380: What’s Stasis Dermatitis (And What Does This Leg Rash Mean)? w/ Dr. Peter Lio

The Healthy Skin Show

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Ever been diagnosed with stasis dermatitis? If you’re dealing with swelling, redness, or relentless itchiness on your lower legs, it’s not just dry skin or aging—it could be a sign of poor circulation.

Stasis dermatitis is more than just a rash. If left unchecked, it can lead to painful ulcers, infections, and serious complications. It’s often mistaken for cellulitis, which means unnecessary antibiotics—and in one case, a patient was hospitalized 11 times before getting the right diagnosis. And heads up—it doesn’t just show up on legs. It can also affect areas like the belly and lower back where blood tends to pool.

To help us unpack this overlooked condition, I’m joined by Dr. Peter Lio—a board-certified dermatologist and eczema expert. He’s a Clinical Assistant Professor at Northwestern, Harvard-trained, and has published over 100 papers, including a textbook on integrative dermatology.

Dr. Lio breaks down what stasis dermatitis is, why it’s often missed, and how to spot it early. If you or someone you love has unexplained swelling, itchy legs, or chronic redness—don’t miss this episode!

⭐️Mentioned in This Episode:

- Dr. Peter Lio - https://chicagoeczema.com/

- See all the references 👉 http://www.skinterrupt.com/380

- Join in the conversation with Jennifer at http://instagram.com/jenniferfugo

- Stop My Rashes FREE eGuide - https://bit.ly/stopmyrashespod

- Fix your skin using Jennifer’s method (trusted by 900+ skin rash warriors)! Get started NOW 👉 https://gutskintriggers.com

- Want personalized help to fix your skin? Get started here with Jennifer’s virtual clinic 👉 https://bit.ly/4iWrq62 (We work with clients worldwide!)

🎙 This episode is brought to you by:

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Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. What is stasis dermatitis, and why is it often misdiagnosed? (00:02:41)

3. What causes blood to pool in certain places? (00:03:40)

4. How is stasis dermatitis diagnosed? (00:04:31)

5. Who is most at risk for stasis dermatitis? (00:06:39)

6. Are varicose veins harmless? (00:08:04)

7. How does stasis dermatitis present on different skin tones? (00:10:04)

8. What is venous hypertension and why is it so serious? (00:11:02)

9. What is cellulitis? (00:13:11)

10. Why stasis dermatitis is itchy (00:14:06)

11. Tips and tricks to help if you have stasis dermatitis (00:16:54)

12. Final thoughts (00:20:34)

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