Avoid tight leggings, jeans, pants, or garters. While tight stockings can help reduce swelling, it’s important to use compression stockings that are designed for this purpose and that fit you correctly.
Elevating your legs helps relieve pressure and reduce water retention in your legs. This can be especially helpful if you’ve been sitting or standing in the same position for extended periods of time. If you can, try putting several blocks (like exercise blocks) under your mattress so that you can keep your legs elevated as you sleep.
Combine massage with elevation to help pull the built-up fluids and blood from your legs. Lie down with your legs straight up against a wall or the head of your bed, and massage one leg at a time in this position. If you have the means, you can also seek help from a massage therapist. A standard Swedish massage will generally do the trick. If you have more severe swelling, though, you may want to look for a therapist who practices specialized treatment for swelling.
You can also add Epsom salts to a full bathtub and sit in it with your calves and thighs fully submerged if you have more extensive swelling. If your pain is severe enough that it impedes your everyday function or if it’s rapidly getting worse, seek medical help immediately.
Ideally, you should get at least 15 minutes off your feet every 2-3 hours. Doing so can help provide immediate relief to swelling caused by extended periods of standing still. If you cannot get the breaks you require, see if other accommodations can be made. If, for example, you work as a cashier, ask your manager about getting a stool behind the register.
Flexing and extending your ankles for 10-15 reps every hour Flexing your calf muscles Rotating each ankle 10-15 times every hour Keeping your shoes off as much as possible
This includes limiting the amount of time you spend in hot tubs, saunas, and very hot baths.
Kidney, liver, or heart disease Lymphedema (blockage in the lymph system) Blood clots Varicose veins Injury to the leg Obesity Blood pressure medications Hormone medications Pregnancy Extended periods spent sitting down or standing Poor diet (especially excess salt)
You don’t need to wear your stockings all the time, but they should be worn when you’re at school or work, when you’re out running errands, or otherwise for a few hours every day. Get help from a medical professional when sizing your socks and choosing the right material for your lifestyle. Socks that are too tight can cause sores.
High sodium food includes most frozen and prepared foods, canned goods, packaged sauces and soups, salad dressings, and pickled foods. While sea salt is considered a healthier alternative to table salt in some areas, both sea salt and table salt have roughly the same amount of sodium by weight. If you do choose to use sea salt, it still needs to be in moderation. In addition, it’s generally advised that people with leg swelling avoid frequent caffeinated beverages and alcohol.
Swimming is a highly recommended activity for those with moderate to severe leg pain. Since it’s a non-weight-bearing activity, it allows you to exercise without increasing pain or stress on the leg.
Always talk to your health care practitioner before you start any new supplements or make any major dietary changes.
You can also get vitamin B12 from a variety of foods, including seafood (such as clams, salmon, tuna, and trout), liver, meat (such as beef and chicken), eggs, diary products (like yogurt or milk), and fortified cereals. [14] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
One major concern is deep vein thrombosis, which usually results in swelling in the calf area. Unlike the fluid swelling caused by edema, swelling caused by deep vein thrombosis usually results in the leg getting hard, red, hot, and rapidly increasing in size.
Look out for related emergency symptoms, like coughing up blood, feeling dizzy or faint, or having trouble breathing when you’re lying flat on your back.
Additional signs of deep vein thrombosis include shortness of breath, a rapid pulse, chest pains, and shallow breathing if the thrombosis turns into a pulmonary embolism. Your leg or foot may also look red or feel warm to the touch. [19] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Depending on the severity of your sores, your doctor may recommend monitoring, antibiotics, or outpatient surgical care.
Types of medications that may contribute to swelling include antidepressants, blood pressure medications, hormones, and steroids.
