When Should I Be Worried About Sock Marks Reddit - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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Sock marks can appear on the legs due to a variety of causes, which range in severity.

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Water retention

Water retention can cause a person’s socks to leave marks on their legs.

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Swelling that is the result of water retention is generally benign. It can cause general puffiness or swelling in the hands, feet, or face.

This symptom can occur when a person has been standing or sitting for too long. It can also happen during menstruation.

A person does not typically need to seek treatment for water retention because it will go away on its own.

Learn more about water retention here.

During pregnancy

The Office on Women’s Health note that while some swelling is common in pregnancy, it can sometimes be a sign of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and after a person has given birth.

A person who is pregnant and experiencing swelling should talk with their doctor.

Learn more about preeclampsia here.

Venous insufficiency

This condition can cause swelling in the feet and ankles.

Venous insufficiency means that the veins have difficulty transporting the blood to the feet and back to the heart. As a result, the blood collects in the legs, forcing fluid out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissues.

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Venous insufficiency is the most common cause of peripheral edema in those over the age of 50 years.

Learn more about venous insufficiency here.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are veins that are swollen and enlarged. They typically occur on the feet and legs.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), other symptoms include:

swollen ankles and feet
burning and throbbing in the legs
legs that ache or feel heavy
muscle cramps in the legs, especially during sleep
dry and itchy skin over the vein

Learn more about varicose veins here.

Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly.

As a result, the blood flow out of the heart slows down, and blood accumulates in the veins. This buildup causes fluid to seep into the surrounding tissue, which causes swelling.

The swelling can affect the legs and abdomen.

Other symptoms include:

shortness of breath
fatigue
swollen legs and ankles

Learn more about congestive heart failure here.

Kidney disease

The National Kidney Foundation note that more than 37 million people in the United States have kidney disease, with many of them being unaware.

Kidney disease can cause a person to experience swelling in the legs and around the eyes.

This swelling occurs because the kidneys are unable to remove sodium and water from the body effectively.

Learn more about chronic kidney disease here.

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Liver disease

Cirrhosis is the term for scarring of the liver. It can occur as a result of various liver conditions.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases note that many people may not be aware that they have cirrhosis. The reason for this is that they may not experience symptoms until the liver is badly damaged.

Those who do have early symptoms may experience:

fatigue
weakness
low appetite
unexplained weight loss
nausea
vomiting
mild discomfort or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen

As liver function worsens, a person can experience swelling in the lower legs, ankles, and feet.

Learn more about cirrhosis here.

Lung conditions

Lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can cause a person to experience swelling in the legs and feet. This symptom can occur when the pressure in the lungs and heart becomes very high.

However, the NHS note that this is a less common symptom and that it can be a sign that COPD has reached an advanced stage.

Learn more about COPD here.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that occurs when the lymphatic system becomes damaged. Healthcare professionals can recognize the condition due to the collection of lymphatic fluid in the body.

Swelling can occur anywhere, but it mostly affects the: