Many men and women have various health problems, against which edema often develops. In some cases, the cause of swelling may be a hereditary factor. Excess weight, as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system, can also provoke the appearance of edema in soft tissues.
To get rid of them, experts recommend using special creams and ointments that can very quickly eliminate any swelling and normalize blood circulation in these areas.
Cream-balm of the “Mama Comfort” brand is manufactured on the territory of the Russian Federation. Its manufacturer uses an innovative formula in its production, thanks to which this medicinal composition is able to stop the development of varicose veins in the early stages.
Cream-gel consists of the following components:
strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
normalizing blood circulation and other biologically active substances.
Its high quality has already been appreciated by many patients who have been suffering from venous and vascular diseases for many years. Due to its safety and high degree of hygiene, this cream gel can be used by both pregnant and lactating women and small children.
Cream-balm “Mama Comfort” is a hypoallergenic product. It copes well with both swelling and fatigue and heaviness in the legs. The cream can eliminate even severe pain, usually caused by prolonged walking in high heels or active physical activity.
In some cases, only drugs related to anticoagulants that have a direct effect can cope with edema. The most effective remedy, the action of which is aimed specifically at eliminating edema, is heparin ointment.
Heparin ointment is prescribed by doctors in various cases:
when swelling occurs;
for limb injuries;
in the presence of hemorrhoids (external);
for hematomas and inflammation of the lymph nodes, etc.
Heparin ointment contains various substances that have anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and anti-thrombic effects on problem areas of the body:
benzocaine (relieves pain);
sodium heparin (prevents the formation of blood clots, and if they are present, promotes resorption);
benzyl nicotinate (dilates blood vessels).
When swelling occurs, heparin ointment must be applied to the surface of the skin (in problem areas) in a thin layer. Carefully, using light rotational movements, rub the medicine into the skin. Depending on the size of the edema, the ointment is used 2 to 3 times a day, for 1-2 weeks. If the swelling has formed due to mechanical impact (from a fall or impact), the ointment should be started to be used only after a day, in order to avoid the development of internal bleeding.
Before starting treatment for edema, it is better to consult a doctor who will determine its origin and recommend a dosage. This must be done, since heparin ointment has a number of contraindications, which you need to familiarize yourself with before starting the treatment course. If a patient is treating edema with heparin ointment for a long time, he needs to regularly undergo a blood test for coagulation.
Patients may experience various side effects:
poor blood clotting, etc.
Pregnant and lactating women should use heparin ointment very carefully. During this period, patients should be under the supervision of their attending physician, who will discontinue this drug at the first alarming symptoms.
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To get rid of swelling, you can use creams prepared at home.
To make such a cream you will need to purchase various components:
oils (cocoa, tea tree, geranium, shea, sesame, amaranth, etc.);
extracts (horse chestnut, etc.);
potassium sorbate, etc.
All solid components must be melted in a water bath, but do not bring the mass to a boil (the maximum temperature should not exceed 75 degrees). All oils, emulsifiers and other ingredients should be added to the thick mixture. At the final stage, you need to combine the thick substance with water and mix them until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.
After preparing the cream, you need to wait some time for the mixture to cool completely and acquire a thick consistency. During hardening, the cream should be distributed into dry and sterile containers (preferably glass), sealed tightly and placed in a cool place.
A homemade cream containing geranium and tea tree oils is most effective in treating edema. The use of this product is recommended for people who spend most of the day on their feet. This cream will very quickly eliminate heaviness in the limbs and also relieve the feeling of fatigue.
You can use an anti-edema cream prepared at home for a month (until the swelling disappears completely). Apply the cream to problem areas no more than 2 times a day, making light circular movements. This mixture is well absorbed into the skin and does not leave greasy marks on clothes. Thanks to perfectly selected ingredients, the cream does not cause any irritation or other side effects.
Author of the article: Nina Vladimirovna Sokolova, naturopathic doctor, herbalist
Excess fluid most often accumulates in the extremities, and the legs are the first to suffer from its excess. But, using a modern ointment or cream for leg swelling, prepared at home, you can maintain the beauty and health of your legs.
Of course, in most cases, swelling of the feet occurs in women, because it is the fair sex who often wear high-heeled shoes, which compress the upper part of the leg and interfere with the natural position of the toes.
Other causes of swelling are:
If you notice that swelling intensifies in the evening, then, most likely, its occurrence was provoked by varicose veins.
Treatment of leg swelling
Since leg swelling can be a symptom of medical conditions, the first thing to do if you experience regular swelling is to consult a doctor. And you can relieve discomfort and alleviate your condition with the help of an anti-swelling cream containing heparin or rutin, for example:
Anti-edema creams made from horse chestnut also help well.
You can make a cream to relieve swelling of the feet at home. To do this, 1 part of heated turpentine must be diluted with 2 parts of castor oil. Rub the prepared mixture on your feet and put on socks on top.
An ointment made from 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp is effective against swelling. turpentine and 1 tbsp. l. apple cider vinegar. She rubs her feet vigorously before going to bed.
Everyone knows that during pregnancy, limbs often swell. Only a doctor can tell the expectant mother what the best anti-edema cream is. In addition, if the cause of the accumulation of excess fluid is eliminated, the swelling will subside on its own within a few days.
When you simply drank a large amount of liquid before going to bed, and in the morning your legs are swollen, you can make an anti-edema cream for pregnant women yourself. You will need to grind the nettle roots, pour them with sunflower oil, bring to a boil and rub the resulting product on your feet until completely absorbed into the skin.
Swelling and pain in the lower extremities are common disorders affecting many people. They can be short-term, associated with injury, bruise or cut. They can result from disturbances in the functioning of individual organs in the body. Turn out to be not a cause, but a consequence. Often, pills prescribed by a doctor to treat a disease cause swelling.
Along with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, it is worth using additional methods to combat the health and beauty of your feet:
Widespread creams and ointments for swelling of the legs:
Most women have experienced leg swelling during pregnancy. The number of reasons is impressive:
For pain and swelling in the leg area, you can use cream. The pharmacy now offers many types. The formulations are specially designed for use during pregnancy. It is often recommended to use Troxevasin or Lyoton. Before buying and smearing, it is better to consult a doctor.
If a pregnant woman experiences pain in the legs, severe and persistent swelling, the doctor will prescribe pills to help combat unpleasant symptoms.
To prevent your feet from bothering you, it is recommended to take care of them, use a special caring cream or gel, and play sports. This will improve blood flow and metabolic processes in the body, allowing you to lose extra pounds, which cause pain in the joints and cause swelling in the legs. Coffee is replaced with herbal infusions and fruit drinks. You need to do massages and baths, use a scrub and a massage washcloth, and monitor your diet. If in doubt, be sure to visit a doctor!
Swelling that occurs during pregnancy may persist after childbirth. You can check for their presence by pressing on the skin. If a hole remains after pressure, then there is excess fluid in the tissues, which is called edema.
For pregnant women, edema is to some extent the norm, since hormonal background predisposes to this phenomenon. However, the load on the veins of the legs also occurs due to additional weight in the later stages.
If a woman’s blood vessels are healthy, then after childbirth the swelling of the legs should go away. But there are cases when they not only do not disappear, but also become larger. This can be explained by poor functioning of the valves of the internal and external veins of the lower extremities.
There is also such a complex condition as deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, which consists of clogging a vessel with a blood clot and disrupting the outflow of blood. The susceptibility of pregnant and postpartum women to this disease is explained by blood stagnation and hypercoagulation (blood thickening) as a result of the body’s preparation for the upcoming loss of blood during childbirth. But not only these two factors are needed for the development of thrombosis. Damage to the inner wall of the vessel is necessary, where the blood clot is actually attached. This can be triggered during pregnancy by a cold, vaginal examination, or an autoimmune disorder. The risk of developing thrombosis during childbirth increases many times over, especially in the case of a cesarean section.
Physiological swelling of the legs after childbirth should go away on its own within a few days; it does not require treatment.
You can help yourself by doing the following exercises to improve blood circulation:
Home remedies for swelling include:
If even after following all these recommendations, swelling of the legs does not decrease or increases, then you should consult a doctor.
One should be wary of swelling of the legs that does not go away for a long time after childbirth, which is accompanied by pain and heaviness in the legs. Also dangerous is asymmetrical swelling (of one leg) with symptoms of swelling, burning and redness.
It is not recommended to take any medications on your own; they can have a negative effect on the body of a nursing mother and enter the baby’s blood with her milk.
In turn, the phlebologist may prescribe a duplex angioscanning of the veins (superficial and deep) of the lower extremities to determine the condition of the vessels. This procedure is necessary for women with swelling after childbirth, especially those who are predisposed to this phenomenon.
A vein examination after childbirth should be carried out if there are the following additional factors:
Drug treatment will depend on the cause of the swelling. Usually, ointments based on heparin, rutin (Essaven, Lyoton) or products based on herbal components are prescribed to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and eliminate microthrombi.
You can prevent the development of swelling if you follow some recommendations during pregnancy:
Remember that the main thing when swelling occurs during the postpartum period is to consult a doctor in time. Health to you, dear mothers!
Leg swelling in the foot area is a symptom that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissue area of the foot. Clinically manifested by an increase in the size of the foot and its swelling. This condition may be accompanied by unpleasant sensations, both in the lower extremities and in overall health. The feet swell both periodically due to exposure to external irritants, and chronically as a result of pathologies of internal organs.
Swelling of the feet in a healthy state occurs rarely and is episodic in nature, so it goes away quickly. Most often it is provoked by excessive load on the lower extremities, for example, due to the characteristics of professional activity. Also, swelling of the feet occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle.
The answer to the question of why feet swell may lie in traumatic injuries. The foot swells to a greater extent during fractures and dislocations; as the bone heals and the ligaments return to their normal position, the swelling of the feet goes away. Foot swelling can also be caused by an ordinary bruise. In case of trauma, radiography is required to determine the cause of swelling.
Foot swelling can also occur as a result of poor diet and fluid intake. People who eat a lot of salty foods are susceptible to edema. They drink excessive amounts of fluid, more than the body needs. Water is not excreted along with urine and sweat and accumulates in the tissues, and therefore the leg swells.
During pregnancy, your feet can become swollen for several reasons. The outflow of blood may be impaired due to an increase in the size of the uterus, and swelling can also be caused by the consumption of salty foods while bearing a child. Edema is acute in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy; it is often accompanied by headaches, surges in blood pressure, and convulsions. To correct the symptom, hospital treatment under medical supervision is required.
If your feet are swollen, this may be a side effect of taking certain medications. Among them are:
Swelling of the left leg and right leg is also caused by pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Typically, such swelling appears in the evening, the shade of the legs changes, and the swelling covers the feet themselves and can rise higher. In the morning the swelling goes away. As accompanying symptoms, it is worth noting shortness of breath, pressure surges, and pain in the chest.
If the leg is swollen, this in some cases indicates the development of varicose veins. Timely detection of this pathology contributes to greater effectiveness of treatment. Varicose veins are accompanied by feelings of fatigue and heaviness in the legs, dilation of the veins of the lower extremities, and a change in the shade of the skin of the legs to a darker one.
Swelling of the feet also indicates liver dysfunction, for example, with cirrhosis. This condition is also characterized by symptoms of jaundice, itching, and weight loss.
Another reason for swelling of the legs is pathological processes localized in the thyroid gland. Edema is characteristic of hypofunctional conditions of this organ. Also, with hypofunction of the thyroid gland, symptoms such as weight gain, changes in facial features, drowsiness, and constipation are observed.
There are several other reasons why the left or right leg swells. These include:
If the right or left leg swells, the manifestations are noticeable to the naked eye - the foot swells and increases in size. The shade of the skin changes - the skin acquires a bluish color. Swelling is combined with feelings of heaviness and discomfort, sometimes pain is possible. In some cases, the swelling rises higher and causes pain while walking.
The causes and treatment of foot swelling are closely interrelated. To eliminate a pathological symptom, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis, that is, to find out the true cause of the swelling.
If the water balance is disturbed, it is important to exclude excess salt from the diet. You should not exceed the volume of water consumed - it should be no more than two liters per day. Thanks to this, the kidneys are not overloaded, and excess fluid is easily eliminated from the body.
For high loads on the foot area, the following recommendations should be followed:
If the right and left feet swell due to cardiovascular pathologies, you should contact a cardiologist. He prescribes diuretics, antihypertensive drugs as needed, prescribes diet and physical therapy exercises, recommends wearing compression stockings or using elastic bandages. The patient's condition requires constant medical supervision.
Swelling of the left and right feet due to varicose veins and thrombophlebitis must be treated following the doctor's instructions. The specialist determines the severity of the pathology, monitors the dynamics of the disease and selects the right means of therapeutic correction in accordance with the results of tests and instrumental studies (ultrasound, venography).
You need to understand that swelling is not an independent pathology, but a clinical manifestation of a disease. Only a specialist can carry out a correct diagnosis, identify the disease and prescribe treatment.
Of course, pharmacies offer a wide range of decongestant medications. But you should not choose a medicine yourself - the wrong choice can lead to a worsening of the condition.
If the causes of edema are not pathological, for example, fatigue or overexertion of the feet, then gels to relieve edema (Lyoton-gel) should be used as medications. But still, you should not neglect to see a doctor, so as not to lose sight of the provoking pathologies. Timely diagnosis is the key to a highly effective course of therapeutic correction.
In order to avoid the appearance of edema, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
Following simple recommendations will prevent swelling of the feet and also strengthen the body. Paying attention to your health helps reduce your susceptibility to various pathological conditions. If edema appears, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine its cause and prescribe effective methods of therapy.
One of the manifestations of varicose veins is the appearance of swelling on the ankles in the evening. You can get rid of this unpleasant symptom and cure varicose veins only by taking comprehensive measures: taking medications, performing therapeutic exercises, and using alternative medicine methods. Treatment of leg swelling with folk remedies involves taking medicinal infusions internally, applying compresses externally, and performing simple exercises to activate blood circulation in the legs.
You can relieve swelling in the lower extremities at home by regularly taking decoctions and infusions to thin the blood, strengthen the venous walls, and improve metabolic processes. But before starting to take any medicine for swelling of the legs at home, you must consult a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis, prescribe treatment and determine the advisability of additional therapy with folk remedies.
Thus, any remedy for edema, even a harmless one at first glance, can cause a dangerous allergic reaction, complicating the detection and treatment of varicose veins. In addition, the action of some herbs does not combine well with the main substance of the drug. Therefore, inform your doctor about all conservative and traditional medicine you are taking.
When asked about how to treat swelling in the legs due to varicose veins, traditional healers offer many recipes for remedies that have a diuretic effect. One of the healthy foods for the body is pumpkin, which helps relieve swelling in the ankle with regular consumption of purees, juices, cereals and desserts based on it. Cucumbers, apricots, strawberries, and mint tea have the same effect.
The following homemade remedies will help strengthen blood vessels and get rid of rosacea and relieve swelling:
The main rule for preparing decoctions and infusions for the treatment of leg swelling at home is the use of high-quality raw materials, clean water and non-metallic utensils.
Healers also know how to remove swelling and relieve heaviness in the legs at home using external folk remedies. To do this, it is necessary to use medicinal material in liquid and creamy form to influence diseased veins through the pores of the skin. The main requirement of such treatment is long-term application of the product to the swollen area of the leg.
Ointments prepared with badger or goose fat, butter, and thick honey will help relieve swelling of the legs at home. These components must be slowly melted, medicinal infusions added and the product allowed to thicken again. The following plants can be used as ingredients for infusions against edema:
Thanks to the viscous base, the product adheres firmly to the skin of the lower extremities, and the absence of synthetic thickeners and preservatives allows it to be used against swelling of the legs in elderly people and pregnant women.
Many people are interested in how to get rid of swelling and relieve pain in the legs using compresses made at home. Such folk treatment does not require significant financial costs and at the same time brings good results. The most effective are the following traditional medicine recipes:
These remedies help relieve swelling in varicose veins, as well as reduce swelling of the leg after a fracture or other injury.
The causes of swelling in the legs are often stagnant processes in the veins and tissues surrounding the blood vessels. Therefore, they begin to be removed and disappear as a person’s physical activity increases. Hiking, swimming, various Pilates and yoga techniques are especially effective for swelling. In this case, it is necessary that shoes and clothes are comfortable and do not hinder movement.
The following simple exercises will help relieve swelling in your legs at home:
It is necessary to remove swelling in this way throughout the entire treatment of varicose veins.
Another effective way to relieve swelling is to take a contrast shower. Alternating exposure of the skin to jets of hot and cold water causes the blood vessels to expand and contract as quickly as possible. Thanks to this peculiar charging, their walls become strong and elastic. At the same time, all metabolic processes in the tissues are activated, and the skin becomes healthy and elastic.
Another method that relieves swelling is taking foot baths before bed. Remember that hot water procedures are prohibited for varicose veins. Therefore, the temperature of the water in the basin should not exceed 40° C. To treat edema, baths are made based on sea salt, soda, laundry soap foam, and decoctions of medicinal plants. After taking them, you need to cover yourself with a blanket and go to bed.
When asked how to quickly relieve swelling, phlebologists answer that such a method of treatment does not exist. To restore health and beautiful appearance to your legs, you need to cure the disease, the symptom of which is swelling of the limbs. To do this, you need to take medicine, give up bad habits, adjust your diet, lead a healthy lifestyle and make the use of traditional medicine a part of your life. Only combined conservative and alternative treatment can lead to complete recovery of the vascular system.
Artyukhina Elena Gennadievna
Vascular surgeon of the highest category, phlebologist, angiologist, ultrasound specialist for diseases of the arteries and veins.
Candidate of Medical Sciences
Popovtsev Maxim Alexandrovich
Surgeon, phlebologist, oncologist, specialist in ultrasound diagnostics and laser treatment of vein diseases
Researcher, Department of Surgery, MPF, First Moscow State Medical University
Sychev Andrey Vladimirovich
Surgeon, phlebologist, oncologist, ultrasound diagnostic specialist
Doctor of the highest qualification category, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Surgery of the Central State Medical Academy of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, member of the Russian Society of Surgeons, Russian Association of Phlebologists
Leg swelling is not just a cosmetic problem, but also a symptom of many serious diseases. The cause of swelling of the legs is excess fluid in the intercellular spaces, the occurrence of which can be contributed by a large number of factors - from the patient’s excessive consumption of fluid to varicose veins.
Therefore, when swelling in the legs appears, it is important to find the cause of the disease with the help of a qualified medical examination.
Legs can swell for a variety of reasons: fatigue due to long walking, the habit of sitting cross-legged, heat, etc. However, the main reason is muscle insufficiency of the vein walls. Under the influence of various factors (heredity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity), the vein begins to do its job poorly: the blood stagnates, the walls of the veins stretch, and lose elasticity. Swelling of the legs in this case is a sign of venous insufficiency. If swelling of the legs is left unattended, there is always a risk of developing serious venous diseases - varicose veins, thrombophlebitis.
These diseases lead to outflow and stagnation of blood, which, in turn, causes excess fluid in the tissues and an increase in their volume. In such cases, swelling of the legs is usually accompanied by trophic (capillary) disorders that appear on the skin of the legs. In acute thrombophlebitis, the appearance of swelling of the legs indicates an advanced stage of the disease and usually occurs against a background of elevated temperature, redness of the skin and pain in the veins.
If the swelling is primarily in the ankles, this may indicate heart failure. Elderly people with swelling in their legs should be seen by a cardiologist to avoid serious heart problems.
Swelling of the legs can be preceded by injuries, poisoning, allergies, and it can also be a reaction to taking anti-inflammatory or hormonal medications.
Also, swelling of the legs can be caused by flat feet, metabolic disorders, lymph stagnation and kidney problems.
Swelling of the legs often occurs in pregnant women. Moreover, in addition to changes in metabolism and fetal pressure on the abdominal veins, which impedes blood supply to the lower extremities, the cause of swelling of the legs in pregnant women may be the development of toxicosis, which threatens the health of the mother and child.
A type of leg swelling that is frightening in appearance is “elephant disease.” The affected limb swells, its shape and proportions change, gradually acquiring the appearance of an elephant limb (hence the name), and the patient’s weight rapidly increases. The cause of the disease is disturbances in lymph flow in the skin tissue and subcutaneous layer. “Elephantiasis” is one of the symptoms of such a serious disease that requires complex treatment as lymphostasis. Numerous factors can serve as a trigger for the development of “sleep disease,” including streptococcal infection, helminthic infestation, and previous sexually transmitted diseases.
What to do if your legs swell? Do not self-medicate under any circumstances!
Often those who experience leg swelling try to solve the problem on their own. Today, many medications, ointments, gels are available, and the Internet is full of recipes for traditional medicine and instructions for physiotherapeutic exercises to combat swelling of the legs.
However, this approach is dangerous for your health and even your life!
Swelling of the legs is often a warning of serious illnesses. Delay in seeking professional medical help can lead to irreversible consequences for your body, as well as death.
In the phlebology department of the MedicCity clinic, experienced phlebologists, who have modern minimally invasive techniques and the latest world-class medical equipment at their disposal, will quickly find out the cause of the disease and provide the necessary treatment.
You can also use the forms below to ask our specialist a question, make an appointment at the clinic, or request a call back. Ask a question or indicate a problem with which you would like to contact us, and we will contact you as soon as possible to clarify the information.