Affected Area Is Swollen
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Swollen area
About the Symptom
Swelling occurs when a part of the body increases in size.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- Edema
- Erythema
- Recent weight loss
Possible Causes
Generally, Affected area is swollen can be related to:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
An autoimmune disease caused by the body's immune system attacking organs and cells. The exact cause is unclear, but risk factors include being female, childbearing age, and heredity. SLE may involve nearly every organ system in the body with a wide range of potential symptoms that often wax and wane over time.
- Folliculitis, Furuncle, Carbuncle
Infection of hair follicles by bacteria or fungi. When more hair follicles are involved, they can merge under the skin to become carbuncles.
- Mastitis
Inflammation of the breast, caused by bacteria entering the milk ducts or by a duct becoming blocked. Good breastfeeding technique and avoiding pressure on the breast can help prevent it.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Insect Bite
- Testicular Tumor
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Affected area is swollen may be related to these serious diseases:
- Cellulitis / Erysipelas
A bacterial skin infection, cellulitis occurs when bacteria invade the skin through a tear, which can be caused by insect bites, wounds, or scratching. People with diabetes and weakened immune systems have a higher risk.
- Angioedema
- Septic Arthritis
- Perianal Abscess
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have swelling in the affected area?
- When did you first notice the swelling in the affected area?
Reviewed By:
Maxwell J. Nanes, DO (Emergency Medicine)
Dr Nanes received a doctorate from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete a residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There he trained at Froedtert Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in the practice of adult and pediatric emergency medicine. He was a chief resident and received numerous awards for teaching excellence during his time there. | | After residency he took a job at a community hospital where he and his colleagues worked through the toughest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Cast Pain? Why Your Limb Swells & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Swelling and some aching under a cast are common in the first 24 to 72 hours and often improve with elevation above heart level, gentle finger or toe motion, icing around the cast, and doctor-directed pain medicine. There are several factors to consider, and the complete, medically approved steps and timelines are explained below. Get urgent care if pain is severe or not relieved by elevation, or if you notice numbness or tingling, pale or blue digits, coldness, inability to move them, extreme tightness, or fever and foul odor, since these can signal dangerous pressure such as compartment syndrome; see the full guidance below to choose the safest next step.
References:
* Mudd, L. M., & Zide, J. (2021). Principles of Cast and Splint Care in Orthopaedic Practice. *Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine*, *14*(1), 29–37.
* Noor, A., & Noori, S. A. (2018). Common Complications of Casting and Splinting. *Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons*, *26*(2), 98–107.
* Pons, T., Saucisses, F., & Gicquel, P. (2018). Compartment syndrome after cast application: a review of the literature. *Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research*, *104*(4), 539–544.
* Manoli, A., 2nd, & Smith, D. G. (2016). Post-traumatic Edema Management: A Review of Techniques. *Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research*, *474*(12), 2726–2736.
* Clements, N., & O'Hara, N. (2020). Early postoperative swelling in limb injuries: a review. *Trauma Case Reports*, *27*, 100297.
Q.
Swollen? How Diuretics Work and Your Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Diuretics reduce swelling by helping your kidneys excrete extra salt so water follows into urine, easing edema and sometimes blood pressure; they are most appropriate when fluid buildup is from heart, kidney, or liver disease and they treat symptoms rather than the root cause. Not all swelling needs a diuretic and using one without guidance can be risky. There are several factors to consider, including urgent warning signs like shortness of breath or one-sided leg swelling, and safe first steps like elevation, lowering salt, reviewing medications, and talking to a doctor before any water pills; for full medically approved next steps and when to seek urgent care, see below.
References:
* Wingo, C. S., & Gann, M. A. (2018). The Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Diuretics. *Seminars in Nephrology*, *38*(4), 304–318.
* Ellison, D. H., & Rutecki, G. W. (2019). Diuretic Resistance in Edema States. *New England Journal of Medicine*, *381*(12), 1148–1157.
* Felker, G. M. (2016). Loop Diuretics in Heart Failure. *Heart Failure Clinics*, *12*(2), 209–218.
* Verbrugge, F. H., & Mullens, W. (2018). Management of volume overload in heart failure: balancing decongestion with clinical outcome. *European Journal of Heart Failure*, *20*(4), 609–618.
* Shrimanker, I., & Bhattarai, S. (2023). Loop Diuretics. In *StatPearls*. StatPearls Publishing.
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