Puffy, swollen feet and ankles

[WigWamBam]

My feet and ankles look like a couple of balloons, they're really puffy and swollen. On the top of my foot, where it bends, I've also got a couple of red marks that look at bit like wine splashes that I've never had before.

I have an appointment with the GP but not until the end of next week, and I just wondered if anyone had any ideas what it might be caused by, and whether it's worth trying to bring the appointment forward.

Oh, and I'm not pregnant, before anyone asks ...

[LadySherlockofLGJ]

It sounds like fluid retention, you are not breathless are you ??

[WigWamBam]

No, not breathless.

[LadySherlockofLGJ]

I would try and bring the appointment forward.


Did you do anything different at the weekend ??

[WigWamBam]

The skin's really tight, feels like my feet are about to burst. They look and feel like sponges, and if I press my finger into them the mark stays there for ages.

[hotmama1]

I always get puffy feet and ankles in the summer because in the heat and was worse when pregnant.

Are you (how do I put it - a larger lady?) I always found I puffed up more when I was bigger IYSWIM. Not sure about the red stains though - may want to get it checked out - could be an allergy? If can't get into docs I would ring NHS Direct. HTH

[WigWamBam]

No, didn't do anything different - less walking, I suppose, because not walking dd to school, which I would have thought would have meant they were less likely to be puffy.

[WigWamBam]

I'm overweight, hotmama, I have been for years but it's never affected my feet.

[zippitippitoes]

It sounds like circulation possibly are the red marks varicose veins, do they itch any signs of excema flaky skin, have you been tested for diabetes and have you drunk more than usual of alcohol?

[kcemum]

Do the red marks feel warm to the touch, are they/have they got bigger? Do you have a temperature?

[WigWamBam]

Zippi, the red marks aren't itchy or flaky. They're on the surface and don't look like veins, they look a little bit like the stork bites that babies get - I have a small birthmark on one of my feet and they look similar to that. I don't drink alcohol at all and had a clear glucose tolerance test about three months ago.

[WigWamBam]

No temperature and the marks aren't hot.

[zippitippitoes]

I've had this and put it down to either hormone imbalance or allergy, not much help I'm afraid (but i do have poor circulation)

[WigWamBam]

I wondered about circulation myself. I've had puffy ankles in the past but not as bad as this. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about but just wondered what it might be.

It's my new party piece actually; if I put one foot on top of the other for a couple of minutes I can make all sorts of shapes, just like play-doh. It's really odd!

[AlmostAChristmasAngel]

ooh hope its better soon //[[[[[[[[hugs]]]]]]]

[zippitippitoes]

It can be a sign of heart failure which i guess is in itself connected vascular problems, it may well be that you've walked less and fluid is pooling in your feet

[WigWamBam]

I'm healthy otherwise, apart from being overweight, so I shan't be banging the GP's door down yelling about heart failure!

I might try and get the appointment moved though, see what he says.

[kcemum]

I think I would try and bring your appointment forward. If you develope shortness of breath, chest pains, pains in the calves etc then would advise that you ring Nhs re-direct.

[WigWamBam]

Yes, I'll do that.

Thank you.

[noddyholder]

Kidnet problems can also do that Don't leave it get it checked sooner rather than later.