Bicycling & Stasis Dermatitis

Bicycling increases circulation in the lower extremities.

Stasis dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that occurs on the lower extremities and is caused by a buildup of fluid under the skin. It is a sign of chronic venous insufficiency, which affects up to 5 percent of people in the United States, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Immobility contributes to this condition; therefore, bicycling and other activities can help prevent stasis dermatitis and chronic venous insufficiency.

Identification

Stasis dermatitis occurs on the lower legs and ankles. It can consist of a reddish-brown darkening and hardening of the skin, and/or a scarring of the skin and fat known as lipodermatosclerosis. Often, the affected area itches. Ulcers, or open sores, may develop.

Cause

The calf muscles surround veins in the leg; when the muscles contract, it helps pump blood up from the legs to the heart. When the muscles aren't contracting over a period of time and not enough blood circulates back to the heart, the condition is called impaired venous return. Excess fluid and cellular waste products can then build up in the leg tissue, irritating the skin and potentially causing stasis dermatitis.

Prevention/Solution

Exercises such as biking strengthen your cardiovascular system and therefore can help prevent stasis dermatitis. As you pedal, your calf muscles contract and help move blood through your veins and back up to the heart, which also helps clear excess fluid from the leg tissue.

Effects

If you already have stasis dermatitis, exercise could be painful if ulcers develop. If the condition is left unchecked, you could begin to develop symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. These symptoms include fullness or heaviness in the legs, aching, cramps, pain and tiredness, and they worsen with standing or walking but are relieved by rest and elevation. Your calf could feel painful when compressed, so bicycling at this stage could be uncomfortable or impossible when you are pushing down on the pedals.

Treatment

If you develop any symptoms of stasis dermatitis, contact your health care provider. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, treatment can range from wearing elastic stockings to improve blood flow to corrective surgery for varicose veins. To have a better chance of avoiding stasis dermatitis, lead an active life with plenty of exercise and a healthy diet.

References

• Merck Manuals: Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Postphlebitic Syndrome
• Medstudents: Cardiovascular Physiology
• Scientific America: Why Do Veins Pop Out When Exercising, and Is That Good or Bad?
• Medline Plus: Stasis Dermatitis and Ulcers