Water under the skin. Water Blisters: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies
What are water blisters and how do they form. How can you treat water blisters at home. When should you seek medical attention for water blisters. What are effective prevention strategies for water blisters.
Understanding Water Blisters: Formation and Common Causes
Water blisters, medically known as vesicles (small blisters) or bullae (larger blisters), are fluid-filled sacs that form on the skin’s surface. These protective pads develop when the outer layer of skin sustains damage, prompting the body to send blood to heal and cool the affected area. The blisters consist of blood serum without clotting agents and blood cells.
Several factors can lead to the formation of water blisters:
- Friction from ill-fitting shoes or repetitive motions
- Burns (thermal, chemical, or sunburn)
- Contact dermatitis or eczema
- Allergic reactions
- Exposure to plants like poison ivy, oak, or sumac
- Viral infections (herpes, chickenpox, shingles)
- Bacterial skin infections (impetigo)
- Frostbite
The Natural Healing Process of Water Blisters
In most cases, water blisters heal on their own without intervention. The skin covering the blister serves as a natural barrier against infection while new skin forms underneath. As this process occurs, the fluid within the blister is gradually absorbed by the body.
To protect a healing blister from friction and maintain cleanliness, consider covering it with a bandage. This simple step can significantly aid the natural healing process and prevent complications.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most water blisters resolve independently, certain situations warrant professional medical care. Contact your healthcare provider if you observe any of the following:
- Signs of infection (pus, swelling, redness, warmth, or pain around the blister)
- Development of a fever
- Multiple blisters with no apparent cause
- Continued drainage after draining the blister
- Pre-existing conditions like poor circulation or diabetes
Proper Techniques for Draining Large or Painful Water Blisters
While it’s generally best to leave blisters intact, draining may be necessary for large, painful blisters or those likely to rupture on their own. Follow these steps to safely drain a water blister:
- Thoroughly wash the blister, surrounding area, and your hands with warm water and soap.
- Apply iodine to the blister and surrounding skin using an absorbent pad.
- Sterilize a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol.
- Carefully puncture the blister near its edge in a few spots, allowing fluid to drain while keeping the overlying skin intact.
- Apply petroleum jelly or a similar ointment to the area.
- Cover the blister with a non-stick gauze bandage.
Post-Drainage Care
After draining a blister, proper follow-up care is crucial:
- Monitor for signs of infection daily.
- After a few days, use sterilized scissors and tweezers to carefully remove dead skin.
- Reapply ointment and cover the area with a fresh bandage.
Effective Prevention Strategies for Water Blisters
The key to preventing water blisters is avoiding the factors that cause them. While this may seem obvious, implementing specific strategies can significantly reduce the likelihood of blister formation.
Foot Care to Prevent Blisters
- Wear properly fitting shoes to minimize friction.
- Choose moisture-wicking socks to keep feet dry.
- Apply moleskin to areas inside shoes that rub against your feet.
- Use foot powder in socks before putting them on to reduce moisture.
Hand Protection
- Wear gloves during activities that may cause friction or irritation.
- Apply powder inside gloves before use to absorb moisture.
Body, Arms, and Legs
- Avoid clothing that causes chafing.
- Opt for moisture-wicking fabrics to reduce skin irritation.
- Apply petroleum jelly to areas prone to rubbing against other body parts or clothing.
Understanding the Role of Friction in Blister Formation
Friction plays a significant role in the development of water blisters, particularly on the feet and hands. When skin repeatedly rubs against a surface, it can lead to separation between skin layers, allowing fluid to accumulate and form a blister.
How does friction cause blisters? The process typically involves three stages:
- Initial irritation: Repeated rubbing causes minor damage to the skin’s surface.
- Separation: Continued friction leads to separation between the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and the underlying layers.
- Fluid accumulation: The body responds by filling the separated area with fluid, creating a protective cushion.
Understanding this mechanism can help in developing more effective prevention strategies, particularly for athletes, hikers, and individuals whose activities or occupations put them at higher risk for friction-induced blisters.
The Impact of Moisture on Blister Formation
While friction is a primary cause of blisters, moisture can significantly exacerbate the problem. Wet or damp skin is more susceptible to friction damage and blister formation. This is why activities that cause excessive sweating or exposure to wet conditions often lead to blisters.
How Moisture Contributes to Blister Formation
- Softens skin, making it more vulnerable to damage
- Increases friction between skin and surfaces
- Can cause socks or clothing to stick to skin, increasing rubbing
- May lead to maceration, a condition where skin becomes overly soft and wrinkled
To combat moisture-related blisters, consider these strategies:
- Use moisture-wicking socks and clothing
- Apply antiperspirants to areas prone to excessive sweating
- Change wet socks or clothing as soon as possible
- Use foot powder or other moisture-absorbing products
The Role of Heat in Blister Development
Heat can be a significant factor in the formation of water blisters, both directly through burns and indirectly by increasing friction and moisture. Understanding the relationship between heat and blister formation can help in developing comprehensive prevention strategies.
Direct Heat-Induced Blisters
Burns from hot surfaces, liquids, or prolonged sun exposure can cause immediate blister formation. These blisters are the body’s way of protecting damaged skin and facilitating healing. To prevent heat-induced blisters:
- Use appropriate protective gear when handling hot objects
- Apply sunscreen and limit sun exposure
- Be cautious around hot surfaces, especially in summer months
Indirect Effects of Heat
Heat can also contribute to blister formation indirectly by:
- Increasing sweating, which leads to more moisture
- Causing skin to swell slightly, potentially increasing friction
- Making materials like shoes expand, potentially altering their fit
To mitigate these effects, consider:
- Using cooling products or techniques during hot weather
- Adjusting footwear or clothing fit for hot conditions
- Taking breaks to cool down during intense physical activities in heat
Innovations in Blister Prevention and Treatment
As our understanding of blister formation and treatment evolves, new products and techniques are continually being developed to prevent and manage water blisters more effectively.
Advanced Blister Prevention Products
- Specialised blister plasters: These products are designed to reduce friction and provide a protective barrier.
- Moisture-wicking fabrics: Innovative materials that efficiently move sweat away from the skin.
- Custom-fit insoles: Tailored to individual foot shapes to minimise friction points.
- Anti-friction balms and sticks: Applied directly to skin to reduce rubbing.
Emerging Treatment Methods
While traditional methods of blister care remain effective, new approaches are being explored:
- Hydrocolloid dressings: These advanced wound coverings can absorb fluid while maintaining a moist healing environment.
- Laser therapy: Some studies suggest low-level laser therapy may accelerate blister healing.
- Growth factor treatments: Topical applications of certain growth factors may promote faster healing.
It’s important to note that while these innovations show promise, more research is often needed to fully establish their effectiveness. Always consult with a healthcare professional before trying new treatment methods, especially for severe or recurring blisters.
Understanding the Body’s Healing Process for Water Blisters
The human body has a remarkable ability to heal itself, and this is particularly evident in the case of water blisters. Understanding the stages of healing can provide insight into why certain treatments are recommended and how to best support the natural healing process.
Stages of Blister Healing
- Inflammation: Immediately after blister formation, the area may become red and slightly swollen. This is the body’s initial response to injury.
- Fluid Absorption: Over time, the body begins to reabsorb the fluid inside the blister.
- New Skin Formation: As the fluid is absorbed, new skin cells begin to form underneath the blister.
- Drying and Flaking: The outer layer of skin covering the blister will dry out and eventually flake off.
How long does it take for a water blister to heal? The healing time can vary depending on the size and location of the blister, as well as individual factors. Generally, small blisters may heal within 3-7 days, while larger blisters can take up to two weeks or more.
Supporting the Healing Process
To facilitate optimal healing:
- Keep the area clean to prevent infection
- Avoid further friction or irritation to the affected area
- Use appropriate dressings to protect the blister while allowing it to breathe
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support overall skin health
By understanding and supporting the body’s natural healing process, you can ensure that water blisters resolve quickly and with minimal complications.
The Psychological Impact of Recurring Water Blisters
While water blisters are primarily a physical concern, frequent or severe blisters can have significant psychological effects, particularly for individuals whose lifestyles or occupations make them prone to blisters.
Potential Psychological Effects
- Anxiety about participating in activities that may cause blisters
- Frustration or disappointment when blisters interfere with hobbies or work
- Self-consciousness about the appearance of blisters, especially in visible areas
- Stress related to managing and treating recurring blisters
How can individuals cope with the psychological impact of recurring blisters? Consider these strategies:
- Focus on prevention techniques to reduce blister occurrence
- Develop a reliable treatment routine to manage blisters effectively
- Practice stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness or meditation
- Seek support from others who experience similar issues
- Consider professional counseling if blisters significantly impact quality of life
By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of water blisters, individuals can develop a more comprehensive approach to managing this common skin condition.
Blisters with Water: Causes, Treatment, Draining, Prevention
Blisters with Water: Causes, Treatment, Draining, Prevention
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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. D., MPH — By Scott Frothingham — Updated on May 5, 2023
Water blisters are fluid-filled sacs on your skin. They are relatively common and will usually heal on their own. If the blister is large or painful, you may want to consider draining it.
Referred to as vesicles (small blisters) and bullae (larger blisters), water blisters can have a variety of causes.
When the outer layer of your skin is damaged, your body sends blood to heal and cool the injured area.
Part of that process is the formation of protective pads comprised of blood serum (without the clotting agents and blood cells). These serum pads are water blisters.
Some common reasons water blisters occur are:
- friction
- burns from heat, chemicals, or the sun
- contact dermatitis
- eczema
- an allergic reaction
- poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac
- viral infections such as herpes, chickenpox, and shingles
- skin infections such as impetigo
- frostbite
Blisters will usually heal on their own with the skin over the blister helping to keep out infection while new skin is formed underneath and the fluid is absorbed.
To keep a blister clean and to protect it from friction, you can cover it with a bandage.
Contact your doctor if:
- the blister shows signs of infection such as pus, or the area around the blister becomes swollen, red, warm, or painful
- you develop a fever
- you have several blisters and you can’t identify what’s causing them
- you continue to see drainage after you’ve drained the blister
- you have poor circulation or diabetes
If your blister is large, painful, or likely to be aggravated and pop on its own, you might consider draining it.
To properly drain the fluid while leaving the top skin in place for shielding, there are specific steps you should take. These include:
- Wash the blister, the area around it, and your hands with warm water and soap.
- Use an absorbent pad to apply iodine to the blister and surrounding area.
- Wipe a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol to sterilize it.
- Aiming for spots near the blister’s edge, puncture it a few times with the needle.
- Allow the fluid to drain, while leaving the overlying skin in place.
- Spread the blister area with petroleum jelly or a similar ointment.
- Cover the blister with a non-stick gauze bandage.
Follow-up care
- Check for any signs of infection daily.
- After a few days, using small, sharp scissors and tweezers — wiped with rubbing alcohol to sterilize — cut away all the dead skin.
- Apply more ointment and cover the area with a bandage.
The general rule of blister prevention is to stay away from whatever caused the blister.
It’s overly simple, but it also makes sense: If you got blisters from getting a sunburn, spend less time in the sun (or wear more protective clothing and sunscreen).
For specific body parts, here are a few prevention tips to keep in mind:
Feet
- Wear shoes that fit properly.
- Wear moisture-wicking socks.
- Attach moleskin to the inside of your shoe where it rubs against your foot.
- Put powder in your socks just prior to putting them on.
Hands
- Wear gloves.
- Put powder in your gloves just prior to putting them on.
Body, arms, and legs
- Avoid wearing clothing thatcauses chafing.
- Wear moisture-wicking clothing.
- Apply petroleum jelly to areas that are rubbed by other body parts or clothing.
Water blisters are common and, if left alone, will typically heal on their own.
If a blister grows, becomes painful, or seems likely to be irritated, you might consider draining it using proper sterilization steps and bandaging the open wound. There are steps you can take to prevent blisters, including shoe, sock, and clothing choices.
If you can’t determine the origin of a blister, blister drainage continues after it’s been drained, or if a blister shows signs of infection, contact your doctor.
Last medically reviewed on October 12, 2018
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- 5 ways to avoid blisters and the best way to treat them. (2015).
health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-avoid-blisters-and-the-best-ways-treat-them/ - American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). How to prevent and treat blisters.
aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/injured-skin/blisters - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Blisters: First aid.
mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-blisters/basics/art-20056691 - U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016). Blisters.
medlineplus.gov/blisters.html
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
May 5, 2023
Written By
Scott Frothingham
Edited By
Claire Brocato
Oct 12, 2018
Medically Reviewed By
Alana Biggers, MD, MPH
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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. D., MPH — By Scott Frothingham — Updated on May 5, 2023
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Blisters – Injuries & first aid
Most blisters heal naturally and don’t require medical attention.
As new skin grows underneath the blister, your body slowly reabsorbs the fluid in the blister and the skin on top will dry and peel off.
When to seek medical help
See your GP if you have blisters that:
- you think are infected – an infected blister will be filled with yellow or green pus and may be painful, red and hot
- are very painful
- keep coming back
- are in unusual places, such as on your eyelids or inside your mouth
- are caused by severe sunburn, burns or scalds or an allergic reaction
Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat an infected blister.
If you have a large or painful blister, your GP may decide to decompress the blister under sterile conditions.
If your blisters are caused by a medical condition, such as chickenpox, herpes or impetigo, your GP will be able to advise you about how to treat the underlying condition.
Friction blisters
The unbroken skin over a blister provides a natural barrier to infection. It’s important that the skin remains intact to avoid infection.
As tempting as it may be, try not to pierce a blister with a needle because it could lead to an infection or slow down the healing process. Allow the skin to peel off on its own after the skin beneath has healed.
You may choose to cover small blisters with a plaster. Larger blisters can be covered with a gauze pad or dressing that can be taped in place.
Painful blisters, or those in positions where they’re likely to burst, such as on the sole of your foot, can be covered with a soft dressing to cushion and protect them. It may help to cut the dressing into a ‘doughnut’ shape to fit around the blister and avoid placing pressure directly on it.
Change the dressing daily and wash your hands before touching the blister to avoid infection.
Burst blisters
If a blister has burst, don’t peel off the dead skin on top of the blister. Allow the fluid inside to drain and wash it with mild soap and water. Cover the blister and the area around it with a dry, sterile dressing to protect it from infection until it heals.
Hydrocolloid dressings, available over the counter from pharmacies, have been shown to help prevent discomfort and encourage healing.
If the top layer of dead skin from a burst blister has already rubbed off, don’t pick at the edges of the remaining skin. Follow the advice above to protect it from infection.
If the blister is on your foot, avoid wearing the shoes that caused it, at least until it heals.
Blood blisters
Blood blisters should be left to heal naturally. If a blood blister bursts, keep the area clean and dry. Protect it with a sterile dressing to prevent infection.
Blood blisters are often painful. Applying an ice pack to the affected area immediately after the injury can help relieve the pain (a bag of frozen vegetables works just as well). Between 10 and 30 minutes should help.
To stop the ice touching your skin directly, place a towel over the affected area before applying the ice pack.
How to quickly remove excess fluid from the body?
Contents
The main causes of edema and fluid retention in the body
How to remove excess fluid from the body – ways
Normalization of nutrition
Fasting days
Physical exercises
Relaxing bathtubs
At least 2-2.5 liters of water should be consumed daily. However, many people notice that the fluid is retained, due to which body weight increases, swelling develops. By listening to the recommendations of experts on how to remove excess fluid from the body, it will be possible to solve the problem on your own. Getting rid of accumulated fluid at home is not a problem, because there are a large number of ways to remove water.
The main causes of edema and fluid retention in the body
There are specific reasons that provoke the accumulation of fluid in the human body:
- genetic predisposition;
- adversely affects the functioning of the lymphatic system violation of the water-salt balance;
- bad habits, consumption of a large amount of junk food and low mobility;
- injuries, heavy physical labor or sports;
- failure in hormones, provoked by diseases of the endocrine system;
- accumulation of lymph can be observed due to allergies and inflammation;
- water is retained in the tissues and interstitial spaces due to excessive consumption of diuretics;
- stressful situations, depression, anxiety.
According to experts, the main causes of water stagnation are diseases associated with problems in the functioning of the renal, cardiac and vascular systems.
How to remove excess fluid from the body – methods
It is important to understand that water retention is only a consequence of some pathological processes in the body. Using one of the effective methods, it will be possible to normalize the water balance in the tissues.
Power normalization
The rules of nutrition, which must be observed with edema and excess fluid, play an important role and are mandatory in a comprehensive recovery at home. Experts say that a high-quality diet, when the amount of lymph deviates from normal indicators upwards, is the key to eliminating excesses. In addition, systematic adherence to the basic principles of a healthy diet makes it possible to reduce the risk of water accumulation in the body.
Primarily at home, you should:
- normalize the drinking regime;
- reduce salt intake, as it provokes swelling.
To calculate the rate of water consumption per day, you can apply the following formula: weight (kg) x 0. 03 (if activity is high x 0.04) = amount of water (l). For example: Body weight 80 kg x 0.03 \u003d 2.4 liters is the normal amount of water per day.
It is necessary to exclude from the diet any unnatural food, which contains chemical elements that are harmful to the body. Should be removed from the diet:
- acute;
- smoked meats;
- greasy and fried foods.
It is necessary to remove foods with a high sugar content from the menu. Benefits will bring green tea and herbal drinks. Dietary nutrition with stagnation of lymphatic fluid provides for the complete rejection of alcohol.
The diet must include food with a high content of K, Mg. In the morning, it is right to consume food that contains predominantly complex carbohydrates.
Vegetable and fruit products that have a diuretic effect should be added to the menu. It will not only eliminate the accumulated water, but also enrich the cells with nutrients. You also need to consume more:
- green;
- cereals;
- fish dishes;
- fermented milk products.
The main thing to understand is that it is necessary to observe the time of consumption of food. Dinner should be at least 3 hours before the night’s rest.
There are certain products that remove excess fluid from the body and simultaneously supply useful substances and vitamins to the cells.
Simpler and more effective include:
- lemon;
- celery;
- beets;
- marrow;
- cranberry juice;
- parsley;
- oats;
- tomatoes;
- ginger;
- cucumber;
- watermelon;
- carrots.
In reasonable quantities, you can consume coffee and other caffeinated drinks that will affect the removal of excess fluid from the body.
Fasting days
It will be possible to remove the accumulated water from the body by short-term fasting. Fasting days are different: based on drinking or on mono-nutrition. For high-quality weight loss, it is important to drink at least 1 liter of clean water on a fasting day. Any suitable method of unloading should be carefully chosen, carried out at least once a week, trying to alternate a healthy diet.
Unloading on kefir: 1.5 liters of low-fat fermented milk drink per day will help to significantly reduce body weight, eliminate puffiness, and other manifestations of excess fluid.
Unloading day on pumpkin juice:
- will eliminate the accumulated water in the body;
- will provide vitamins.
The main thing is that pumpkin juice should be natural, it is better to take a freshly squeezed product.
Unloading should not be frequent, 1-2 days a week is enough.
Physical exercise
Physical methods for eliminating excess fluid from the body are actively used both independently and in combination with other therapeutic measures. To normalize the water-salt balance in the body, it is correct to practice any physical exercises in cycles:
- walk fast;
- run;
- swim;
- ride a bicycle, etc.
With active movement, muscle tissue increases the speed of the flow of lymphatic fluid, thereby increasing the excretion of stagnant water and slag substances from the body.
You can eliminate the liquid by using a set of such exercises:
- birch;
- bicycle;
- cat;
- skydiver rise.
To achieve a positive result from physical education, you need to gradually increase the duration and strength of the loads. These rules must not be violated, since an organism unprepared for sports can receive serious harm instead of the expected benefit. When choosing physical exercises, one should take into account the state of health, take into account the age criterion and the individual capabilities of the body.
If loads are contraindicated, to improve the movement of lymphatic fluid and the functional state of the body, experts advise using exercises that are easier to implement and require moderate muscle tension. Eg:
- toe walking;
- turns;
- slopes;
- raising legs from a lying position.
When performing exercises, you need to breathe deeply, do not hold the air. Inhale should be through the nose. Perform all movements while exhaling, and inhale the air, returning to the starting position.
Relax baths
An effective method of removing excess water is a hot bath, which alleviates the condition and improves the quality of life.
A popular procedure is using soda combined with sea salt. To prepare, you need to take a bath to half and dilute in it:
- 250 grams of soda;
- 500 grams of salt.
Water temperature should be within +37-39 0 C. It is necessary to stay in a therapeutic bath for no longer than a quarter of an hour.
If you want, you can increase the therapeutic result of this procedure by including about 20 drops of essential oil in the product:
- grapefruit;
- orange;
- geranium oil.
Essential compounds not only normalize metabolism at the cellular level, but also tone and rejuvenate the skin. And knowing which products remove excess fluid from the body, and combining them with other methods, you can quickly achieve a positive effect, relieve swelling, and lose weight.
Many techniques have been developed, but before using them, it is imperative to consult with a specialist.
How to remove excess fluid from the body
Likbez
Health
March 22
Both warm-ups and dietary changes can help.
How to understand that there is excess fluid in the body
The most noticeable sign of fluid retention is swelling. The face becomes puffy, the legs around the ankles become heavier and increase in volume, the rings dig into the fingers. But excess water can occur much earlier, even before the appearance of edema.
Harvard Medical School experts suggest focusing on weight. If you didn’t change your lifestyle, and the scales suddenly began to show plus 1–2 kg or more, most likely the reason is fluid retention.
Eldrin Lewis
MD, Cardiovascular Specialist.
Most people gain 3 to 7 kg of excess fluid before they first notice swelling in the legs or abdomen.
Why excess fluid accumulates in the body
Water retention can have various causes. Including natural and relatively harmless. For example:
- premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy in women;
- habit of eating very salty foods;
- prolonged immobility – for example, fluid accumulates in the lower limbs when you have to sit for many hours in an airplane or bus.
Puffiness can also be a side effect of certain medications. In particular, drugs that are prescribed for hypertension and diabetes, hormonal agents based on estrogen, steroids. Even ibuprofen and other NSAIDs sometimes lead to fluid retention.
But edema also makes itself felt in serious conditions, such as:
- chronic heart failure;
- kidney diseases;
- cirrhosis;
- chronic venous insufficiency;
- problems with the lymphatic system;
- prolonged protein deficiency.
Is it necessary to remove excess fluid
For healthy people, fluid retention is more of an aesthetic problem. Swelling caused by hormonal changes during PMS or eating herring at night usually goes away on its own within a maximum of a couple of days. Whether to speed up this process or “and so it will do” is up to you.
But if the swelling becomes regular, permanent, or appears against the background of already existing diseases – for example, cardiovascular disorders, you need to get rid of excess fluid. Otherwise, excess water will become an additional burden on the heart, kidneys, veins and worsen your condition.
When to see a doctor
Mayo Clinic, one of the largest research and medical centers in the world, lists warning signs. If you notice them, try to seek help as soon as possible.
- Sudden swelling accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, shallow breathing. This may be a sign of pulmonary edema or anaphylactic shock. With such symptoms, you need to act immediately. Dial 103 or 112.
- The skin over the swollen area has stretched to such an extent that it is shiny. Or, after pressing on the swollen area, a dimple remains there for a long time. With such signs, you need to consult a therapist and undergo the examinations prescribed by him.
- After sitting for a long time, the leg is swollen and sore, and this condition persists for a long time. This is how deep vein thrombosis can manifest itself. Contact a therapist, phlebologist or vascular surgeon.
It is also worth seeing your doctor if there are no dangerous signs, but fluid retention occurs against the background of some chronic disease. The doctor will conduct an examination, ask you about your well-being and recommend ways to get rid of puffiness.
How to remove excess fluid from the body
These methods are suitable for healthy people. But doctors often recommend them to patients with chronic diseases (be sure to consult a doctor before proceeding!).
1. Warm up
Fluid retention is often associated with circulatory problems. When the blood stagnates in a particular area, the pressure rises and moisture begins to be squeezed out through the walls of the vessels into the intercellular space. This is where she lingers.
To get rid of fluid retention, a light warm-up is sufficient. It will improve blood circulation and help the body remove excess moisture through the kidneys. Ask your therapist which exercises will be most effective and safe for you.
2. Gently massage
Using gentle pressure, stroke the swollen areas towards the heart. Such a massage will help remove excess fluid from the tissues, and then it will enter the bloodstream and be filtered by the kidneys.
3. Lie down with your legs elevated
Excess fluid often accumulates in the tissues of the legs – simply due to gravity, which complicates the blood flow in the veins of the lower extremities.
When you lie down and raise your legs above the level of your heart (for example, resting your ankles on a rolled up thick towel or cushion), universal gravity begins to work for you. The blood drains towards the heart, the pressure on the walls of the vessels decreases, the fluid from the tissues of the lower extremities returns to the bloodstream.
4. Go to a workout
Your task is to move so actively that you sweat. Studies show that on average, people lose from 0.5 to 2 liters of fluid per hour of training. The difference is associated with the individual characteristics of the organism, the degree of load, the ambient temperature and the chosen clothing.
In addition, during exercise, the muscles require more water and it comes to them from the surrounding tissues. So training can at the same time save you from visible puffiness.
5. Wear compression stockings or stockings
This is another way to improve circulation in your legs and get rid of fluid retention.
6. Take an over-the-counter diuretic
These drugs keep the kidneys active and help the body eliminate excess water.
Please note that diuretics have side effects. Therefore, they should be taken only after consulting a therapist.
7. Avoid salty foods
Salty foods make the body retain fluids. This is a physiological process.
The key element of common salt is sodium. In the fluids of the human body, there is always approximately the same amount of it. The concentration of dissolved sodium (and other electrolytes) is called osmolarity. For a person to remain healthy, it must be within certain, rather narrow limits.
Therefore, when a lot of salt enters the body, our body begins to retain water in order to dilute the excess sodium.
To avoid fluid retention, WHO recommends no more than 5 g of salt per day.
8. Eat foods high in potassium
The mineral has the ability to reduce sodium concentration. This will help the body get rid of excess water. How the process takes place, we described in detail.
The American Heart Association lists potassium-rich foods:
- leafy greens, such as spinach;
- peas;
- potatoes;
- mushrooms;
- bananas;
- avocado;
- tomatoes and tomato juice;
- citrus fruits, eg oranges, and their juice;
- plums, apricots, other stone fruits and their juice;
- raisins and dates;
- milk with a fat content of up to 1%;
- low-fat yoghurt;
- tuna and halibut.