Introduction
Do your fingers and toes have swelling during winter? That’s, in fact, the most typical issue people face throughout the winter. It is sometimes referred to as ‘chilblain’ and consists mostly of skin irritation and puffiness brought on by chilly temperatures. Despite the fact that there are medications available to address the issue i.e., Edema, one may also attempt natural methods to ease discomfort.
Edema or oedema i.e. swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body’s tissues, is a problem that affects many people on a regular basis, especially during winters.
It can be caused by a number of things, including inflammation, a buildup of fluid in your tissues or organs, and dry skin. While some swelling may go away on its own, but chronic swelling has to be treated right away by a doctor.
Edema often affects the legs or feet, although it may also affect the face and the belly. Other causes include pregnancy, lifestyle choices, foot or ankle injuries, etc.
Let’s read about some simple remedies and to rid of swollen fingers and toes:
Simple remedies and get rid of swollen fingers and toes in winter
Keep yourself hydrated
Even though you might not want to drink much water during winters, edema (swollen fingers and toes) is a sign that your body is attempting to hang onto the water it already has and may indicate that you are dehydrated. Try to consume eight or more glasses of water every day, ideally ten if you can. Any fewer than eight glasses of liquid might aggravate ankle and foot edema.
Elevation
Check to see if you’ve been standing for a long time and if your feet and ankles start to swell. If you have, stop and relax by kicking your feet up. This will aid in reducing edema. Additionally, you can try a few yoga poses. Lie on your side on the mat, with your buttocks close to the wall’s surface. Turn onto your back and swing your legs up to rest against the wall. Pull your buttocks as close to the wall as possible. Stay in the pose for 5 to 10 minutes. This is one of the finest positions to adopt while trying to minimise edema.
Soak feet in marigold water
Take some marigold flowers and soak them in water and add some salt to this water. To minimise the swelling, now immerse your hands or toes in this water. Doing it regularly will heal the swelling.
Consume magnesium-rich foods (tofu, spinach, cashews)
According to doctors, edema and water retention might be symptoms of a magnesium deficit. If so, increasing your intake of foods high in magnesium may be a delicious fix for your painful issue.
High magnesium food sources include:
- seeds and nuts (almonds, cashews, flaxseed, peanuts and pumpkin seeds)
- Legume (black beans, lima beans) (black beans, lima beans)
- whole grains high in fibre (quinoa)
- dairy products with less fat (milk, yoghurt)
- Greens (spinach) (spinach)
- bitter chocolate
Regular foot massages
Massage can help reduce stress and be beneficial for swelling feet. Massage your feet with strong strokes and some pressure. This may aid in removing fluid from the region, easing down the swelling.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol consumption is one of the frequently disregarded factors that contribute to swollen feet. Alcohol use, especially in excess, has the potential to make people retain water in their bodies. People can experience edema in their feet as a result of this increased water retention. Avoiding alcohol consumption is one way to cure swollen fingers and toes.
Apply black pepper
A dash of black pepper powder may also be used after adequately heating the dish. Apply it to the swelling fingers and toes when it has cooled down.
Also read: Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes In Winter
Apply onion
Onion promotes healthier blood circulation due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial qualities. Apply the juice from a raw onion slice that has been thinly cut to the afflicted areas to rapidly relieve itching.
Final thoughts
Ankle and foot swelling is unusual. There is a cause if you notice that your lower extremities are edematous, or filled with fluid. It’s possible that you have high blood pressure, renal issues, are pregnant, or are even dehydrated but cold weather is also one of the reasons for swelling in the feet and toes.
Edema can affect any area of the body, however it most frequently affects the hands, arms, legs, and feet. Even while edema seldom hurts, it can nevertheless be unpleasant. It might make shoes start to pinch and make socks seem uncomfortably tight. The good news is that now there are methods you may use to treat edema at home if you are afflicted with it.
Written by: Anjali Sharma