An expert has issued a warning about a “nasty” symptom on the leg that could signal a number of potentially fatal diseases and conditions. According to Dr Dana Brems, pitting oedema is a “common” sign of heart and kidney issues.
Speaking on social media platform TikTok, the podiatrist explained more about the bizarre looking phenomenon.
She responded to another creator’s post in which they demonstrated their own experience with pitting oedema.
In their video they pressed down six times on their leg with their thumb, only for a clear indent to remain almost giving the appearance of holes in the leg.
Dr Brems, who is known online as Foot Doc Dana, said: “This is pitting oedema.
“Notice that when he presses, an indent remains right here.
“Now this is caused by a buildup of fluid and it could be from multiple reasons but the most common would be heart issues and kidney issues.”
To check if you have pitting oedema yourself, you can press in on your legs and ankles.
If the indent remains for longer than two seconds then it is cause for concern.
Heart failure and kidney disease are both known causes of pitting oedema, as stated by Dr Brems.
If your heart is too weak to pump blood around your body properly, fluid can build up in your tissues, including in the legs.
Pitting oedema can also be a result of kidney disease as the kidneys are struggling to get rid of water and salt from the body, causing fluids to build up.
However, there are several other serious causes of pitting oedema.
The Mayo Clinic in the US lists the following other issues as potential reasons for oedema:
Liver damage
“This liver damage from cirrhosis can cause fluid to build up in the stomach area and in the legs,” it says. “This fluid build-up in the stomach area is known as ascites.”
Damage to veins
“Damage to the valves allows blood to pool in the leg veins and causes swelling,” the clinic explains.
Blood clots
It says: “Sudden swelling in one leg with pain in the calf muscle can be due to a blood clot in one of the leg veins.” This requires medical help “right away”.
Lymphatic system damage
“Problems with the system in the body that clears extra fluid from tissues,” it says.
“If the body’s lymphatic system is damaged, such as by cancer surgery, the lymphatic system might not drain well.”
Lack of protein
The clinic adds: “Severe, long-term lack of protein. An extreme lack of protein in the diet over time can lead to oedema.”
If you experience unexplained oedema or pitting oedema you should speak to your GP.
