Swollen feet may not seem like an overly concerning condition, especially if they aren’t painful, but that doesn’t mean you should just continue on with life as you know it and assume it’s fine. Sometimes swollen feet aren’t a sign of a major issue, but other times they could be a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the signs that your swollen feet are a cause for concern that should be examined by a foot specialist.
Are Swollen Feet A Problem?
If you’re on your feet all day for work, you just completed an intense workout or your feet experienced some trauma during athletics, it’s not uncommon for your feet to be a little swollen. Oftentimes this type of swelling fades after a few hours or a day, and in general, is not something to be too concerned with. However, if your swelling is more consistent with the following descriptions, you’ll want to sync up with a foot specialist in your area.
Prolonged – If your swelling persists for days at a time or longer, it’s a serious sign that blood is not moving in and out of the areas as it should, and it requires attention.
Just One Foot – In many cases, it’s better that both feet are a little swollen as opposed to one foot with significant swelling. Your feet should drain pretty evenly, so absent a sprain to one ankle, there shouldn’t be a noticeable size difference between the two. If there is, call a physician.
Indentation – One way to test the severity of your swelling is to press one finger into the area with moderate force. If there’s enough swelling that pressure from your finger leaves an indentation, you should consult with a physician.
Discoloration – If swelling is presenting with discoloration in your foot, it could be a sign that the area is not getting enough oxygen for one reason or another. If your feet don’t have the normal hue and are swollen, contact a doctor sooner rather than later.
Pain is Present – If swelling is accompanied by pain, know that it’s not normal, especially if you haven’t recently experienced significant trauma to the area. Pain paired with swelling are signs that a doctor’s visit should be in your near future.
Heat – Another pair of symptoms to watch out for is swelling combined with a warming or hot sensation. When paired together, they often indicate that an infection is present. The best way to treat a foot infection is with antibiotics from a physician.