When to See a Doctor for Swollen Feet (2024)

Getty

See Also

Struggling with Heat Edema? Effective Strategies to Reduce Swelling in Hot Weather | Modern Foot & AnkleSwollen Feet After Sitting: 10 Causes, Diagnosis and TreatmentSwollen Feet or Ankles? 13 Possible Causes7 Ways to Get Rid of Swollen Ankles

Swollen feet and ankles are a common occurrence, particularly among pregnant women and older people, but they can affect anyone. The swelling is caused by the buildup of excess fluid, which is called edema.

Edema can occur anywhere in the body, but the feet are frequently affected due to gravity. When the condition occurs without pain, swollen feet treatment can usually begin at home.

Even though having swollen feet during pregnancy is common, it can also indicate preeclampsia, which is a serious health condition. If you have severe swollen feet or a sudden increase in swelling, see a doctor right away for an evaluation to protect your health and the health of your baby.

If the swelling in your feet is not due to a serious condition, your doctor may recommend some home treatments to deal with the problem.

Other health conditions can also cause swollen feet, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. If you have a history of any of these conditions, contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• fever
• the swelling gets worse or spreads to your legs
• the swelling is red and warm to the touch
• the swelling is on just one side
• the swelling lasts for more than a few days and home remedies aren’t working

If you have chest pain or shortness of breath along with the swelling, call 911. This could indicate a blood clot in your lungs, called a pulmonary embolism, which can be life threatening.

You can start treatment for swollen feet at home with some easy remedies and some lifestyle changes. For example, reduce swelling in your feet by lying down and elevating your legs whenever you can to move the excess fluid away from your feet.

Over-the-counter compression stockings may also help prevent fluid buildup in the feet. If you sit for extended periods, be sure to get up and move around every so often to get blood and fluid moving around your body again.

Some lifestyle changes that can help prevent swollen feet include:

• reducing the amount of salt in your diet
• exercising, particularly your legs, to improve blood flow
• not wearing tight pants that restrict blood flow in your thighs

• shedding excess pounds

Swollen feet in pregnancy are very common. People who spend a lot of time on their feet and people who are overweight also have a higher risk of developing swollen feet.

Other common causes of swollen feet include:

• sitting for an extended time without breaks for walking
• certain times of the menstrual cycle
• taking estrogen
• eating too much salt
• certain medications, such as antidepressants, hormones, steroids or calcium channel blockers
• surgery that has damaged the lymphatic system
• problem with bones and tendons in the feet, usually accompanied by pain
• an ingrown toenail or wound on the foot, which usually causes pain
  

Some causes of swollen feet, ankles and legs are more serious, including:

• a blood clot in the leg
• an infection
• problems with the veins in the legs
• heart failure
• kidney failure
• liver failure
  

A primary care physician can help you figure out how to deal with swollen feet. He or she may be able to adjust medications, treat an infection, or help you figure out some lifestyle changes that would address the problem.

In some cases, your family doctor may refer you to a specialist if he or she suspects an underlying health condition that’s causing your swollen feet. In that case, you’ll have to see a doctor to help with that specific problem.

A cardiologist can provide care for your heart; a nephrologist can handle any problems with your kidneys; and a hepatologist can treat liver problems. You may need to see a podiatrist to deal with an ingrown toenail or if you have a problem with the bones or tendons in your foot.

Check with your insurance company to see whether you need a referral to a specialist before making an appointment.

If you’re pregnant and the swelling is severe enough to call a doctor, visit your obstetrician to rule out preeclampsia.

Because swollen feet can have many different causes—including serious medical conditions—it’s important to get the problem evaluated by a doctor if home treatment doesn’t help after a few days or if the swelling gets worse.