Congestive dermatitis I83.1

Abacterial, acute, sub-acute or chronic dermatitis of the distal lower legs accompanied by swelling, redness and a feeling of tension in chronic venous insufficiency.

Diffuse lympho-histiocytic infiltrates of the dermis, edema, fibrosis, thickening of the vascular walls,

Primarily treatment of chronic venous insufficiency through decongestive measures. Elevation of the affected extremity is recommended to facilitate venous return. Compression therapy with short or medium-stretch bandages. Lymphatic drainage may also be recommended once the dermatitis has subsided.

For the treatment of acute stasis dermatitis, apply a low-potency glucocorticoid with an allergologically indifferent base(Vaselinum album, Unguentum emulsificans aquosum), e.g. 1% hydrocortisone ointment.

Affordable with appropriate therapy. If left untreated, the chronic complicative secondary conditions of CVI such as dermatoliposclerosis and venous leg ulcers develop.

Patients with stasis dermatitis are often sensitized to contact due to the long duration of the disease and numerous pre-treatments. Typical allergens are e.g. neomycin, wool wax, parabens, glucocorticoids, cetylstearyl alcohol.