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Who among us has never experienced unpleasant and often painful swelling of the feet! There can be several causes of this phenomenon, and those in whom these problems occur more often or are even already chronic should pay particular attention.
The most common causes of swelling of the lower limbs include:
- long-term wearing of poor-quality or improperly chosen footwear
- prolonged standing, but surprisingly also sitting, and in some cases both
- reduced blood flow through the vessels.
It is worst when the causes combine and, in addition, things like obesity and lack of movement are added.
Depending on the intensity and severity of your problems, you have the option to either seek medical help or try one of the effective methods listed below.
Ice
Ice has been used to eliminate swelling and relieve pain for a very long time and it really helps with these problems. If you hold ice on the affected area for a while, you will feel relief. Just be careful that the ice does not burn your skin. A bag of ice is therefore suitable to place, for example, inside a pillowcase.
Cabbage leaves
This method may seem very strange to you, but it really has surprising effects. Simply apply a cold cabbage leaf from the refrigerator to the swelling and leave it on for a while. When it loses its low temperature, you can replace it with a fresh cold leaf.
Salt bath
Treat your swollen feet to a soothing bath to which you add Himalayan or sea salt, and you will see how soon you will feel better.
Eucalyptus bath
Just add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to warm water and you have a healing bath that helps quickly reduce any swelling. The substances contained in this essential oil act favourably as a stimulant to blood circulation.
Sufficient hydration
For prevention, but also to reduce swelling, it is absolutely essential to drink often and regularly, with the basis of course being fresh water, preferably still. This is especially important in the summer months when a lack of fluids causes undesirable water retention in the body.
