The feet, ankles, and legs are swelling because of gravity. There are other causes of a swollen ankle or leg. Injuries and inflammation can cause fluid retention and swelling.

The lower part of the leg can be larger than normal if the foot is swollen. It can be hard to walk because of the swelling. It may be It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….ful, with the skin on your leg stretching out.

This swelling is usually temporary and not cause any concern. You will still want to take measures to reduce swelling. You can reduce It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…. by doing this.

If your lower leg is swollen or you have other symptoms, it could be a sign of a health problem. Knowing the cause of your swelling can help rule out a more serious problem.

Continue reading to learn about possible causes of swollen feet, ankle, and leg, and what you can do to reduce swelling.

When is it an emergency?

If you have swelling with any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately.

  • There are some things that can cause chest It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…., pressure, or tightness.
  • breathing problems
  • dizziness
  • Mental confusion.
  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever…
  • leg ulcerations or blisters
  • “An abnormality or crookedness to the ankle that wasn’t there before.”
  • “You can’t put weight on your leg.”

“If at- home treatments don’t help reduce swelling or if you experience more It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…., seek medical care.”

One of the two things is the cause ofSwelling in the lower leg.

  • edema, a buildup of fluid
  • inflammation, your body’s response to injury or infection

Edema is a common condition where excess fluid is trapped in your body’s tissues. This causes swelling and puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin in your feet, ankles, and legs. It can also affect your hands and arms.

There are other symptoms of edema.

Some people may also experience pitting edema, in which the skin retains a dimple after you press on it for several seconds.

We will review health conditions that can cause edema, but some of the causes are just everyday activities.

  • Older age.
  • Being overweight or obese.
  • standing too long
  • On a long flight, sitting too long is a problem.
  • hot weather

Inflammation is your immune system’s response to injury, infection, or disease. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

Swelling from inflammation is usually accompanied by:

  • It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….
  • The skin is warm to the touch.
  • There is rednessor discoloration on the skin.
  • reduced function

“Let’s look at some causes of inflammation in your lower leg.”

There are factors that cause swollen ankles and legs when you are pregnant.

  • Retaining natural fluid is something that is natural.
  • The extra weight of your uterus causes pressure on veins.
  • Changing hormones.

You may be more prone to swollen feet in the evening if you have been on your feet all day.

Swollen feet and ankles may become particularly noticeable in the fifth month. The swelling tends to go away after you deliver your baby. Until then, try these tips to prevent or lessen the swelling.

Swelling prevention in pregnancy

  • Stand for a long time.
  • Sit with your feet up.
  • As cool as possible.
  • Spend time in the water.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and avoid high heels.
  • Wear compression socks, tights, or stockings.
  • Your doctor will approve your Regular exercise. routine.
  • Sleep on your left side.

“If you have swelling, don’t reduce your water intake. You need to drink at least 10 cups of fluids per day during your pregnant days.”

If the swelling is It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….ful, you should see your doctor to make sure that your blood pressure is normal. Your doctor will also want to check if you have a blood clot and rule out other possible conditions, such as preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia

Sudden or excessive swelling in your ankles, hands, and face could be a sign of preeclampsia. This is a serious condition where you develop high blood pressure. and protein in the urine. It usually happens after the 20th week of pregnancy.

People with the disease may have it.

Contact your doctor right away if you experience sudden swelling, especially if it’s accompanied by these other symptoms.

Preeclampsia warning signs

If you have symptoms of high blood pressure. or preeclampsia, seek immediate medical attention. These include:

Inflammation could be the cause ofSwelling in the foot, ankle, or leg. Blood rushing to the injured area causes swelling.

This type of inflammation can be caused by conditions.

The R.I.C.E. approach is used to treat leg and foot injuries. This method involves some things.

  • Rest. Rest the affected limb and avoid putting pressure on it.
  • Ice. Ice your foot for up to 20 minutes at a time throughout the day.
  • Compression. Use a compression bandage to stop swelling.
  • Elevation. Keep your feet lifted as you rest so that they’re above your heart, especially at night.

While resting the leg or foot is important, too much rest can lead to problems with circulation. Check with your doctor about the appropriate amount of activity for your leg.

Depending on the severity of your injury, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…. reliever. You may need to wear a brace or splint. Severe cases may require surgery.

You should see a doctor if your It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…. is severe or you’re unable to put any weight on or move your foot. Also seek medical care if you’re experiencing numbness.

An underlying chronic condition may be the cause of your swollen foot, ankle, or leg. It could be due to something you did after surgery.

There are some underlying conditions that may cause your foot, ankle, or leg to swell.

Blood clot

Blood clots are solid clumps of blood. They can form deep in the veins of your legs, a condition known as There is a deep vein thrombosis..

Blood clot can cause swollen legs, feet, or ankles. The swelling can occur on one side of the body.

Swelling may be accompanied by other symptoms.

A blood clot is a medical emergency. If you have these symptoms, seek care immediately.

Treatment options and preventive measures can be used.

  • taking blood thinners, if directed by a healthcare professional
  • avoiding long periods of sitting.
  • exercising.
  • Increasing fluid intake

Bursitis

Bursitis is when fluid-filled sacs around your joints (called bursae) become inflamed. This causes swelling and It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…. at the joint. It’s common in older adults and people who repetitively use specific joints, like athletes or people in certain jobs.

There is a bursa at any joint. It is most common at the knee and ankle.

In addition to It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…. and swelling, symptoms include:

  • joint It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….
  • erythema, skin that’s red, purple, or slightly darker depending on skin tone
  • Difficult walking

Pain relief medication and ice may be helpful in managing the condition. In more severe cases, the need for The drug is corticosteroids. may be required. You may need antibiotics if the bursa becomes sick.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that occurs beneath the skin, causing It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…., discoloration, and swelling. Cellulitis may be life-threatening if left untreated.

Cellulitis can have symptoms.

  • Depending on your skin tone, rednessor darkening of your skin is a thing.
  • a quickly growing rash
  • swollen skin
  • A feeling of warmth in the area.
  • pus-filled abscess

You may experience There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever… with cellulitis, but not always. The area is red and expanding. Often the edge of the rednesscan be felt under the skin, as though there is a piece of cardboard under the skin.

If you experience signs of cellulitis, you should get medical treatment.

Cellulitis can be treated with antibiotics. It should go away after a few days of treatment.

Chronic The veins are not functioning properly.

Chronic The veins are not functioning properly. is caused by damaged valves in the veins combined with standing or sitting for extended periods. This affects blood moving up to your heart from your legs and feet. Blood can collect in the veins of your legs and feet, causing swelling.

You may experience some symptoms.

If you have signs of insufficiency, you should see a doctor. It is easier to treat it early on.

Treatments include:

  • avoiding standing or sitting for long periods.
  • Taking breaks for leg, feet, and ankle exercises during sitting.
  • Taking breaks to elevate your feet.
  • The legs are elevated above the heart level.
  • walking and exercising.
  • Maintaining a moderate weight.
  • wearing compression stockings
  • using antibiotics to treat skin infections
  • Good skin hygiene is practiced.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects your ability to control sugar levels in your blood. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels which leads to poor blood circulation. This can cause blood to settle in your lower leg, causing swelling.

Prolonged circulation problems may eventually lead to nerve damage in your foot, which could also make it more susceptible to injury which can lead to swelling..

Your doctor may recommend ways to help with swelling caused by diabetes.

  • compression socks
  • The elevation of the foot.
  • Regular exercise.
  • weight loss
  • Staying hydrated.
  • limiting salt intake
  • magnesium supplements.
  • Feet are soaking in salts.

Nerve damage in your foot can also cause Charcot foot, an inflammatory condition that affects bones and tissue in the foot. In addition to swelling and numbness, Charcot foot is characterized by:

  • Change in foot shape.
  • There are blisters on the sores.
  • redness

If not treated, Charcot foot could require amputation.

Gout

A buildup of uric acid in your blood is called gout. As an acute condition, it can cause swelling in affected joints. This often affects the feet, particularly the big toe.

Flares last for 3 to 10 days. If left unaddressed, gout can become chronic, leaving small lump in your joints and tissue. Permanent damage to your joints can be caused by tophi.

gout has symptoms that include:

  • joint It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….
  • The skin is warm to the touch.
  • It is stiff.
  • Irregular joints.

There are There are medications. you can take to prevent gout flare-ups. You can also take The drugs. or The drug is corticosteroids. to relieve the It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…..

Home remedies such as apple cider vinegar and black cherry juice may help with symptoms. But consult a doctor if your symptoms are severe or come on suddenly.

Heart failure

In right-sided heart failure, the heart’s right ventricle is too weak to pump enough blood to the lungs. As blood builds up in the veins, fluid gets pushed out into the tissues in the body. This could be brought on by a heart attack, valve disorders, or lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Right-sided heart failure symptoms include swelling and a lack of breath. You may experience it as well.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should get immediate medical treatment.

Heart failure needs lifelong management. Treatment options include There are medications., surgery, and medical devices.

Infection

Swollen feet and ankles may be caused by infections and the accompanying inflammation. People with diabetic neuropathy or other nerve conditions of the feet are more prone to foot infections.

Infections can be caused by wounds such as blisters, burns, and insect bites. You may also experience:

  • It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….
  • redness
  • irritation

If you have a bug, you may need antibiotics.

Kidney disease

If you have kidney disease or your kidneys aren’t working properly, you may have too much salt in your blood. This causes your body to retain water, which can lead to swelling in your feet and ankles.

The following symptoms may also be present.

Treatment options include:

Ultimately, kidney failure may be treated with a kidney transplant or dialysis.

Liver disease

Liver disease can cause foot and ankle swelling due to the liver not functioning properly. This leads to excess fluid in your legs and feet, which causes swelling.

Liver disease can be caused by genetic factors. Viruses, alcohol, and obesity are also linked to liver damage.

Other symptoms include:

Treatment options include:

  • If you have a problem with weight loss.
  • abstaining from alcohol.
  • There are medications.
  • surgery

Lymphedema

Lymphedema occurs as a result of lymph nodes that are damaged or removed, often as part of cancer treatment. This causes your body to retain lymphatic fluid and can lead to swollen feet and ankles.

Other symptoms may include:

You can’t cure Swelling of the legs., but you can manage the condition by reducing It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…. and swelling. Severe Swelling of the legs. may require surgery.

Treatment options include:

  • Light exercises that encourage drainage.
  • The legs are elevated.
  • Short-stretch bandages are used to wrap your foot or leg.
  • The massage uses lymph drainage.
  • inflatable cuffs are placed around the legs.
  • compression garments
  • complete decongestive therapy (CDT), which combines multiple techniques such as exercise, bandaging, and massage

Popliteal cyst

Synovial fluid reduces friction in your joints so you can move them more easily. But a buildup of too much synovial fluid in your knee can cause a popliteal cyst (or Baker’s cyst) to form. It’s usually the result of injury or arthritis.

The cyst is behind the knee. Other symptoms may go along with it.

  • It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….
  • It is stiff.
  • limited motion
  • It can be bruised orrupturing.

You can relieve It is a It is a It is a It is a pain…. from the cyst with steroids like cortisone. Your doctor can even drain the cyst, but that doesn’t mean it won’t return. The most important thing to do is to identify and treat the underlying cause of the cyst.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. There is fluid around your joints that can cause permanent damage.

Along with swelling, you may experience other symptoms.

  • joint It is a It is a It is a It is a pain….
  • It is stiff. in your joints
  • fatigue
  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever…
  • Anemia.
  • There are nodules of rheumatism.

If you experience swelling due to RA, your doctor may recommend:

Surgery

Swelling is common after surgery. The early stages of healing usually involve inflammation, which can cause moderate to severe swelling. Mild to moderate swelling may persist for up to 6 months depending on the type of surgery you had.

Post-operative swelling can be reduced.

  • elevating your leg
  • An ice pack or cold compress is used.
  • Using compression stockings.

If you get too much swelling, talk to your doctor. This could be a sign of a blood clot.

Medications

Some There are medications. cause fluid to collect, especially in the lower part of your body. These include:

If you suspect that your There are medications. are causing swollen feet and ankles, it’s important to see a doctor. Together, you can determine whether there are other options in terms of There are medications. or dosages. They may prescribe a diuretic to help reduce excess fluid.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can lead to swollen feet and ankles since your body retains more water after drinking. Usually, it’ll go away within a few days. If the swelling doesn’t subside during this time, it could be cause for concern.

If swelling frequently occurs in your feet and ankles when you drink alcohol, it may be a sign of a problem with your liver, heart, or kidneys. This could also be a sign that you’re consuming too much alcohol.

These tips can be used to treat swollen feet and ankles.

  • Increase water intake.
  • Salt intake should be reduced.
  • Rest with your leg elevated.
  • Feet are soaked in water.

Hot weather

Swollen feet and ankles frequently occur during hot weather since your veins expand as part of your body’s natural cooling process.

Fluids, including blood, go into nearby tissues as part of this process. However, sometimes your veins aren’t able to bring blood back to the heart. This results in fluid collecting in the feet and ankles. People with circulatory problems are especially prone to this.

Home remedies to reduce swelling are available.

  • drink a lot of water.
  • Rest with legs elevated.
  • Feet are soaked in water.
  • Feet can breathe and move freely with shoes.
  • exercise legs with regular walks and simple leg exercises

You can treat a swollen foot at home. Home management will be dependent on the cause.

If you have swelling due to fluid build up, the following home tips may help.

If you have an injury, remember to consult with a doctor about how much activity you should get.

Medical condition management

If you have a medical condition that can lead to swelling, take your There are medications. and manage your symptoms carefully. If you have congestive heart failure or kidney disease, you may need to limit the amount of fluid you take in each day.

Exercise precautions

Warming up first can help prevent injuries during physical activity. This includes a walk or jog before engaging in vigorous physical activity.

Absorb supportive footwear. Proper shoes can help with injuries. You should choose shoes that match your activity. If you run or jog, you should get a professional fitted for the correct shoe.

Compression socks

Compression socks apply pressure to your leg. This can help prevent and alleviate swelling caused by certain conditions.

  • There is a deep vein thrombosis.
  • Swelling of the legs.
  • There are veins.
  • The veins are not functioning properly.

If you need compression socks for your swelling, make sure you check with your doctor to make sure they fit for you. Before you go to bed, remove them from your clothes.

Diet

A low-sodium diet discourages fluid retention. Fast food can have large amounts of sodium. Many frozen meals and canned soups contain excess sodium, so read the food labels carefully.

Leg elevation

If you stand a lot during the day, try wearing compression stockings at work and soaking your feet in water to help prevent swelling.

There are many reasons for a swollen foot. It is usually the result of fluid build up or an injury. Sometimes it can be a sign of a serious condition.

A doctor can run tests to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. If you don’t have a primary care doctor or need help finding a specialist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.