Swollen feet in hot climates.

[information]

I have recently returned from Sri Lanka. I suffered very swollen feet & ankles, but last year when visiting the Dominican Republic, New York & Dubai, all of which were very hot & some humid, I didn't. Though the year before in Mexico I experienced the same painful swollen feet.
Is there anything I can do to prevent this, as I hope to be travelling again soon.

Many thanks,
Jersey, C.I.

[DTCwordfan]

taje your jersey off perhaps.

more seriously, this does affect older folk and especially those overweight so you may wish to shed some pounds before travelling to hotter climes. Exercise too.....

Do not restrict your fluid intake as this does you no good whatsoever.

This type of swelling is mainly due to widening of the blood vessels near the surface of the skin. This happens automatically in warm weather, as a way of the body trying to keep itself cool - as heat is lost through the skin.
The opposite happens in cold weather, which is why fingers and toes go red in warm weather, but go white iron cold winter days. It is also why the veins on your hands tend to be more noticeable in hot weather.
When there is more blood flowing through the tiny blood vessels some clear fluid - or lymph - does tend to leak out into the surrounding tissues, causing swelling, or oedema.



Read more: http://www.dailymail....ng.html#ixzz1qQcYhToC

[Sqad]

Difficult question and I am not sure that you should try and prevent them swelling.

What is the cause........probably a combination of long haul flights and hot climates.

On the plane......move about as much as possible and on land act as normal.

Not very helpful I know, but i cannot see that taking diuretics would help.

[arwyn]

inform I came to your thread as I get this in this Country, swelling from toes up to calves also my hands go like puddings, I'm not old and my B.M.I is normal, so I've no idea how to help myself.

[nungate]

As per previous advice keep up your fluid intake and wherever and whenever possible elevate your feet preferably higher than hip level. I always slip a pillow or cushion under the mattress at bedtime, I find this helps a lot.

[arwyn]

nungate is there anyway to stop it happening in the first place?

inform sorry i feel like I've took over your thead.

[sammmo]

My feet and ankles swell up after long flights..i find that walking up and down the cabin a few times and wiggling my feet around during the flight helps alot .. maybe ask your doctor for a water tablet .. once you get to your destination sit with your feet up as much as you can to reduce the swelling..

[nungate]

I don't think there is anything to be done to prevent it, it simply happens (well to me at least) though mine is exacerbated by some medication I have to take. I do all of the things in my previous answer and sometimes I can prevail upon best beloved's good nature and he will massage the swollen feet and lower legs with a gel I buy from Decleor (a skin care range) called Circulagel which really helps cool things down and is also available as a spray which you can spray on at any time. I just try to keep my feet and legs cool, and elevate when possible.

[arwyn]

nungate thank you I'll try that.

[DTCwordfan]

teases Nungate - cut back on the deep fried Mars Bars!