If you have swollen ankles and feet, you’re not alone. According to statistics, there are around 4.4 million people in the United Stated that suffer from edema. Swelling or edema occurs when there’s an excessive buildup of fluid in the body tissues. This condition, caused by water retention, can affect different parts of the body but it’s mostly manifested in ankles, feet, legs, hands, and arms.
The most common causes of edema are standing or sitting still for long, physical inactivity, pregnancy, kidney problems, high blood pressure, excessive salt intake, and diabetes.
But, in many cases, swelling in the ankles and feet can be caused by certain medications, including hormones (usually estrogen and testosterone), blood pressure medication that contain nifedipine, diltiazem, and verapamil, steroids, antidepressants, NSAIDs, and diabetes medications.
There are three main types of edema, peripheral, cerebral, and eye edema. The one that affects feet, ankles, hands, and arms is the peripheral type, also known as pedal edema.
Although not very painful, having swollen hands and feet is very uncomfortable. Sometimes, a person can have one leg or foot more swollen than the other one, and in such cases, they have to consult a doctor as soon as possible as this could indicate a blood clot.
In this post, you’ll learn three home remedies that will help relieve your swollen ankles and feet. They all require natural ingredients, so there are no side effects.
3 DIY Remedies for Swollen Feet and Ankles
1. Mint Bath
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- Half a cup of mint leaves
Preparation
Pour the water into a pot, and add the leaves. Place the pot on the stove to heat, and let it stay for ten minutes. Put it aside and allow it to cool for another ten minutes. Transfer the mint water in a bucket and soak your swollen feet for around half an hour.
2. Tonic Water Bath
Ingredients
- Tonic water
All you need to have for this treatment is tonic water. It may sound strange, but people say it really helped them relieve their swelling.
Instructions
Pour cold or room temperature tonic water in a bucket, and soak your feet for half an hour. The quinine from the tonic water and the bubbles will significantly help reduce the swelling in your feet and ankles.
3. Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt can relax your tensed muscles, so it’s great for treating swollen ankles and feet. Pour some water in a bucket enough to cover your ankles and add a handful of salt.
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