If your legs (or one leg) are swollen and red, we recommend consulting a doctor. Especially if swelling occurs regularly. According to experts, swelling is not the norm. Even if you stand on your feet all day and are tired, the presence of recurring swelling still indicates certain problems.
Do not self-medicate, especially if you notice redness and pain on your leg. This condition may be the result of an injury that you did not pay attention to at first. Or it may indicate the presence of a serious illness (including thrombophlebitis), for which it is necessary to receive professional medical help as quickly as possible.
There may be several reasons for swelling and redness of the leg.
Some joint diseases are accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin in the area of the affected joint. If it is a chronic disease, then patients know about it and pay attention. But there are also injuries that manifest themselves with these symptoms.
Joint injuries are always accompanied by pain. If it is not strong, if the joint is not swollen and its contours are not changed, you can bandage your leg with an elastic bandage and consult a doctor. If the pain is severe and does not go away with rest, if the joint is deformed, the leg is very red and swollen, this indicates that you should seek medical help immediately.
Many allergic reactions, such as those caused by insect bites, involve redness and swelling of the skin. In case of allergies, the patient usually complains of redness and itching on the legs. With the onset of the warm season, you need to especially carefully monitor your condition: insects may be hiding in the grass. In case of a severe reaction, unpleasant symptoms can be relieved by taking an antihistamine. If you leave allergies unattended, getting rid of unpleasant symptoms will take a very long time.
With diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular with heart failure, swelling also occurs, which in some cases may be accompanied by redness of the legs. In this case, swelling increases if it is hot outside, if a person spends a lot of time on his feet. But at rest the swelling subsides. The leg in the area of swelling is soft to the touch.
Interestingly, cardiac edema can go away on its own if the heart function improves at some point or the patient reduces the level of activity. However, their appearance indicates that you need to contact a cardiologist.
Varicose veins are one of the most common causes of edema. Due to the weakening of the tone of the venous walls, the blood in the vessels stagnates, and the fluid pressure in the vessels increases. The body tries to regulate this situation on its own, and as a result, some of the fluid leaks into the tissue surrounding the vessel.
Varicose swelling usually worsens in the evening. To relieve the condition, you need to lie down and elevate your legs. You can also wear compression stockings (if you have one) or do some exercises to get your blood flowing. It is also useful to make contrast baths.
But if you notice a combination of redness of the skin on your legs and swelling, we recommend that you consult a doctor. This may be a manifestation of thrombophlebitis - a dangerous condition when the lumen of a vein is closed by a thrombus, a blood clot. As a result, blood flow through such a vessel stops.
Thrombophlebitis requires mandatory treatment from a specialist. If blood clots form in the lumens of the vein, it means that a floating thrombus may form in one of the vessels. It is able to move through the bloodstream, and can ultimately clog the pulmonary vessels.
So, if your legs are very red and swollen, or if the redness on your leg is accompanied by pain, rush to the doctor. After all, this may be the result of a minor injury, or it may indicate a somatic disease or the formation of blood clots. Only a specialist will determine the true cause of your condition and help normalize the situation. Treat yourself and your health carefully and feel light and comfortable!
Human legs not only bear the weight of the body, but also take the brunt of an unhealthy lifestyle. Poor nutrition, excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, high heels and excessive loads - all of the above affects the health of the feet. Diseases of the lower extremities become a symptom of other serious diseases. Pain, swelling and redness of the leg should not be attributed to fatigue, age or allergies. Be attentive to your health and consult a doctor at the first signs of illness.
Every step you take puts a little more than half your body weight on your feet. With more active movements - running, walking fast, dancing or climbing stairs, the load doubles, sometimes quadruples. Afterwards the load goes on the joints, blood vessels, muscles and ligaments. Overweight people expose their legs to enormous pressure; fat people need to be attentive to emerging symptoms and not delay treatment; it is strongly recommended to take preventive measures.
Bad habits have a detrimental effect on the health of the feet, including food habits. If the diet contains an excess of sweet, highly salty and fatty foods, such a menu can lead to vascular diseases, the legs are the first to suffer. A lot has been said about the dangers of smoking; a bad habit is not an aid to maintaining health. A sedentary lifestyle, neglect of walks in the fresh air and stress affect the health of your feet, and switch from high heels to low ones.
To prevent varicose veins, if you work standing, wear compression stockings and do lymphatic drainage massage of your legs. Do not overuse tanning beds or sun exposure. Try to sit straight without crossing your legs - this position impedes blood circulation and causes disease of the veins and blood vessels. It is important to prevent varicose veins, as the disease can provoke other serious leg diseases.
Swelling is an indispensable symptom. Legs swell in healthy people too. Sometimes an isolated incident occurs: after standing for a long time or under acclimatization conditions, due to unfamiliar food, water and climate. Occasional swelling quickly disappears and does not appear again. But more often, swollen legs that experience pain become a symptom of an existing disease.
Causes of swelling of the feet and legs:
It is possible to cope with swelling of the feet at home by following a number of rules. Firstly, you need to reconsider your lifestyle. This includes following a salt-free diet and drinking a moderate amount of water, but sufficient for your weight and age. Perform therapeutic exercises, trying to restore the flow of lymph in the body. Watch the landing. If your work requires prolonged sitting, try to get up and stretch your legs every hour, perform several simple exercises: stand on your toes, squat and make circular movements with your legs. Remember, high heels can cause swelling, change the stiletto heels to low heels.
Secondly, it is possible to make contrast baths in warm and cool water, with the addition of sea salt. A kind of charging is performed for the vessels, the walls become elastic. Do not take hot baths; steam rooms will not help in the fight against swollen legs, they will only harm the blood vessels.
Perform your own massage. From your fingertips, gently massage your legs towards your thighs. Do not touch the location of the lymph nodes - under the knee, in the groin.
Swelling of the legs with redness is not uncommon. More often, this is associated with an advanced stage of edema, when the patient does not take therapeutic measures. Asymmetrical edema is possible. For example, the left leg becomes more swollen than the right. Redness becomes eczema, dermatitis, allergic reaction or trophic ulcers. Redness can manifest itself in the appearance of red spots on the skin that itch and peel.
Causes of redness of legs:
It is better to treat redness of the legs under the supervision of a doctor, after a complete diagnosis of the body. If red spots appear, consult a general practitioner, dermatologist, allergist and vascular surgeon. If you are sure of an allergic reaction, take an antihistamine, the red spots will go away.
Itching and redness of the skin of the legs below the knees causes a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. In addition to redness, the skin begins to flake and itch severely. Sometimes patients scratch the itchy spots into the blood, aggravating the situation and risking infection. There is a signal that a malfunction is occurring in the body. It is necessary to diagnose in time and find out the cause of itching and red dots.
Causes of itchy feet:
Any manifestations of itchy skin and red spots are treated under medical supervision. If dermatitis has developed, special medications, ointments and diet are prescribed. It is recommended to improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines. You will need to exclude allergenic foods, fatty, spicy, highly salty and sweet foods. Eat more vegetables, fruits and dairy products.
The fungus is treated with special antifungal drugs and ointments. And if there is a fungus, they will prescribe a diet. Do not eat sweets and starchy foods; sweet fruits are temporarily prohibited. Eliminate alcohol, a fermentation product. Drink more clean water and herbal teas, they will cleanse your body of toxins.
Allergies to household irritants are treated with antihistamines. Afterwards, you may have to exclude the allergy item. Don’t rush to get rid of your beloved cat; modern medicine knows ways to alleviate the suffering of allergy sufferers.
The basis for foot health problems is lifestyle. Swelling, pain, redness and peeling of the skin are treatable and completely preventable. No need to wait for scary symptoms to appear, start changing your life today! Stress and depression lead to leg diseases. If a person does not feel able or confident in getting rid of it on his own, contact a professional. When the nervous system returns to normal, your health will improve.
Watch your weight. Find out the reason for the rapid gain of kilograms, start treatment and nutrition correction. Do not eat a lot of fatty, salty and sweet foods; make sure that your diet includes foods containing iodine, magnesium, potassium, vitamins C and B vitamins.
Do sports or light gymnastics, walk, changing a measured step to a fast pace, do not forget to massage your feet, kneading the points on the pads, and take foot baths. Love your own feet, and they will not cause trouble for many, many years.
The condition of your feet is influenced by many factors, including lifestyle. Let's take a closer look at what causes redness and swelling of the legs, what these symptoms signal and what ways you can get rid of them.
Swelling and redness appear in case of poor nutrition, consumption of sweet, salty and spicy foods. The habit of smoking, alcohol abuse, and excess weight negatively affect the condition of the lower extremities. Weak physical activity, stress and uncomfortable shoes also contribute to the appearance of swelling. The legs become very swollen and red when overexerted.
Regular manifestations of these symptoms may indicate the presence of a disease or an unhealthy lifestyle. There are several causes of swelling and redness of the legs:
Swelling is accompanied by redness only in an advanced state. Therefore, if these symptoms appear, you should not delay going to the doctor.
The appearance of redness also has its reasons:
The appearance of red spots, swelling, peeling and itching on the legs indicates the development of a disease, often infectious. Psychological problems also cause the appearance of such symptoms.
Regardless of the disease that caused swelling of the legs and red spots, it is important to immediately consult a doctor to protect yourself from more serious consequences.
Such symptoms are not considered an independent disease, but only a consequence of other health problems. Treatment depends on the cause of the pathology:
At home, swelling of the legs is relieved using traditional medicine. Juices from carrots, lemon, cucumber or mint infusion are recommended for swelling . Treatment of problem areas with olive or camphor oil is effective.
Redness and swelling of the legs are unpleasant symptoms that indicate problems in the body. Home treatment should be started only after consultation with the doctor and the cause of the pathology has been determined.
Edema is a dangerous type of allergic reaction that requires an adequate medical response. Allergic edema can appear on almost any part of the body, but its most “favorite” places are, undoubtedly, the face, throat, eyes and limbs - upper and lower, such as swelling of the hands, for example.
The appearance of edema, regardless of location, always indicates the presence of a dangerous allergic condition, which, if ignored, can lead to serious consequences. Of particular danger is swelling of the throat and nasopharynx, which often provokes breathing problems and even suffocation.
Edema is a condition accompanied by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues and the cessation of the normal functioning of the organs affected by it. Allergic edema is, in fact, a symptom of an extensive or diffuse disorder in the mucous or subcutaneous fatty tissues.
All edema is divided into two conditional groups - allergic and non-allergic. And if the latter can be caused by excessive physical activity, pregnancy or any diseases, then all the causes of allergic edema come down to one factor - the influence of the allergen. Of course, the latter can be a variety of substances that have an effect on the human body.
But still, the most inveterate provocateurs of allergic edema are food products or medications - that is, those allergens that manage to directly penetrate inside the body.
The danger of edema cannot be underestimated - its appearance, in itself, is already a significant reason for alarm and immediate call to the doctor. The most dangerous are swelling that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nasopharynx - they can cause difficulty breathing and suffocation. It is important to remember that if allergic edema appears, its causes are no longer so important; doctors will figure them out later, but your first action should be to call for medical help.
The definition of allergic edema implies that the main symptom of this pathology is obvious swelling of one or more parts of the body. This symptom, most often affecting the face, feet, and dorsums of the hands, is usually not accompanied by any pain. However, not only swelling accompanies allergic edema - symptoms of the disease can manifest themselves in various parts of the body.
Firstly, the skin at the site of swelling acquires a characteristic pallor. The swelling is very dense to the touch, and pressing on it with your fingers leaves virtually no traces. Along with swelling localized in one place, redness, itching and a small rash may appear in others.
In almost a quarter of cases, swelling of the skin is accompanied by life-threatening swelling of the larynx, trachea or nasopharynx. Symptoms of allergic edema of this kind are as follows (in order of manifestation):
The symptoms of allergic edema are largely influenced by the individual's tendency to allergic reactions. At the slightest worsening of symptoms, you should immediately call for medical help.
Edema is classified according to location:
Diagnosis of allergic edema is carried out by the attending physician, who, based on blood tests and reactions to allergens. Therefore, to carry out a competent diagnosis, the patient should, at the first symptoms of allergic edema, contact a specialist who, after examining the nature of the condition, will prescribe appropriate treatment.
Treatment of allergic edema begins with eliminating contact with the allergen. In any case, its impact should be kept to the minimum possible. Preventing contact with the substance that provoked allergic edema is an effective component of the prevention of edema and allergic diseases in general.
The treatment process for allergic edema, regardless of the severity and type of edema, includes:
Our legs have difficult functions: they bear the entire weight of the human body, and their lifestyle also affects them. Due to such stress, the legs may swell and turn red.
The appearance of the disease is influenced by many factors:
It has been recorded that with an active lifestyle (fast walking, climbing stairs, running, fitness), the load on the limbs doubles, and sometimes even five times. All this affects the activity of joints and muscles. It is the load that causes redness in the legs.
If redness and swelling periodically appear on the legs, this is a clear symptom of the disease. Do not attribute the malaise to fatigue due to difficult everyday life, allergic reactions or age-related changes in the body. When the first symptoms appear, if there are obvious changes in the legs, you should consult a doctor and decide on treatment or preventive measures. If there is a signal, it means the body requires help.
Swelling and redness are symptoms indicating a malfunction in the body. Disorders may have a single manifestation, for example, due to prolonged stress on the legs, climate change, or when eating “new” foods. In such cases, unpleasant symptoms go away quickly; just rest a little. But there are often cases when swollen legs cause pain. This is a clear symptom of a disease that has many causes. Here are some of them:
Often swelling of the legs is accompanied by redness. Doctors diagnose symptoms of the disease as advanced stage of edema. Ignoring medications is the reason for the progression of the disease.
The causes of redness can be different. To identify them, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe preventive measures or determine a treatment algorithm.
The appearance of redness can be caused by:
To get rid of swelling and redness on the legs, you need to:
Treatment for swelling and redness in the legs should be started only after the diagnosis has been clarified. A general practitioner or allergist, dermatologist and surgeon can provide effective assistance in treatment.
Every person has experienced swelling of the toes to one degree or another. It is often caused by uncomfortable shoes, but there are other reasons for the appearance of this unpleasant symptom. Some of them are very dangerous, so if you notice persistent swelling of the foot and its moving parts, you should consult a doctor. Today we will talk about why the tissue of the fingers begins to swell and how to deal with this condition.
The presence of swelling of the toe is not always a sign of some serious disease. Often people themselves are to blame for the fact that excess fluid begins to accumulate in the tissue. Household causes of this unpleasant symptom include:
Swelling often occurs due to wearing uncomfortable shoes and ankle injuries. The second most common cause is ingrown toenails and calluses. People rarely encounter purulent inflammatory diseases of the fingers.
Swelling in the big toe can occur due to an ingrown toenail. Contrary to popular belief, this phenomenon cannot be attributed to human anatomical features. The toenail begins to grow ingrown due to wearing incorrectly selected shoes, as a result of mechanical stress, or due to fungal infections. Only a doctor can determine the cause of this pathology. The disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:
It is necessary to treat this disease because it can lead to gangrene. At the initial stage, when the nail has not deeply penetrated the tissue, you can make a soda bath for your feet, steam your fingers well, and then remove the ingrown nail with scissors. If you are very afraid of pain, you can first drink a painkiller or inject Lycodaine into your finger. The resulting wound must be disinfected. It is prohibited to use iodine and brilliant green to treat damage.
The nail must be cut completely. Even a small part of it can provoke the re-development of inflammation. A similar situation can be caused by improper nail removal. As a result of the procedure, germs will enter the wound, which will cause an infection. It will lead to deformation of the nail plate. To prevent this from happening, disinfect all tools. It is advisable to give the nail the same shape as on the same toe of the opposite foot. If both legs are affected, it is necessary
On the foot, the little toe may swell due to strong friction of the skin. Often this toe suffers when a person tries to break in new narrow shoes. Sometimes calluses appear when wearing flip-flops and sandals that are too loose. They travel along the leg in different directions, which leads to damage to the delicate skin of the finger. Calluses and corns can be overcome with the help of moisturizers and specialized acid peels. If a weeping wound has formed due to skin friction, it is necessary to wash it and then use specialized gels and breathable patches.
Women have to pay for their love of narrow, tight high-heeled shoes with redness and swelling of their toes. It is noteworthy that a similar situation is observed in men. They also tend to choose shoes that are not suitable for their size or foot type. You should not constantly wear shoes that put pressure on your feet. If your line of work requires you to wear shoes often, then in order to maintain your health, you will have to update your wardrobe. When choosing shoes, pay attention to the following points:
Swelling of the big toe joint can occur due to prolonged walking or excessive strain on the muscles. In general, it is normal for a person's feet to become red and slightly swollen after high-intensity exercise. This indicates that active blood pumping is occurring. But if after training your toe or entire ankle hurts, then you need to see a therapist.
Often after sprains and blows, the big toe hurts. If the pain is tolerable and does not intensify after 2-3 days, then there is no need to worry. But if the pain syndrome has become severe, you need to visit a traumatologist. It is possible that the finger was broken or damaged (bone fracture) as a result of mechanical impact.
Acute inflammation of the subcutaneous nail fold develops due to the penetration of microbes into this segment of the skin. One of the prerequisites for the development of panaritium is the weakness of the patient’s immunity, because Under normal conditions, short-term contact with Staphylococcus aureus will not cause inflammation in a person. Treatment involves opening the damaged area and allowing the pus to drain.
There is no point in indulging in long-term thoughts if there is swelling of the toes, and everyday causes are 100% excluded. It is necessary to immediately go to the hospital to carry out the appropriate diagnosis. When contacting a local doctor, the patient will be referred for tests. Based on the results obtained, it will be possible to say which disease led to the appearance of edema. Swelling of the toes is caused by the following ailments:
You will not be able to diagnose these diseases yourself. An exception to this list is valgus deformity of the fingers, because... it is visible to the naked eye to any person. The treatment plan must be developed by a doctor. Various miraculous decoctions will not help with progressive tendonitis.
This disease affects the joints of the fingers. Arthritis and psoriasis often occur in people with a genetic predisposition. Treatment of the disease is greatly complicated by damage to the skin. The joints begin to deform and crack. They have a higher temperature than the rest of the body. Large joints are rarely affected by this disease. The basis of treatment is the administration of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medications.
With diseases of the legs and their cartilage, swelling is often observed. Arthrosis is one of these diseases. At the initial stage, patients experience virtually no pain, but then it begins to appear more and more often. With arthrosis, stiffness of movement is observed in the morning. The fingers practically do not bend, but may be slightly swollen. Over time, the phalanges begin to deform, increasing in size, which leads to even greater discomfort. Treatment of the disease is conservative. The patient must follow a diet, attend physical therapy sessions and take medications.
The disease often occurs in older people. It can occur in middle-aged people with a genetic predisposition. The disease is characterized by disturbances in the absorption of phosphorus and calcium. As a result, bone density decreases, and the inflammatory process continues to spread throughout the body. Treatment of the disease is conservative. The patient will need to take specialized vitamins and foods containing large amounts of calcium and cholecalciferol.
Sometimes the answer to the question of why they swell for no reason and hurt is in plain sight for the patient, but he prefers not to notice it. In this case we are talking about protruding bones on the legs. At first, they do not even cause any problems to their carriers, until the displacement of the moving part of the lower limb reaches a critical point. Then patients experience pain when walking, and the lump begins to interfere greatly.
Hallux valgus deformity is treated only surgically. There is an opinion that the foot begins to deform due to metabolic disorders, but this is not so. Often the cause of pathology is prolonged mechanical impact caused by improperly selected shoes or the work characteristics of a particular person.
The disease is a benign tumor that occurs near the nerves of the toes. The most obvious symptom of a neuroma is shooting pain. It spreads between the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers. During an attack, the moving parts of the limb become numb, which causes lameness in the patient. The disease is considered quite rare. In the initial stages, it is well treated with conservative methods, but if the tumor has reached a large size, it is removed by a surgeon.
The disease causes problems with blood circulation. For this reason, diabetics often experience swelling in their feet. People diagnosed with diabetes need to monitor the condition of their limbs, because... Swelling that does not go away for a long time can mask serious circulatory disorders. If the disease starts, the only way out will be amputation of the limbs due to gangrene and necrosis.
When there is virtually no lift of the foot, the load on the whole body becomes uneven. Often flat feet are accompanied by scoliosis and other spinal diseases. In adults, wearing orthopedic insoles and specially selected shoes will help compensate for flat feet. It is recommended to massage your feet several times a day to reduce muscle tension.
When too many salts accumulate in the body, they begin to be deposited on bones and joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursa between the joints of the fingers becomes inflamed. Due to pathological deposition of salts, the foot and moving parts of the limb may become deformed. Fluid accumulates in bursitis. Over time, the temperature of the affected area begins to rise in a person.
Severe pain in the legs can occur due to scoliosis and other diseases that provoke a violation of the geometry of the body. Any curvature of the spine changes the center of gravity and load distribution. Instead of the leg muscles, the foot muscles begin to work more actively, which negatively affects the condition of the fingers. The following methods are used in the treatment of spinal diseases:
Every person's body contains uric acid. When its crystals begin to be deposited on the bones and joints of the ankle due to metabolic disorders, a person is diagnosed with heel gout. The disease is accompanied by severe swelling of the finger, severe joint pain and difficulty bending the finger. The only way to treat this disease is to take medications that help remove excess uric acid from the body.
In some people, due to injury, genetic predisposition, or age, the tendons in the foot begin to deteriorate. This process is accompanied by hyperemia and swelling of the surrounding tissues. When walking, a person suffering from this disease experiences severe pain. There is a slight increase in temperature in the area of the foot that is susceptible to this disease. Treatment can be medical or surgical.
The surest decision when detecting swelling of a finger is to go to the doctor. If swelling and redness caught you at work or you simply don’t have time to go to the hospital, then you need to purchase gels and antiseptics that relieve inflammation and constrict blood vessels. If only the thumb is swollen, then you need to make a foot bath based on salt or medicinal herbs.
Surgeons and traumatologists treat pathologies associated with feet, fingers and nails. They will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for the disease that caused the swelling of the fingers. If you have inflammation of the joints, you should first visit a therapist. He will give directions for the following procedures:
Treatment is prescribed based on tests. If it is necessary to remove the nail, this is done by a surgeon under local anesthesia. For inflammatory ailments, you will have to take specialized medications and attend physiotherapy.
Most often, for diseases of the joints and bones, patients are prescribed drugs that relieve pain and normalize metabolism. For autoimmune diseases, patients are prescribed medications with hormones. Tablets and suspensions are prescribed if the patient has a deficiency of any substance or a disorder in the functioning of organs. Surgical intervention is required if the disease has caused irreversible damage to the structure of the joints or causes severe discomfort to the person. Surgery is also resorted to if drug treatment is ineffective.
In practice, the patient can prevent the appearance of swelling caused by everyday causes. To do this, you should inspect your shoes, eliminating tight boots and shoes. You should also pay more attention to foot hygiene. Every day you need to thoroughly wash your toes and the space between them with soap. To clean your nails, you should use a special brush.
Prevention of diseases that cause swelling of the fingers involves timely medical examinations. If you notice symptoms of any illness, you should not wait for it to go away on its own. You should immediately contact your doctor and describe your condition. In case of injuries to the spine and legs, special attention should be paid to the recovery period. It is necessary to follow all doctors' recommendations and do not neglect gymnastics.
February 24, 2017
There is a stereotype that swelling of the lower extremities is associated only with excessive fluid intake and a sedentary lifestyle. If your legs are swollen below the knees, the reasons for this may be more alarming. In fact, the presence of this symptom can be a formidable harbinger of cardiovascular pathology, kidney disease, liver disease, inflammatory vascular lesions, tumor compression of the iliac veins and other serious diseases.
Proper diagnosis allows you to timely identify the underlying disease and select effective timely therapy.
Swelling of the legs may be a consequence of right ventricular failure. Wherein:
Let's take a closer look at the reasons why the legs below the knees swell with right ventricular failure. Due to the deterioration of the contractility of the ventricles, adequate blood supply to organs and tissues is disrupted, the sympathoadrenal system is activated, the lumen of the venules and arterioles narrows, and the number of heart contractions increases. In response to vasoconstriction, blood pressure increases, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated, renal blood flow decreases, sodium and water are retained, blood supply to the vessels increases, and hydrostatic pressure in the veins increases.
If the legs below the knees swell, the reasons for this may be that there is increased vascular permeability, a decrease in protein synthesis and its excretion in the urine due to associated kidney damage.
Cardiogenic edema develops gradually and is most pronounced towards the end of the day. They spread from bottom to top.
The feet are the first to swell, and complaints about tightness and uncomfortable shoes appear. Then the lower leg swells. The skin is cold to the touch, pale cyanotic. There are marks from socks, elastic bands, and shoe fasteners. When pressed, a dimple remains on the skin for a long time.
Symmetry of edema is characteristic. With prolonged sitting, swelling of the lumbar region may occur.
With decompensation of right ventricular failure, edema becomes widespread. Ascites appears (filling of the abdominal cavity with fluid). It is possible to develop anasarca (extensive swelling of the skin and subcutaneous fat).
For left ventricular failure, manifestations of cardiac asthma are more typical:
Therapy consists of the following measures:
Do your legs below the knees swell with left ventricular failure? We have reviewed the causes and recommendations for treatment.
Unlike cardiac edema, renal edema is most pronounced in the morning and develops from top to bottom. Initially, the eyelids and face swell. Towards the afternoon, the legs (legs and ankles) swell, the swelling of the face is less pronounced. The skin is soft, warm, the pit quickly disappears after pressing with a finger. The presence of cyanosis is not typical.
The ability of edema to “migrate” is an important diagnostic sign for kidney pathology.
There is a tendency to high blood pressure.
If your leg below the knee is swollen with diseased kidneys, you will find the causes, treatment, as well as other useful recommendations below.
Edema is associated with toxic-immune damage to the glomeruli of the kidneys, a decrease in their filtration rate, fluid retention, an increase in blood volume, the release of plasma blood components into the tissue due to increased vascular permeability and reduced oncotic blood pressure due to pronounced loss of protein in the urine.
And yet, why do the legs below the knees swell? The causes and symptoms of these unpleasant sensations are interrelated.
With the development of edema due to glomerulonephritis, a connection with a past infection, such as tonsillitis, is noted.
With nephritic syndrome, edema is less pronounced, and hematuria syndrome is characteristic (urine takes on the color of meat slop).
Nephrotic syndrome is accompanied by massive loss of protein in the urine and severe edema up to anasarca.
The following are used in therapy:
Why do my legs swell below the knees? The causes and symptoms of these unpleasant sensations may indicate liver disease.
A decrease in protein synthesis in the liver due to severe damage to its tissue (end-stage hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty degeneration, hepatocellular carcinoma) is accompanied by severe widespread edema, up to anasarca. Hepatic edema is accompanied by severe itching of the skin, scratching, spider veins, capillary fragility, yellowness of the skin and visible mucous membranes.
What other causes are there for such a phenomenon as swelling of the leg below the knee? Varicose veins on the legs are characterized by redness and peeling of the skin, which is accompanied by a dull aching pain, fatigue, and heaviness in the legs.
With severe lesions, trophic changes in the skin are possible: dermatitis, ulcers, hyperpigmentation. On examination, contoured venous patterns, pronounced swelling, dilation and bulging of veins, and trophic changes in the skin are visible. The swelling is asymmetrical, of varying severity, depending on the degree of damage to the veins.
The presence of swelling in the legs is isolated and is not combined with other clinical symptoms (shortness of breath, cough, swelling in the face and torso, fever, etc.).
If you are concerned about swelling of the leg below the knee due to varicose veins, the reasons, photos and other useful information are available in this article. Perhaps this will help you.
In case of severe damage, surgical treatment (phlebosclerosis) is used.
Drug treatment includes the use of venotonics and antiplatelet agents.
What is the reason for swelling of the legs below the knees, in addition to the above diseases? Swelling of the legs can also occur due to phlebothrombosis. With deep vein thrombosis, the initial stages occur without signs of inflammation of the vein wall.
Reddening of the skin and swelling rarely occurs. The skin is glossy, the venous pattern is clearly contoured. Swelling of only the affected leg appears. The pain spreads to the inner thigh. The pain increases sharply when walking.
Let's take a closer look at the reasons why the legs below the knees swell in chronic venous insufficiency. Constantly progressive damage to the venous system is accompanied by symmetrical edema, disappearing in the morning and appearing in the evening. Redness of the skin of the legs is observed (against the background of severe swelling). It is extremely rare for a unilateral lesion to occur.
Pain and swelling in arthritis are associated with effusion into the joint cavity. The joint is increased in size. Characteristic redness of the skin.
The onset of juvenile arthritis (before 16 years of age) is accompanied by an acute onset, fever, and rash on the skin of the face, torso, buttocks, and over the joints. Internal organs are affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by morning stiffness.
If you have been diagnosed with Schönlein-Henoch hemorrhagic vasculitis and you are concerned about why your right leg is swollen below the knee, we will discuss the reasons further.
There is a connection with previous infection, taking antibiotics, and the presence of severe allergic reactions.
The articular form is characterized by: swelling, swelling of the knee joints, muscle pain, hemorrhagic rash on the limbs, hips and buttocks.
Due to impaired coagulation, hemorrhages in muscles and joints associated with minor trauma are possible. The affected joint is swollen, sharply painful on movement and palpation, the skin is hyperemic and hot to the touch.
If the legs below the knees swell, the reasons for this are not always associated with pathology. The occurrence of edema can be a consequence of:
So, you need to be concerned if your legs below the knees often swell. The causes and types of edema can be different.
For preventive purposes, it is recommended to: normalize body weight and balance nutrition, stop drinking alcohol, regularly undergo preventive examinations with a therapist, and include dosed and regular physical activity in your daily routine. In the absence of pathology from the kidneys and cardiovascular system, yoga (inverted asanas) and physical therapy (the “birch tree” exercise) are effective in normalizing venous outflow.
What to do if your legs below the knees swell? The reasons, how to treat it, how to get rid of it - all this is of interest to those faced with the problem. Our article provides answers to all these questions.
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Itching, rash, redness on one leg or both can be caused by a large number of internal and external factors. To get rid of annoying symptoms, it is necessary to identify the cause of their appearance and eliminate it.
This group of factors includes the most harmless and easily removable factors.
External mechanical influences include the following:
To eliminate unpleasant phenomena, it is enough to get rid of the listed reasons, for example, pay attention to clothes, shoes, change them if necessary.
Rash and other symptoms of irritation that occur after depilation or an insect bite can be eliminated with antihistamines, or rather, ointments. For example, the means “Fenistil”, “Psilo-Balm” . or having a local anesthetic effect (pr. “Menovazin” ), or based on medicinal plants (pr. “Malavit” ).
Erysipelas most often occurs against the background of decreased immune defense and mainly affects the skin on the legs. The inflamed area turns red, and a characteristic bright red ridge appears along its edges, with a local increase in temperature, swelling, pain and itching. The severe course of the pathology is accompanied by peeling of the skin, the appearance of blisters and long-healing ulcers. After healing, clearly visible marks remain at the sites of inflammation.
In this case, the infection is always accompanied by an increase in temperature, so it is advisable to take antipyretic drugs, for example, paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, and there is also a need for antibacterial agents. Antibiotics can be prescribed both in tablets and in injection form. This may be erythromycin, doxycycline or ampicillin.
If there are no blisters on the skin, then topical treatment should not be used. Otherwise, the blisters are opened by a doctor on an outpatient basis, and the affected areas are treated with rivanol or furatsilin.
In this case we are talking about a fungal infection of the skin. As a rule, pathogens are localized on the skin of the feet themselves and between the toes.
Symptoms of incipient mycosis are painful cracks, blisters that cause itching, and stinging diaper rash. As a result, the skin peels off, falls off in whole flakes, and purulent ulcers form in place of the blisters.
Mycosis is treated with special antifungal ointments, which first peel off the affected skin. Various antifungal drugs can suppress the activity of pathogenic fungi. For example, these include Miconazole and Econazole . solution "Fukortsin", tablets for oral administration "Lamisil", "Orungal" .
This pathology is caused by scabies mites that move under the skin. This is where the main symptom of the disease appears – itching. Small pimples also appear. The most effective treatment for scabies is benzyl benzoate.
The pathological process affects nerve fibers. At a certain stage, lichen is accompanied by a skin rash (vesicles with contents). Until this moment, there is an increase in temperature, a strong deterioration in general health, and pain along the nerve. In treatment, drugs such as Valaciclovir and Acyclovir . Gerferon ointment . as well as physical therapy.
Unpleasant sensations can be caused by washing, detergents, and cosmetics. These include soap, powder used for washing clothes, foot creams, etc. To get rid of the listed unpleasant symptoms, you need to give up allergy-causing products.
Sometimes it happens that the causes of redness are hidden in contact with pets living near a person. For example, saliva or pet hair, fluff and feathers, or animal dander can be an allergen. If you cannot refuse to keep such pets, then you should clean your apartment/house more often, use air filters, and also prohibit animals from being in the bedroom.
Redness and other signs of allergies can be caused by dust mites that live in soft toys, furniture, and bedding. It is better to get rid of such things and replace them with synthetic analogues. You also need to periodically clean the apartment using an anti-tick spray.
In addition, food allergies cannot be discounted.
Allergy symptoms may appear on the legs due to chocolate, citrus fruits, some berries, etc. In children, this often happens when complementary foods are introduced or early introduction of cow's milk. It is advisable to exclude such products from your diet, and in the case of allergies in a child, you should consult a specialist.
A negative reaction on the leg may appear in the form of urticaria. A person develops and then disappears a rash that causes itching. This is followed by painful blisters and swelling. Urticaria often develops due to the consumption of certain foods, medications, or exposure to the sun or cold. First you need to identify the cause of the disease, and then begin to eliminate it and relieve symptoms.
Also, damage to the legs can be due to hereditary causes, namely eczema, which is often transmitted genetically. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of nodules and redness. As the pathology progresses, the nodules enlarge and fill with fluid. And after they burst, they become covered with crusts. All stages of the disease are accompanied by severe itching.
To reduce the risk of developing eczema to a minimum, you need to monitor your diet, prevent various infectious diseases, and follow the rules of hygiene. It is very important to exclude stress and emotional stress, since eczema quite often worsens against the background of such.
Thrombophlebitis refers to diseases of the circulatory system, varicose veins - to vascular pathologies. In a sick person, venous inflammation and filling of the lumen of the vessel with a blood clot (thrombus) are simultaneously observed. If the latter does not resolve, the compaction does not disappear, then a circulatory disorder occurs. Also, a blood clot can break off and lead to sudden death, blocking, for example, a pulmonary artery.
With varicose veins, there is redness and swelling along the vein. This area is itchy, swollen and painful. The pain syndrome intensifies when trying to palpate (probing). In addition, there is a thickening of the vein on the leg under the skin with redness, which is felt tactilely.
Treatment consists of using agents that strengthen the walls of blood vessels (eg Detralex, Troxevasin ) and anti-inflammatory drugs ( Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Ketonal-gel) .
Blood clots located above or below the knee can be dissolved with heparin ointment or injections of low molecular weight heparin during exacerbation of the disease.
A pronounced symptom of the pathology is itchy skin. A rash in the form of blisters may appear on the surface of the skin, which disappears after blood glucose levels normalize.
Scratching the itchy areas can cause infection, which will make the condition worse. The intensity of knee itching caused by diabetes depends on the effectiveness of treatment for the latter. For local treatment, products that alleviate skin conditions are used, for example, Flucinar . cream "Gistan-N" .
Remember that before treatment you must undergo diagnostics and establish an accurate diagnosis!
Swelling is an accumulation of fluid, the localization of which is soft tissue. Swelling of the leg is a sign of the development of the disease; below the knee is a common phenomenon, especially in older people. Young people who experience certain pathologies are no exception. Why does swelling occur in the area below the knee?
Swelling and redness of the leg below the knee are caused by various reasons, which trigger the mechanism of swelling. Both the left and right legs may swell. In medicine, there are reasons for such symptoms:
The cause of leg swelling can be a bruise, sprain or fracture. It is almost impossible to prevent such injuries, but when they occur, swelling is the initial symptom that occurs after hemorrhage under the skin.
For many victims, swelling does not make them want to go to the doctor, but it can be a sign of a serious injury, which, if left untreated, can cause negative consequences.
It is very easy to get sprained and ruptured ankle ligaments; all you need to do is slip on ice or trip and fall unsuccessfully. In addition to such a symptom as swelling of the leg below the knee, spraining is characterized by the following symptoms:
Removing the cause of swelling and treating a sprain should first involve applying a cold compress, followed by a pressure bandage. Do not apply a cold compress to skin that is not protected. Therefore, you must first put a towel or gauze on the affected area, and then apply cold. By carrying out this initial treatment, you can quickly get rid of swelling and pain.
A day after the injury, if the pain and swelling of the leg below the knee are not eliminated, you need to apply heat (a heating pad) or take a hot bath. Heat compresses promote blood circulation and relaxation.
In case of a bruise (foot, knee, ankle), swelling and redness of the leg below the knee occurs when there is interstitial hemorrhage, which is observed when small vessels are damaged. If your leg is swollen, whether left or right, and redness occurs, you should not neglect going to the doctor, as this can cause negative consequences.
Symptoms of a bruised leg include: the affected area hurts, the leg swells, and in some cases, a hematoma occurs. Sometimes the affected area may lose functionality, but with timely treatment these symptoms can be avoided.
Initially, eliminating the cause of swelling and the treatment process involves applying a cold compress to eliminate swelling and hematoma. No less effective is folk treatment, which involves the use of herbs and preparations based on natural ingredients.
Getting a leg fracture below the knee is also quite easy, just like a bruise or sprain, only the force of impact should be higher. The symptoms will be similar for these injuries: swelling of the leg below the knee, pain that occurs immediately after the injury, deformation of the damaged area. With a displaced fracture, the passage of a bone fragment through the skin can be noted.
Symptoms of swelling of the leg below the knee always occur with a fracture. Why is this happening? This is observed due to disruption of blood flow and lymph outflow. Swelling almost always occurs when there is a fracture in the area of the foot and ankle. In these places, the edematous manifestation is more noticeable, and when a bone is fractured, it takes longer to heal due to the greater loads on this section.
As soon as the doctor removes the cast from the affected area, you may notice that the leg swells and a feeling of muscle stiffness occurs. In this case, such a manifestation does not require treatment, because with the gradual restoration of blood vessels and improvement of blood circulation, we can talk about its independent disappearance.
In severe cases of injury, if damage has occurred not only to tissues, but also to ligaments, large swelling is observed, which is accompanied by severe pain. In this case, eliminating the cause of swelling and treatment will be more painstaking and lengthy. If the swelling is large, this may indicate the presence of pinching of one of the main arteries. In this case, treatment with gymnastics, massage and ointments will be ineffective.
In other, less complicated cases, the doctor prescribes the use of ointments (Troxevasin, Ichthyolova, etc.) to relieve swelling. Physiotherapeutic procedures are also carried out.
The leg also swells in the event of a bone crack, that is, an “incomplete fracture,” when there is an incomplete violation of the integrity of the bone. Pain syndrome occurs. Treatment in this case will be no less serious than in case of a fracture. Therefore, it is forbidden to buy medications on your own, without consulting a specialist.
Elimination of the cause of swelling and treatment of a crack in the leg bone below the knee should be carried out in conjunction with providing the victim with complete rest. Basically, treatment consists of applying a plaster cast to the damaged area. An additional remedy is the use of medications that contain calcium and vitamins.
No less rarely, swelling is a symptom of psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by its asymmetry, that is, covering only one limb. The area most susceptible to pathology is the foot. Edema may also be accompanied by deforming arthrosis, which affects one leg.
Where does the name psoriatic arthritis come from? This is explained by the fact that the disease has symptoms of both psoriasis and arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis occurs against the background of psoriasis.
In addition to swelling, the psoriatic form of arthritis is accompanied by pain in the joint area, which may not occur at the initial stage of development of the disease. Also present are redness of the skin, increased local temperature, pain when walking, morning stiffness, and symptoms of psoriasis (plaques on the skin). It can be noted that it is impossible to completely cure such a pathology, but it is quite possible to alleviate its course. The necessary treatment is prescribed by the doctor based on each specific case.
With existing varicose veins, swelling can be asymmetrical, that is, with manifestation only on one limb.
If there is redness of the skin and the legs hurt due to swelling, treatment with folk remedies is recommended:
To prevent redness and swelling of the extremities, it is important to follow preventive measures, which consist of limiting high loads on the lower extremities, as well as maintaining a rest regime. Preventive gymnastics is no less useful. If the first discomfort appears, it is better to go to the hospital than to deal with complications later.
If your leg is swollen for no apparent reason, these may be reasons hidden in the development of diseases, since in some cases the inflammatory process can occur in one leg, spreading to the other over time. This is why it is important to contact a specialist.