, including lowering stasis dermatitis risk, it is worth the effort. This includes working with professionals to uncover more strategies that can up your weight management regimen.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy puts you at a higher risk of developing venous insufficiency, a leading venous stasis dermatitis cause. Among the pregnancy concerns increasing the risk is the enlarged gravid uterus. This leads to the obstruction of pelvic venous outflow and hormone secretion rise, weakening the vein walls. The good news is that the increased venous stasis dermatitis risk lapses after childbirth. Moreover, maintaining an active life throughout the pregnancy helps. This improves circulation and helps balance the hormones. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty staying physically active during pregnancy.
Lack of physical activity
Standing or sitting for long periods affects blood flow in your legs. This is more so since blood from the legs to the heart goes against gravity. A sedentary lifestyle impacts your overall health, including your cardiovascular system, affecting blood flow. Exercise helps strengthen your leg muscles, which helps push the blood up, making the valves work easier. Simple leg exercises like daily walks can significantly lower venous stasis dermatitis risk.
Age
As you age, the blood vessels’ health takes a blow considering the wear experienced over the years. Moreover, other health concerns, such as increased stiffness, put you at higher risk of experiencing venous stasis dermatitis. While you can’t reverse aging, adopting a heart-healthy diet and leading an active lifestyle can help lower the risks.
Venous stasis dermatitis can make the skin sensitive and painful, impacting the quality of your life. Measures like wearing compression socks, avoiding unhealthy foods, including items rich in salt, and elevating your legs, among others, can help manage the condition. Nonetheless, the best course of action is to know the risk factors and take relevant measures to reduce them. Contact Somerset Surgical Associates, LLC for more on venous stasis dermatitis, management, and treatment.