Swollen feet usually occur during and post-pregnancy, but numerous other factors can cause your feet to swell. These include:
- Hot weather
- Staying on your feet for long hours
- Lifestyle factors
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Certain medical conditions
- Edema
- Infections
- Blood clots
- Side effects of medication
Swollen feet aren’t exactly a dangerous or serious concern, especially if you’ve been walking a lot lately or standing for long. However, if your feet and ankles are swelling a lot lately or are accompanied by other bodily symptoms, it could be a sign of a serious health issue.
Fortunately, though, there are many at-home remedies for swollen feet. That significantly helps relieve the swelling and restore the normal shape and size of your feet. When it comes to swelling, there aren’t any particularly curative solutions. It’s all about effective management and taking preventive measures.
We’ve rounded up some simple home remedies for swollen feet that you can try to reduce the swelling. Prevent any discomfort in your feet.
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Drink At least 10 Glasses Of Water Everyday
As counterintuitive as this might sound, there’s no secret about the fact that drinking enough water and staying hydrated throughout the day is extremely helpful for helping swollen feet.
When you aren’t as hydrated as you normally should be, your body uses up the fluids that it already has. Leading to swelling in different areas of the body.
So, to reduce swollen feet and ankles, you must drink at least 10 glasses of water every single day and stay hydrated.
Epsom Salt Bath
Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt is a chemical compound that helps rescue swollen feet and ankles. It also helps with inflammation and muscle pain by increasing relaxation in the body and drawing toxins out of the body.
One of the most soothing at-home remedies for swollen feet is the Epsom salt bath, which is also one of the most popular Epsom salts.
Fill a bucket with warm water, add half a cup of Epsom salts and soak your feet and ankles in it properly for 15-20 minutes. Ensure that the water isn’t too hot because it can worsen the swelling and even cause inflammation in your feet.
Use this home remedy twice a day if the swelling doesn’t subside for maximum comfort and relief.
Keep Your Feet Elevated
If your job requires you to stay on your feet for long hours, you must stay off your feet whenever you can and keep them elevated. Take a soft cushion or pillow, prop your feet on top during times when using your phone, watching the television, or sleeping.
This isn’t exactly a quick fix or cure for swollen feet, but more like a process that you should do every day to relieve swelling over time and prevent discomfort.
Use Grapefruit Essential Oil
Essential oils have so many incredible health benefits, and many of them have long been used for numerous medical purposes.
Grapefruit essential oil has been proven to be extremely beneficial for reducing swollen feet and ankles. Grapefruit comprises impressive oxidative properties that help fight inflammation and swelling in the body.
Draw up a warm bath, add 2-3 drops of grapefruit essential oil to it and allow it to work its wonders on the swollen areas.
Exercise Daily For A Few Minutes
Oftentimes, swollen feet are simply a result of a lack of movement, such as standing or sitting in one place for too long. You need to move around and do some physical activity and movement to reduce swelling.
Another commonly suggested home remedy for swollen feet is exercising daily for at least a few minutes. Move your knees around, extend your ankles and flex your feet for immediate relief and comfort.
Try to spare an hour daily in different physical activities such as cycling, swimming, walking, running, or jogging, among many others.
Wear Compression Socks
Primarily designed for compression therapy, compression socks apply gentle pressure on your feet, ankles, and legs. Significantly help prevent swelling and pain in the feet. They also promote the proper blood flow to the heart from your legs, thereby boosting overall circulation in the body.
Compression socks generally come in light, medium, and heavyweights. So you must make sure to choose a pair that works best for you and isn’t too tight nor too loose. It is best to start with lightweight socks and gradually work your way up to other weights. Wear the socks first thing in the morning and try to tolerate them for as long as possible.
Drink Coriander Seeds-Infused Water
Coriander seeds are a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic treatment for swollen legs, ankles, and feet. They have anti-inflammatory properties, which greatly help reduce swelling and alleviate pain in swollen feet.
All you need to do is boil a cup of water, add two to three teaspoons of coriander seeds to it and let it boil till the mixture reduces to half.
Strain the water, cool for a bit, and then drink it twice a day.
Other Home Remedies For Swollen Feet
Apart from the above-mentioned home remedies for swollen feet. There are many other things that you should normally do at home to prevent swollen feet.
These include:
- massaging the feet gently for a few minutes twice a day
- soaking the feet in cold water
- staying active and doing physical activities
- eating more potassium-rich foods to reduce water retention in the body
- working out and losing weight if overweight
- elevating the feet above the heart regularly when sitting down
- eating a nice healthful diet
- being careful about your salt intake
- wearing comfortable shoes to allow ventilation, especially in hot weather
Key Takeaway
In most cases, these simple home remedies for swollen feet work well and don’t require medical attention. However, in case the swelling doesn’t go away, it is best to consult your doctor. As there could be an underlying cause which they will be able to determine after careful inspection.
