What to expect from topical corticosteroids for stasis dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis commonly develops on the lower legs when fluid and pressure associated with impaired venous return affect the surrounding skin. It may cause itch, redness, scaling, tenderness or darkening. A topical corticosteroid can quiet the skin inflammation and make itching easier to manage during a flare.

The medicine does not remove swelling, heal an ulcer by itself or treat an infection. A clinician may assess circulation and recommend moisturising, leg elevation or compression when appropriate. Compression is not suitable for everyone without a circulation assessment.

Use a thin layer on the inflamed area exactly as prescribed, and wash your hands afterwards. Avoid applying it to open ulcers, weeping areas or suspected infection unless your clinician has specifically directed this. Moisturise dry surrounding skin with a suitable product, keeping it separate from any treatment instructions.

Protect the legs from scratching and minor injury. Follow guidance about movement, elevation and compression rather than starting tight compression independently. Check the skin regularly so a new wound or change in colour is noticed early.

Contact a clinician promptly for increasing warmth, pain, swelling, pus, spreading redness or an ulcer that is enlarging or not healing. Urgent help is needed for sudden one-sided leg swelling with chest pain or breathlessness. Get review if the rash does not settle, because contact allergy, infection and other leg conditions can look similar.

Ask whether your circulation should be checked before compression, which areas may receive the steroid, and how to protect or dress any ulcer. Ask how to recognise infection and when a follow-up is needed.