Home Remedies for a Swollen Foot

Edema is the technical term for a swollen foot. The condition occurs when fluids become trapped in the tissue. The legs and feet are common places for swelling to occur. Edema is usually just a symptom of another condition and it can be effectively treated with home remedies. Get a checkup to determine the cause of the swelling before trying any home treatments.

Diet

Hypertension and excessive salt intake can be the cause of swollen feet. Follow a low sodium diet to help reduce swelling in the feet. Hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to heart attack and stroke. Swollen feet may be an indicator of this condition.
Avoid adding table salt to your meals and check the ingredient labels on processed foods that you consume. Normal intake of sodium should be in the 1500 to 2400 mg range. On a low sodium diet, you may only consume 1200 mg of sodium to reduce levels in the body.
Pay attention to the sodium in processed foods. It is used as a preservative in many of these foods and this can significantly increase your sodium levels.

Physical Activity

Increasing your physical activity can also relieve swelling in your foot. Simply walking every day is enough to improve the muscle function in the affected area, which will remove the fluid from the tissue. A 30-minute walk at least five times a week is a healthy level of exercise. With swollen feet, it may be difficult to reach the 30-minute goal. Walk as much as you can in the beginning and work your way up to 30 minutes. Start with just a few minutes a day if that is all you can handle.
Try to avoid standing on your feet in one place for long periods. This forces the fluids into the feet and contributes to swelling. Put your swollen feet up as much as possible. Elevation helps to force the fluid out of the affected tissue.
Massage your foot to force the fluid out. Your massage strokes should move toward the heart. Use firm pressure to remove swelling.

Support Garments and Shoes

The doctor may recommend that you use compression stockings to keep pressure on the limbs that are frequently swollen. The stockings help to keep the fluid from collecting in the foot.
Do not wear tight fitting shoes. This can trap the fluids in your feet causing them to swell. When trying on shoes, make sure that they are comfortable and not too tight. Later in the afternoon is the best time to try on new shoes.