Understanding Heat Edema: A Comprehensive Guide
Discover the crucial aspects of heat edema, including its warning signs, symptoms, and effective treatment options, to stay informed and proactive about your health during warmer weather.
What is heat edema?
Edema is a condition involving swelling of the tissue in the body caused by the buildup of excess fluid. Some of the most common causes of edema include underlying disease, injury, consuming too much salt and standing for too long.
Heat edema can be described as swelling that occurs as a result of being subjected to high temperatures. It occurs when the heat causes blood vessels in the body to expand. This expansion allows for larger amounts of fluid to gather in the hands and feet, and thus heat edema occurs.
What are some of the signs of heat edema?
- Swollen or puffy hands or feet — This is one of the most obvious signs of heat edema. Patients with this condition should be able to visibly tell if their limbs have increased in size.
- Shiny skin — Another symptom of heat edema is skin that has become shiny and taut. This can be an indicator that there is swelling within the tissue.
- Reduced skin elasticity — When you press your finger into your skin and it leaves a dimple, this can be another symptom of edema. Your skin should normally bounce back, but when there is significant swelling, it may take several seconds to return to normal.
What are some common treatments for heat edema?
- Elevating the affected limbs — Elevating the limbs that have become swollen can be an effective way to quickly reduce swelling. You should place your swollen limbs in a position so that they are higher than your heart to decrease fluid retention.
- Reduce the amount of salt you consume — Too much salt in the body can increase your chances of experiencing edema. One way you can reduce your chances of developing edema is by reducing your salt intake.
- Endovenous laser ablation — In some instances, heat edema can be an indication of an underlying condition like chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). If you have CVI, the best way to treat the root cause may be to undergo a minimally invasive procedure called endovenous laser ablation. During this simple procedure, a small laser is used to close off the damaged veins and reroute blood to better-functioning blood vessels.
Contact United Vein & Vascular Centers for your vein treatments
You don’t have to continue worrying about symptoms of vein conditions that are making your life more difficult. Our vein specialists at United Vein & Vascular Centers are here to help you.
Our specialists can also help you find the most effective treatment option for your vein condition and include it in a comprehensive treatment plan that’s designed to:
- Reduce your symptoms.
- Improve your ability to walk and perform other normal daily tasks.
- Increase your overall quality of life.
Contact us today to learn more about your vein condition and the ways it can be treated or to set up an initial appointment.
