Edema is the medical term for swelling that occurs when excess fluid is trapped in your body’s tissue. This causes swelling and puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin in your feet, ankles, and legs. There are many reasons for swelling feet, such as being overweight, standing or sitting for too long, pregnancy, aging, lack of nutrients, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), poor blood circulation or physical exercise. An injury or surgery of the leg, ankle or foot can also lead to swelling, and people with diabetes, heart problems, liver or kidney diseases are more likely to have this problem. In itself it does not represent a disease but rather the symptom of an underlying disease.
Here are some home remedies you can try to bring down the swelling.
1. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a popular remedy for muscle aches and stress. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) not only help with muscle pain, It may also reduce swelling and inflammation. Epsom salt draws out toxins and increases relaxation. The absorption of the magnesium through the skin may boost the levels of the mineral in the body and decrease inflammation. Take a foot tub and fill with warm water, and mix 1/2 cup of Epsom salt in it. Soak your feet in it for about 15- 20 minutes. Repeat this remedy for up to 3 times a week.
2. Massage
Massage can be great for swollen feet and can also promote relaxation. Massage your feet toward your heart with firm strokes and some pressure. This can help move the fluid out of the area and reduce swelling. Ginger essential oil has antiseptic, antifungal, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Mix the ginger essential oil with a carrier oil (Olive oil, Coconut oil, mustard oil, etc.) and massage the blended oil to your swollen feet and ankles. Ginger oil penetrates the skin and enters blood flow. Its anti-inflammatory properties will induce blood circulation which will then relieve pain, swelling and other inflammation. Additionally, ginger oil has ingredients that dilute the sodium in the blood and sodium is also a cause of the swelling. Do this few times a day for best results.
3. Contrast Hydrotherapy
It is the use of hot and cold water to help decrease pain and increase circulation in area of injury and restricted blood flow. The warm water will help blood flow, and the cold water will bring down the swelling in your feet. For this, take two tubs for soaking your feet’s. Fill one tub with cold water and the other one with warm water. Soak your feet first in the warm water for about 3- 4 minutes. Then put your feet straight into the cold water for about 1 minute. Continue switching between the two for about 15- 20 minutes. Repeat this process few times a day until the swelling is down.
4. Exercise
Exercise helps in blood flow, thus moving down the swelling. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. Swimming is one of the best exercises which not only move down swelling, but also soothes the skin. Walking or jogging for 30 minutes, at least five days a week is also good. A 30-minute swimming each day can lessen swelling and relieve inflammation pain. The cool temperature of the water can give you additional relief, and your circulation will improve, removing the excess blood that’s pooled in your feet.
5. Ginger
Known to be a natural diuretic, this spice can actually help treat swollen feet by diluting sodium, a major contributing factor behind swelling. You can either massage your feet with ginger essential oil or drink two to three cups of ginger tea every day. Chewing on some raw slices of ginger can also work wonders.
6. Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency can contribute to inflammation of the feet or even cause edema, which causes you to retain fluid in your feet and legs. Eating foods high in magnesium can help. Some of magnesium-rich foods to add to your diet include: almonds, tofu, cashews, spinach, dark chocolate, broccoli, avocados, fish, soybeans and bananas. Magnesium supplements can be helpful for some people. But before you take any kind of supplement, ask your doctor.
7. Dandelion
Dandelion is renowned for its diuretic action. It reduces water content in the blood, which also helps to reduce blood pressure. Dandelion has anti-inflammatory properties which helps in removing swelling. It also helps keep track of the sodium level in the body. Add one teaspoon of dandelion in a cup of hot water. Cover it and soak for 5 minutes before straining it. Drink this tea 2- 3 times a day.
Swollen feet’s can be treated by using some other tips as well.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day.
- Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling.
- Buy compression socks that are between 12 to 15 mm or 15 to 20 mm of mercury. By wearing these compression socks, swelling can be reduced.
- Elevate your feet, preferably above your heart by using cushions or pillows for reducing swelling.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of canned foods, which have added salt for storage.
- Avoid sitting or standing in one position for a long time, try to move a little bit each hour.
Try these tips and let us know if you receive relief or not by visiting our comment section.