Pitting Edema

What Is Pitting Edema?

Pitting edema is when a swollen part of your body has a dimple (or pit) after you press it for a few seconds. It can be a sign of a serious health issue.

Pitting vs. Non-Pitting Edema

Edema (swelling) usually happens in your feet, ankles, or legs. But you also might notice it in your face, hands, arms, or other areas.

If you press your finger to a swollen area, it will usually bounce right back. If it leaves a dimple, you have what's called a pitting edema.

Symptoms of Pitting Edema

Many of the symptoms of pitting edema are similar to other types of edema. The symptoms will depend on what part of your body is swollen and may include:

• A full or heavy feeling
• Joints that may be hard to move
• Stretched, shiny, or reddened skin
• Warm or hot skin
• Dough-like skin
• Tenderness
• Trouble walking
• Fatigue

These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious health problem:

• Trouble breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Chest pain

Pitting Edema Causes and Risk Factors

Edema is caused by extra fluid in your tissues. This can happen for many reasons, including:

• Standing or sitting too long
• An allergic reaction
• Side effect of medicine, such as drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure meds, estrogen pills, or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen
• Pregnancy

For some people, pitting edema can be a sign of a more serious health issue, such as:

• Blood clot: One of these in a deep vein can cause edema in the region of the clot. This is called "deep vein thrombosis," or DVT. If a DVT is present in one leg, edema may be present in just one leg.
• Congestive heart failure: If your heart is too weak to pump blood around your body the way it should, fluid will build up in your tissues. Many people with heart problems get swelling in their legs.
• Kidney disease: It's your kidneys' job to get rid of extra salt and water from your body. If they aren't working right, you can get high blood pressure and pitting edema.
• Liver disease: If blood isn't flowing normally through your liver, edema can form in your lower legs.
• Lung disease: If the pressure in your heart or lungs gets too high because of a disease like emphysema, pitting edema can show up in your legs or feet.
• Vein problems: If your veins have trouble bringing blood back up from your feet to your heart, blood can pool in your feet and ankles. Extra fluid leaks out of your blood vessels and into nearby tissue.

Pitting edema can happen to anyone. But it’s more likely if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have other chronic illnesses like heart, kidney, or liver disease
• Have a traumatic injury
• Eat too much salt or processed food
• Take certain medications
• Are inactive, especially when it’s hot