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Swelling

Overview

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Swelling is an increase in the size or a change in the shape of an area of the body. Swelling can be caused by:

  • A collection of body fluid.
  • Growth of tissue.
  • Abnormal movement or position of tissue.

Most people will have swelling at some time. When it's hot and you've stood or sat in the same position for a long time, you might notice swelling in your feet and ankles, Opens dialog. Staying in one position for any length of time increases the risk that the lower legs, feet, or hands will swell. That's because gravity normally causes body fluid to move down a limb. Swelling can also be caused by heat-related problems. One example is heat edema, Opens dialog from working or being active in a hot environment.

Body fluid can collect in different tissue spaces of the body (localized swelling). Or it can affect the whole body (generalized swelling). Causes of localized swelling include:

  • Injury to a specific body area. Bruising, Opens dialog (hematoma) from an injury is caused by tears in the small blood vessels under the skin. Bleeding can also affect the joint (hemarthrosis) or the area that cushions and lubricates the joint (traumatic bursitis). Swelling can affect just one area. Or it may involve large sections of the body, such as swelling that occurs after a car crash.
  • Infection. It can occur in a joint or under the skin. An abscess, Opens dialog is a pocket of pus that forms at the site of infected tissue. Cellulitis, Opens dialog is a skin infection that can cause mild or severe swelling.
  • Burns. They can cause swelling at the site of the burn or in a larger area around the burn.
  • Inflammation, Opens dialog that occurs when tissue is irritated by overuse or repeated motion.
    • Swelling of the tendon and swelling caused by a series of small tears around a tendon (tendinosis) can occur together or on their own.
    • Swelling of the sac that cushions and lubricates the joint (bursitis) can be caused by prolonged or repeated pressure. It can also be caused by activities that require repeated twisting or rapid joint movements.
  • Insect bites or stings. Most insect bites or stings cause a small amount of redness or swelling. Some people have an allergic reaction, Opens dialog to a bite or sting. They have a lot of swelling, redness, and itching.
  • Other causes, such as swelling related to a sac-shaped structure with clear fluid, blood, or pus (cyst, Opens dialog). Or swelling may be from a swollen gland, such as a salivary gland, Opens dialog.

Causes of generalized swelling include:

Some people may have swelling as a reaction to a medical treatment, procedure, or surgery. Swelling from a medical treatment may be related to the procedure. Or it may be from a substance, such as dye, used during the procedure. Swelling may occur at an intravenous (I.V.), Opens dialog site used during a procedure or at an I.V. site used for medicines given at home. Some swelling at the site of surgery is normal, such as swelling of the arm after a mastectomy, Opens dialog. Lymphedema, Opens dialog is swelling that occurs in an area around lymph nodes that have been removed (such as after surgery) or injured (such as after radiation treatments).

Swelling can also be caused by the rise and fall of hormone levels within the body. Some women may notice swelling from retaining fluid during their menstrual cycles. This may be called cyclical edema, because it's related to the menstrual cycle. Some women have mild swelling in their hands or feet during pregnancy. Swelling in the feet may be more obvious in the third trimester, Opens dialog of the pregnancy. Generalized swelling can be a sign of a pregnancy-related problem called preeclampsia, Opens dialog.

Swelling can occur when tissues move out of their normal position, such as hernias, Opens dialog in the abdomen.

Most of the time, swelling is mild and goes away on its own. You may not even know what caused it. Home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve mild symptoms.

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Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

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