How to treat swollen feet and ankles

Effective Remedies and Treatments for Swollen Ankles and Feet

At this time of year, when the temperatures are rising, it is not uncommon for people to experience the problem of having swollen feet and ankles, and they search for swollen feet treatment or swollen ankle remedies in their nearby locations. The collection of fluid is the root cause of the swelling; your podiatrist may refer to this condition by its technical name in the medical field, which is edema. Edema is caused when fluid seeps out of capillaries, which are very small blood vessels, and into the tissue that is around them. Since of the force of gravity, your feet and ankles are more likely to swell than other parts of your body because it is more challenging for your circulatory system to transport the accumulation of fluid away from these places. To receive professional assistance with foot and ankle specialist Palmdale, contact Valley Foot Ankle Center immediately to schedule an appointment.

When the skin on your feet and ankles swells up, it can give the appearance of being overstretched and glossy. Because the swelling makes you feel uncomfortable and stiff, it is far more difficult than it would normally be to engage in physical activity. If your regular shoes and socks become too snug, you run the risk of developing blisters and other skin irritations if you continue to wear them.

The Most Common Reasons for Swollen Feet and Ankles

When you’re exposed to high temperatures, your blood vessels dilate, which lets heat leave your body and assists in maintaining a healthy body temperature. Nevertheless, fluid can quickly escape and saturate your tissue if you let it.

Being immobile for lengthy periods, whether sitting or standing, causes circulation to become impaired and causes fluid to pool in the feet and ankles.

Being overweight or obese — carrying around additional weight places stress on your lower limbs and circulation, which can lead to fluid retention in those areas of the body.

The natural process of aging causes your circulatory system to become less robust as you get older. As a result, you have an increased risk of developing swollen feet and ankles.

Consuming an excessive amount of salt—the British Heart Foundation recommends that adults limit their salt intake to fewer than six grams per day to help maintain their circulation—is a common cause of cardiovascular disease. Consuming an excessive amount throws off the regular balance of salt and water in your body, and as a result, your body tries to make up for it by retaining more fluid than it should.

When you take some prescription prescriptions, including steroids or blood pressure meds, you run the risk of experiencing a side effect known as edema. This can be quite uncomfortable.

Because of pregnancy, a pregnant mother’s body retains more water than usual, and the weight of the baby might hinder the circulation in her lower limbs, increasing the likelihood that she will experience swollen feet and ankles.

At-Home Remedy for swollen ankle and feet and how to Decrease the Symptoms of Swelling

You can try several different things to get some relief for swollen feet and ankles. The purpose of this is to improve your circulation and stimulate your blood vessels to reabsorb the fluid so that they can transport it out of your body.

Raise your feet and ankles so that they are slightly above your heart level; you can do this by lying down and propping them up with cushions for thirty minutes. The fluid will be moved more easily with the help of gravity.

Massage the areas that are swollen; use a soft touch and start at your feet and work your way up.

You may try some light exercise by lying down on an exercise mat, lifting your legs, and making a motion as if you were pedaling a bike with your feet. Swimming is another helpful activity.

Participate in a footbath by placing your feet and ankles in a bowl of warm water with Epsom salts. This will help to calm your feet and ankles while also increasing blood flow. (It is important to mention that diabetics should avoid soaking their feet.)

If you have to stand or sit for long periods, make sure to take frequent rests; a walk is the best option.

If you consume more than six grams of salt daily, you should lower your intake of salt by avoiding foods such as crisps, microwave dinners, and cooking sauces.

Maintain a healthy level of hydration by consuming close to two liters of water daily. If you are not drinking enough water, your body will wind up retaining more fluid than it ought to.

Put on some shoes that aren’t going to suffocate your feet and allow air to circulate them. Now is not the time to force your feet into awkward footwear. You might benefit from wearing socks that are a size or two larger and look for ones that wick moisture away from the feet.

Help for Swelling in the Foot and Ankle from an Expert

If the problem persists for more than a few days or if you find it very frustrating, do see our podiatry team at one of our London foot clinics for a professional examination, advice, and treatment. Home remedies can help you manage foot and ankle swelling, but if the problem persists for more than a few days or if you find it very frustrating, do see our podiatry team. We are also able to assist you in determining whether or not you might benefit from wearing compression socks, which help avoid further instances of swelling.

There is a possibility that the swelling is a symptom of a more serious underlying health condition, such as Charcot’s foot, an accident, an infection, or damage to the blood vessels. Therefore, you must seek assistance from a qualified specialist.

There is a remote possibility that swelling in the foot and ankle could be an indicator of a potentially fatal illness such as a blood clot. In the event that the swelling is abrupt and severe, that it is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, or that it affects only one side of the body, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Please bear in mind, however, that situations requiring immediate medical attention are uncommon, and edema is typically treatable at home or with the assistance of a podiatrist.

To receive professional assistance with foot and ankle specialist Palmdale, contact Valley Foot Ankle Center immediately to schedule an appointment.