Why do ankles swell in hot weather

If the swelling only affects one of your lower limbs and the area usually your calf is tender or warm to the touch, this could be a sign of a blood clot, more specifically deep-vein thrombosis.

This condition is very serious, so seek our help right away. If you develop persistent lower-leg swelling, regardless of temperature, and it affects both of your legs, this could be a sign of congestive heart failure.

This condition develops when the lower chambers of your heart are unable to pump blood efficiently, which allows blood to pool in your lower limbs. Other signs of congestive heart failure include swelling in your abdomen and shortness of breath. If these symptoms develop rapidly, please seek emergency help right away. Beyond heat and cardiovascular problems, there are other conditions that can lead to swelling in your lower legs, including cirrhosis, a malfunctioning lymphatic system, kidney disease, and even certain medications.

As they do, fluid can leak into the surrounding tissues. There are a number of individual risk factors that make a person more susceptible to their feet swelling in the heat.

These include:. Heat may cause swelling because it can temporary dilate widen the blood vessels, causing fluid to pool in the legs, feet, hands and fingers, according to the University of Michigan. This extra fluid can make your skin look tight and shiny. A sure sign you have edema is when an indentation remains after you press your finger into your swollen skin for several seconds. Heat edema is more likely to happen when you're not used to hotter temperatures, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Beyond that, the following things can cause edema or make it worse, according to the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic :. But even healthy, active folks may be at risk for heat-related swelling — especially swollen ankles and feet — if they have limited access to air-conditioning or do intense outdoor workouts in high heat.

To prevent heat-related swelling, avoid extreme temperatures as much as possible. Keeping cool can minimize the dilation of blood vessels and help prevent fluid from building up in the legs.

Follow these tips from Dr. Surprisingly, you really can eat your way to good foot health, even during the holidays. Some medical conditions, shoe styles, and even healthy sports can create foot conditions that affect your daily activities due to pain.