What Is Pitting Edema?

What is pitting edema? Pitting edema is a type of swelling in the body that develops usually on the lower limbs. The excess fluid which cannot properly regulate in your body causes the swelling. The accumulation happens often in lower body including the legs, feet, and ankles.

Pitting edema can be brought on by a localized issue with the veins in the affected area. Other times it can be brought on by a larger issue, such as problems affecting the function of the heart, kidneys, or liver. Non-pitting edema on the other hand is more likely to be brought on by problems with your thyroid or lymphatic system. 

Pitting vs Non-Pitting Edema

Non-pitting edema is the name for the accumulation of extra fluid in soft tissues that causes swelling. It can affect any part of the body and generally affects the feet, ankles, or legs. However, it can also happen in the hands, arms, face, or other places.

Meanwhile, pitting edema is called as such because when your finger presses on the swollen place, it leaves a dimple instead of returning to normal. Moreover, it is often limited to certain body parts, such as the lower or upper limbs.

Pitting edema responds to pressure, whether it comes from a hand or a finger, whereas non-pitting edema does not. Additionally, non-pitting edema, which typically affects the limbs and is frequently caused by underlying medical disorders that disrupt the lymphatic system’s function, arises when too much fluid accumulates in the body. This eventually causes swelling that does not indent when pressure is applied.

Symptoms of Pitting Edema

Many of the symptoms of pitting edema are similar to other types of edema. And the symptoms depend on what part of your body is affected.

Most notable symptoms include:

• Heaviness or fullness
• Joints that could be challenging to move
• Stretched, shiny, or glowing skin
• Warm or hot skin
• Tenderness
• Having trouble walking
• Fatigue

These signs and symptoms could point to a more serious health issue:

• Having trouble breathing
• Coughing
• Chest pain

Causes and Risk Factors

Pitting edema is frequently brought on by poor circulation or the retention of too much fluid. Some common risk factors that may exacerbate these issues include prolonged sitting or standing, low protein intake, obesity, and pregnancy. 

Edema can occur for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Extended sitting or standing
• An allergic reaction
• A negative side effect of a drug, like ibuprofen or over-the-counter analgesics for diabetes, high blood pressure, or estrogen.
• Pregnancy

Anyone can develop pitting edema. However, your risk increases if you are or have one of the following below:

• Pregnant
• Chronic illnesses including hepatic, renal, or heart disorders
• Serious injury
• Eating processed foods or salt in excess
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Using specific medications such as antihypertensive drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids
• Stressed. It can tighten muscles and limit flexibility, as well as increase sweating and induce swelling in the lower limbs.

Possible Underlying Conditions

Pitting edema may indicate a more serious health condition in some, such as:

• Deep vein thrombosis. A blood clot that has developed in a deep vein and is causing swelling.
• Congestive heart failure. Many people with heart problems experience leg edema due to heart’s inability to pump blood throughout the body properly.
• Kidney issue. Your kidneys’ job is to rid your body of excess salt and water. If they aren’t working properly, you may develop high blood pressure and pitting edema.
• Liver disease. If blood does not flow consistently through your liver, edema may form in your lower legs.
• Pulmonary disease: If the pressure in your heart or lungs becomes too high owing to a condition like emphysema, pitting edema may appear in your legs or feet.
• Venous issues. Blood may collect in your ankles and feet if your veins are having problems carrying it back to your heart. It may also cause more fluid to flow into nearby tissue from your blood vessels.

Identifying Pitting Edema

Your healthcare provider will test an area of your body for edema by gently pressing a finger on a swollen area for five to 15 seconds (pitting test). After they release pressure, if a dimple (pit) appears in your skin then you have pitting edema.

Its management includes several components such as:

When Is It A Sign of AMedical Emergency

Seek immediate assistance for pitting edema if you have chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, have trouble breathing, or experience dizziness, confusion, or fainting. These are signs that you might have a serious heart problem or a blood clot in your lungs.

Seek medical care immediately if your edema worsens, becomes painful, or is new. You must also watch out for chest pain or difficulty of breathing.

Key Takeaway

Pitting edema is a common symptom that, by itself, is typically not cause for concern.  However, many underlying conditions call for treatment, oftentimes urgently. Edema shouldn’t result in any long-term complications, and many people find lasting relief from the symptom after working with a doctor. The treatment for your edema will depend on the cause. 

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