Edema: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026

In edema, leaking capillaries let fluid collect in the tissues, which can leave a dimple (pitting) when the skin is pressed.

Quick Answer: What is edema?

Edema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues, most common in the legs and feet. It can be harmless or a sign of heart failure or kidney disease. Shortness of breath, chest pain or an irregular heartbeat can signal life-threatening pulmonary edema. Mild cases respond to compression, elevation and less salt. [1] [2]

What the research says

According to PubMed:

• A common blood pressure medicine can cause swelling. A meta-analysis of 22 randomized, placebo-controlled trials with 7,226 patients found edema in 16.6% of people taking amlodipine versus 6.2% on placebo (risk ratio 2.9, 95% CI 2.50 to 3.36), with lower rates at 2.5 to 5 mg than at 10 mg. (Vukadinović et al., DOI).

• The medicine pairing matters. A network meta-analysis of 71 studies with 56,283 patients found nifedipine ranked highest for causing peripheral edema, amlodipine plus an ACE inhibitor reduced it the most, and nifedipine plus an angiotensin receptor blocker did not lessen it. (Liang et al., DOI).

• Adding a second diuretic for fluid overload is still uncertain. A living systematic review of 5 randomized trials with 1,050 people with acute heart failure found the evidence very uncertain for adding acetazolamide to loop diuretics for decongestion at 72 hours (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.44). (Schettino-Orellana et al., DOI).

Study details are from PubMed abstracts.

Key facts at a glance

Key fact	What to know
What it is	Swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues [1]
Where it shows up	Any part of the body, most often the legs and feet [1]
How it develops	Capillaries leak fluid into nearby tissues, causing swelling [1]
Pitting	Skin holds a dimple after being pressed for a few seconds [1]
Common mild causes	Sitting too long, too much salt, premenstrual changes, pregnancy, some medicines [1]
Serious causes	Congestive heart failure, kidney disease, liver damage (cirrhosis), blood clots, damaged lymph vessels [1]
Treatment	Compression garments, elevation, less salt; diuretics such as furosemide when needed [2]

What does edema feel like?

Edema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body. It is more likely to show up in the legs and feet.

The swelling of the foot, ankle, and leg can be bad enough to leave a dimple, also known as a pit, in the skin after pressing on the area. This pitting happens because there is so much fluid in the tissues. Congestive heart failure or a vein that is not working well (venous insufficiency) is often behind it.

Symptoms

Symptoms of edema include:

• Swelling or puffiness of the tissue right under the skin, especially in the legs or arms

• Stretched or shiny skin

• Skin that holds a dimple, called pitting, after being pressed for a few seconds

• Swelling of the belly (abdomen) so it is bigger than usual

• A feeling of leg heaviness

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment to see a healthcare professional for swelling, stretched or shiny skin, or skin that holds a dimple after being pressed.

See a healthcare professional right away for shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain. These can be signs of fluid buildup in the lungs, also known as pulmonary edema. It can be life-threatening and needs quick treatment.

After sitting for a long time, such as on a long flight, call your healthcare professional if you get leg pain and swelling that will not go away. Especially if the pain and swelling is on one side, these can be symptoms of a blood clot deep in the vein, also known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. DVT requires medical help right away.

What causes edema?

Edema occurs when tiny blood vessels in the body, also known as capillaries, leak fluid. The fluid builds up in nearby tissues, and the leak leads to swelling.

Common causes of edema, from everyday triggers such as sitting too long and too much salt to heart, kidney, liver, and blood clot problems.

Mild, everyday causes

• Sitting or staying in one position for too long

• Eating too much salty food

• Being premenstrual

• Being pregnant

Medicines that can cause edema

Edema also can be a side effect of some medicines. These include:

• High blood pressure medicines

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)

• Steroid medicines

• Estrogens

• Certain diabetes medicines called thiazolidinediones

• Medicines used to treat nerve pain

Edema as a sign of a serious condition

Sometimes edema can be a sign of a more serious condition. The table below summarizes the main illnesses that can cause edema and how each one creates swelling.

Condition	How it causes edema
Congestive heart failure	One or both lower chambers of the heart stop pumping blood well, so blood backs up in the legs, ankles, and feet; it can also cause swelling in the stomach area and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) [1]
Liver damage (cirrhosis)	Fluid builds up in the stomach area, called ascites, and in the legs [1]
Kidney disease	Fluid and salts build up in the blood; edema usually occurs in the legs and around the eyes [1]
Nephrotic syndrome (kidney damage)	Damage to the tiny filtering blood vessels in the kidneys lowers protein levels in the blood, leading to edema [1]
Chronic venous insufficiency	Damage to the one-way valves in leg veins lets blood pool in the leg veins and causes swelling [1]
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)	A blood clot in one of the leg veins causes sudden swelling in one leg with calf muscle pain; needs medical help right away [1]
Lymphatic system damage	Damage to the body's fluid-clearing system, such as from cancer surgery, means fluid does not drain well [1]
Severe lack of protein	An extreme lack of protein in the diet over time can lead to edema [1]

Risk factors

The following factors increase the risk of edema:

• Being pregnant

• Taking certain medicines

• Having a long-lasting illness, such as congestive heart failure or liver or kidney disease

• Having surgery that involves a lymph node

What happens if edema is left untreated?

If left untreated, edema can cause:

• Swelling that gets more and more painful

• Problems walking

• Stiffness

• Stretched skin, which can itch

• Increased risk of infection in the swollen area

• Scarring between layers of tissue

• Less blood flow

• Less ability of the arteries, veins, joints, and muscles to stretch

• Increased risk of skin ulcers

How edema is diagnosed

To understand the cause of your edema, a healthcare professional will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history. This might be enough to figure out the cause. Sometimes, diagnosis might require blood tests, ultrasound exams, vein studies, or others.

Treatment

Mild edema usually goes away on its own. Wearing compression garments and raising the affected arm or leg higher than the heart helps.

Medicines that help the body get rid of too much fluid through urine can treat worse forms of edema. One of the most common of these water pills, also known as diuretics, is furosemide (Lasix). A healthcare professional can decide about the need for water pills.

Treating the cause of the swelling is often the focus over time. If edema is a result of medicines, for example, a healthcare professional might change the dose or look for another medicine that does not cause edema.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The following steps may help decrease edema and keep it from coming back. Talk to your healthcare professional about which of these might help you.

Six ways to relieve edema: compression garments, staying active, raising the limb above the heart, gentle massage, protecting the skin, and reducing salt.

Use pressure. If edema affects an arm or leg, wearing compression stockings, sleeves, or gloves might help. These garments keep pressure on the limbs to prevent fluid from building up. They are usually worn after the swelling goes down, to help prevent more swelling. For pregnant people, wearing support stockings during air travel might help. A stocking butler, a small tool that helps you pull the stockings on, can be useful.

Move. Moving and using the muscles in the part of the body that is swollen, especially the legs, might help move fluid back toward the heart. A healthcare professional can talk about exercises that might lessen swelling.

Raise. Hold the swollen part of the body above the level of the heart several times a day. Sometimes, raising the swollen area during sleep can be helpful.

Massage. Stroking the affected area toward the heart using firm, but not painful, pressure might help move fluid out of that area.

Protect. Keep the swollen area clean and free from injury. Use lotion or cream. Dry, cracked skin is more open to scrapes, cuts, and infection. Always wear socks or shoes on the feet if that is where the swelling usually is.

Reduce salt. A healthcare professional can talk about limiting salt. Salt can increase fluid buildup and worsen edema.

Preparing for your appointment

Unless you are already seeing a specialist for a condition such as pregnancy, you will probably start by seeing your family healthcare professional.

Before the appointment, ask if there is anything you need to do to prepare; you might need to fast before certain tests. Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem like they have nothing to do with the reason for the visit, and note when they began. Make a list of your key medical information, such as other conditions you have, and list the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, including doses. Make a list of questions to ask. If swelling gets much worse at night, take pictures on your phone; it might help your healthcare professional see how bad it gets.

Questions to ask might include: What are the possible causes of my symptoms? What tests do I need, and how do I prepare for them? Is my condition long-lasting or temporary? What treatments, if any, do you recommend? I have other medical problems; how do I manage these conditions together? Do you have brochures or other printed material, and what websites do you recommend?

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask questions such as: Do your symptoms come and go, or are they always there? Have you had edema before? Are you short of breath? Does anything seem to make your symptoms better? Is there less swelling after a night's rest? Does anything make your symptoms worse? What kinds of foods do you regularly eat? Do you restrict salt and salty foods? Do you drink alcohol? Are you urinating as usual?

Conclusion and next steps

Most mild swelling in the legs and feet is harmless and goes away on its own, especially when you move more, raise your legs, and cut back on salt. But edema is also the body's way of pointing at something that may need attention: a medicine that needs adjusting, a vein that is struggling, or a heart, kidney, or liver problem that needs treatment.

The two things worth remembering are the warning signs. Shortness of breath, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat can mean fluid in the lungs, which is a medical emergency. And new leg pain and swelling after a long flight, especially on one side, can signal a blood clot that needs quick care.

Next steps: If you have persistent swelling, pitting skin, or stretched, shiny skin, schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional. Seek emergency care immediately for shortness of breath, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat, and call your healthcare professional for leg pain and swelling that will not go away after a long period of sitting.

Frequently asked questions

What is edema?

Edema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body, but it is most likely to show up in the legs and feet. Swelling can be bad enough to leave a dimple, called pitting, in the skin after pressing on the area for a few seconds. [1]

Is edema serious?

Not always. Mild edema has everyday causes such as sitting too long, eating too much salt, being premenstrual, or being pregnant, and it usually goes away on its own. But it can also be the result of a disease such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency, or cirrhosis of the liver, and those conditions need treatment too. [1]

What are the emergency warning signs of edema?

Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and chest pain can be signs of fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can be life-threatening and needs quick treatment. After a long period of sitting, such as a flight, new leg pain and swelling that will not go away, especially on one side, can signal a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) and needs prompt medical care. [1]

What medicines can cause edema?

Edema can be a side effect of high blood pressure medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, steroid medicines, estrogens, certain diabetes medicines called thiazolidinediones, and medicines used to treat nerve pain. If a medicine is causing your swelling, a healthcare professional might change the dose or switch to another medicine. [1] [2]

How is edema treated?

Mild edema usually goes away on its own, and wearing compression garments and raising the affected arm or leg higher than the heart helps. Water pills, also called diuretics, the most common being furosemide (Lasix), can treat worse forms of edema, though only a healthcare professional can decide whether they are needed. The long-term focus is treating the underlying cause of the swelling. [2]

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation.

References

1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Edema - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. May 21, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/symptoms-causes/syc-20366493

2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Edema - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. May 21, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20366532

3. Vukadinović D, Scholz SS, Messerli FH, et al. Peripheral edema and headache associated with amlodipine treatment: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials. J Hypertens. 2019;37(10):2093-2103. PMID 31107359. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000002145

4. Liang L, Kung JY, Mitchelmore B, et al. Comparative peripheral edema for dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers treatment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2022;24(5):536-554. PMID 35234349. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.14436

5. Schettino-Orellana F, Vega González F, Godoy Cofré I, et al. Effectiveness and safety of acetazolamide plus loop diuretics in acute congestive heart failure: a living systematic review, version 2026 1.0. Medwave. 2026;26(6):e3217. PMID 42531572. https://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2026.06.3217