You come home after a long day, take off your shoes, and there you have it… your feet are swollen, painful, almost unrecognizable. Whether you’ve been standing too long, exposed to the heat, or consumed too much salt, swollen feet are common—but not irreversible. Before you worry, know that there are simple and effective ways to quickly soothe this discomfort.
Why do our feet swell?
Foot swelling, or edema, can occur for a variety of reasons:
- Heat, which dilates blood vessels
- Poor venous circulation
- Too much salt in your diet
- Pregnancy or taking certain medications
- Dehydration or lack of physical activity
Often, swelling is benign. But it can also be a sign of a circulatory or kidney disorder, hence the importance of monitoring for associated signs .
