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I have had itching and some swelling ar9ound both ankles for over a month especially when I wear anklets. What could the problem be?
Optional Information: Gender: FemaleAge: over 65 Already Tried: Wear anlets without elastic, more mosteurizer, eliminate clothing sotener sheets in the dryer.
DearCustomer
I have already sent an info request for this question on the previous one. Please continue that thread.
Thanks.
I did not receive an answer to the question. I hope I was not billed twice. Please respons again. Virginia
No, you will not be billed unless you accept the answer.
I sent you a response on the earlier question, however, I shall post it on this thread again.
Hi.Welcome to JustAnswer. I shall try my best to assist you while you are corresponding with me. Please answer a few questions so that I can help you better.
Q. Any rash around the ankles?
Q. Do you have any medical conditions/
Q. Are you on any medications?
Q. Are you allergic to anything?
Q. Do you have varicose veins?
Q. Do you need to stand or walk for long hours?
Q. When does the swelling appear, in the morning, at night or can appear at anytime?
Q. How does it go away?
1. No rash
2. I have osteoarthritis
3.I take pravachol for genetic cholesterol problems, protonix for a former ulcer due to a mendication, seasonal allergies (xyzan), and vitamins and minerals. Have taken these for some years.
4. I am allergic to all narcotics, pentothal, salmon
5. No varicose veins
6. Swelling only appears when I wear the anklets and then I notice it by the time I remove them. Today I did not wear them and have not been standing much so ther is no swelling. Not at night or early morning usually by the time I come home from work.
7.When I am home and not onmy feet so much and dressed casually.
Thanks for the details and the patience.
You seem to have Pedal Edema. This occurs as you have mentioned when there is tight grip around your ankles and also when you come home after a long day of work.
And subsides when you are relaxing and not on your feet. Pedal Edema can be caused due to many underlying diseases, such as, (narrowed down to the most probable in your case)
1. Heart Disease
2. Obsesity3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
4. Lyphedema5. Pretibial Myxedema6. Renal Disease (BUN/Creat)7. Hypoalbuminemia8. Hepatic Disease9. Nephrotic Syndrome10. Throid Disorder (hypothyroidism)11. Peripheral Arterial Disease
12. Peripheral Venous Disease
Sometimes pedal edema can occur without an underlying cause due to retention of fluid in the feet due to long standing and lack of rest.
None the less, you need to get as a comprehensive review and see a Physician to rule out potentially dangerous causes of the swelling.
What you can do in the mean while is, keep your feet elevated while you are at home to atleast 30 degrees while sitting down or lying in bed.
You can massage your ankles and feet with vaseline or other moisturizer.
Do not sit with your legs suspended vertically downwards.
Hope this helps.
-Regards.
Thank you. I saw my a physician yesterday who is substituting for my physician who passed away. He was not at all alarmed because I am generally in good health and he simply said to use a heavier moistuerizer but I was not satisfied with the answer I just had blood work done routinely when I am on pravachol. All of my chemistry was normal. My heart has always been fine and I thought it might be due to an allergy that developed from the elastic or the dryer sheets that have a lot of chemicals in them. Did you consider this?
Yes, allergic reactions can cause itching and swelling around any part of the body that is why I asked you if you had any known allergies. But allergies are usually accompanied by a rash also.
You can try to discontinue using the chemicals and/or sheets that you think are causing the allergy and if the swelling goes away then it will be confirmed as the possible trigger to the swelling and the itching.
If you are in good health and are seeing a physician routinely then it is probably due to the activity level and work related. I suggest that you take some rest and take good care of your feet and continue with the massages and moisturizing, as a good massage is the best cure for foot swellings due to this cause.
Warm regards.
If the swelling continues , do you suggest that I go to another physician possibly my dermatologist may have some input. what do you think?
Foot swellings do not come under the domain of a Dermatologist. They usually deal with rashes and ulcers on the feet.
I suggest that you go to an Internist, who would be able to exclude all the organic causes related to foot swellings.
Experience: MBBS, FCPS (R) General Surgery. Years of experience in Emergency Medicine.