Medically reviewed by Tanya Flohr, MD, on August 16, 2025
If you’ve been dealing with red, itchy or flaky skin on your lower legs, especially around your ankles, you might assume it’s just dry skin or a form of eczema. And you’d be partially right. But in many cases, these symptoms aren’t just about your skin; they’re a sign of a deeper skin issue resulting from poor circulation.
This condition is known as venous stasis dermatitis, or varicose eczema. It’s a form of eczema that develops when blood isn’t flowing properly through your leg veins.
Understanding this connection is important, and while treating the skin symptoms may offer short-term relief, the condition often worsens unless the core circulation problem is addressed. In this blog, Tanya Flohr, MD, lead physician at our Mechanicsburg, PA, vein clinic, discusses the causes of eczema related to poor circulation and ways to manage it through both home remedies and professional vein treatments.
Are you experiencing skin changes, leg discomfort, or swelling? Schedule a consultation with Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) to find out if your symptoms are related to vein disease. Call our Patient Services Representatives at 240-965-3915 or click below to book an appointment at one of our 110+ vein clinics nationwide. ⬇️
📅To schedule an appointment with Dr. Flohr in Mechanicsburg, PA, CLICK HERE.
Let’s start with the basics: Eczema is a general term for inflamed, irritated skin. Allergies, genetics, dry skin, or environmental factors can trigger it. But eczema from poor circulation, medically known as venous stasis dermatitis, has a different cause. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this condition stems from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which occurs when the veins in your legs don’t work effectively.
When vein valves become weak or damaged, they allow blood to flow backward and pool in the lower legs. This increases pressure in the veins, causing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues. Over time, this leads to:
NOTE: This form of eczema is most common in people with varicose veins, a family history of vein problems, or those who spend long periods standing or sitting.
What sets venous eczema apart from other types of eczema is its cause: poor blood flow from faulty veins, not allergies or dryness. Similar to other forms of eczema, venous eczema often starts with some subtle redness or itching near the ankles, but it can worsen over time and lead to serious complications such as open sores (venous ulcers) if it is not treated properly.
Don’t be fooled: Many people treat the skin with moisturizers or steroid creams but that only addresses the surface symptoms as a short-term fix. The real solution lies in treating the underlying vein disease. Treating venous eczema requires a two-part approach: managing existing skin symptoms and correcting the underlying venous issue.
You can reduce discomfort and prevent worsening symptoms by adding some simple habits to your daily routine.
Taking these steps can help relieve symptoms, but resolving the underlying issue requires addressing your circulation problem through professional vein treatment.
For long-lasting improvement, it is essential to treat the vein disease that’s causing the eczema. A vascular specialist will often begin with a non-invasive ultrasound to check blood flow and find faulty veins that are causing eczema. A vascular specialist will often begin with a painless ultrasound to check lower extremity circulation and find faulty veins.
Common treatments include prescription topical medications to reduce skin inflammation and relieve itching, as well as a range of minimally invasive vein procedures designed to improve circulation and prevent blood from pooling. These procedures may include endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which use heat to close off unhealthy veins; sclerotherapy, where a solution is injected into smaller veins to seal them; and ambulatory phlebectomy, a technique that removes large varicose veins through tiny incisions. These treatments target the root cause of venous eczema and help promote long-term skin healing.
These procedures are outpatient, require little downtime, and treat the root cause, allowing your skin to heal naturally.
Don’t wait until the condition worsens. Consider seeing a vein specialist if you notice symptoms including:
If you’ve already tried over-the-counter creams or prescriptions without success, it is time to look deeper. The cause might be your venous circulation, and treating it could bring not just skin relief, but overall leg health improvement.
At CVR, our specialists are trained to recognize and treat conditions such as venous stasis dermatitis using safe, modern procedures with proven results.
Venous stasis dermatitis may appear on the skin, but it’s rooted in your circulatory system. Treating both the skin symptoms and the underlying circulation issues that cause them is key to enjoying healthier skin, improved comfort, and better long-term outcomes.
✅ If you're ready to take the first step toward real relief, schedule your consultation with CVR today. Our team is here to help you restore comfort and confidence in your legs. Call our Patient Services Representatives at 240-965-3915 or click the button below to book a consultation at a vein clinic near you. ⬇️
Q: Can eczema from poor circulation go away on its own?
A: Unfortunately, venous eczema usually does not go away without treatment because it is caused by poor circulation. Managing the underlying vein issue is essential to finding lasting relief and maintaining healthy skin.
Q: How do I know if my leg eczema is from vein problems or something else?
A: If your eczema is mostly on the lower legs, especially near the ankles, and you also have swelling, heaviness, or visible veins, it may be vein-related. A vein specialist can perform a quick ultrasound to confirm.
Q: How long does it take to see improvement in my skin after vein treatment?
A: Many patients begin noticing relief from itching and irritation within a few weeks. Still, full skin healing can take a few months, depending on the severity of the condition and how long it has been present.
Q: Is venous eczema dangerous if left untreated?
A: Yes, over time, venous eczema can lead to serious complications such as skin thickening, infections, or painful leg ulcers. Early treatment helps prevent these issues and protects your overall leg health.
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