Need Help with Swollen Foot

Does it happpen kind of randomly, or after an exposure to certain substances, say like after swimming all day? Any hives? THe reason I ask this is becasue I have a condition known as angioedema, and chronic idiopathic utricaria (hives). She needs to go see an allergist. THis will happen to me more with my forearms, and hands now that I am an adult, but as a kid I would get sweeling so bad that it would wind me up in the hospital. They can look like huge hives, or just generalized swelling, but swelling and itching on the bottom of the hands or feet, face, tongue/lips or eyes, are a typical way it presents. The reason I say get her to a doctor is that if it this she needs to be carrying an Epi Pen at all times, upon occasion the tongue or throat can swell leaving one unable to breath, also your uvula can swell blocking your air way. I don't mean to scare you, it's just that no one really knew what was wrong with me when I was a kid, and finally at 18 or 19 when my mouth and tongue swelled up so bad I couldn't breath and had to be intibated the docs were like I think is this and she should always carry this Epi Pen with her just in case. It's a simple blood test to see if it is hereditary, but even if it is aquired treatment is same. SOme people are put on a low dose antihistamine to keep symptoms down, I am on one but not for that, just my horrible hay fever LOL. There is no rhyme or reason to what or why or how it is casued. It is an allergic condition, not allergies. Ones body overreacts to a stimuli relasing mass amounts of histamine to surrounding deeper tissues than just your typical hives. If it is this she should also wear a medical braclet. Just to give you some reassurance, I have not had to use my Epi Pen in over ten years. I do have bouts with swelling, primarily my finngers, but that is usually when stress is at its worst. GO get her checked out, make sure to mention this condition, becasue a lot of docs, will just say it's some type of hive.

2 moms found this helpful

Sounds like she might have cellulitis, which is a localized blood infection. It can happen from any number of things, a small cut, a blister, a bug bite, even a bruise.
I would recommend taking her to a doctor to be sure. If it is cellulitis, it would need to be treated with antibiotics.

Good luck!!!!

Funny you mention this, my 3 year old's elbow was swollen and warm to the touch yesterday. I thought it was a bug bite, my husband took the blackberry picking the other day and they each had over 15 bites, and that was with spray used. Anywho.....my mother in law, who is old school, suggested putting some vinegar on a paper towel and holding it against the skin. My daughter said it burned a little, but let me tell ya, it is gone. Did it work, maybe?!?!
Good Luck
K.

if you seen it get a picture and take her to the dr asap

I know this sounds strange, but has she had strep throat in the past several months? My friend's child had this. The infection somehow spread to his joints and he had pain, swelling and redness. It can turn into rheumatic fever, which can be very serious. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatic-fever/DS00250
Not saying it's this, just raising the possibility. I would definitely have her evaluated by a pediatrician, and then on to a podiatrist if warranted. Good luck!

Gout!?! Since it is a joint it sounds logical. A diet change is necessary. Look it up a Mayo Clinic. Tell the doctor next time you go. There can be other things as well. Does a Walgreens in your area have a nurse clinic. They could diagnose it.

Take her to the podiatrist. It is likely from shoes like flip flops, but she may have some underlying tissue damage. A podiatrist would be the best person to assess it.

Swelling can be causes also by to much sugars and sweets in your diet. I know when I have to much my ankles and feet swell up and it hurts to walk. I think it almost like gout but usually goes away when I do a foot detox.
It could also be an allergic reaction to something that her skin comes in contact with when she is wearing sandals.

S.

Get that child to a Dr.!!! It sounds like it could be cellulitius (sp) which is a tissue infection. The "coming and going" is curious, but this can lead to blood poisoning. Watch for red streaks going up the foot or leg from the point of swelling. Have her soak it and elevate it, but definitely call the Dr! Sounds like she needs an antibiotic. I have unfortunately had extensive experience with this. My 10 year old son had this happen to him. Point of entry can be so small it is invisible to the eye. Most times they never find the source, but it must be treated as it can do permanent tissue damage.

Start with the Pediatrician immediately. These symptoms could be anything the other ladies have mentioned - could be circulation problems. Everything mentioned is nothing to wait on. Your Pediatrician can asses and refer you out to another doctor if needed. I agree with the picture taking of the foot so he can get a better idea of what you are describing.

C. T.

when you take her in, or even next time it happens ask her what she ate that day, what she was doing that day and maybe even what shoes she was wearing or socks. could be environmental but could be something else. I hope you solve it. maybe she could have something stuck in it, like a sliver that is festering, like my husband gets sometimes, a thorn or tiny sliver can do that too. it gets hard, red and puffy. also, don't let the doc just throw antibiotics unless they are sure it's a bacterial infection-and if your insurance allows it, skip the ped and go straight to a good dermatologist. I know a good one in Elk Grove in the Alexian Bros building. can't think of his name off top of my head but he helped me after another derma did not with an issue I had on my face.

You need to call the pediatrician's office today and tell them what is going on with your daughter's foot and how often is is happening. They will probably want her to be brought in. It could be nothing or it could be warning signs of a problem. Do not take chances with your child's health. Better it turn out to be nothing to woory about now, then down the road find out it was signs of a bigger problem. Call today.

Is it painful to touch her foot when it is swollen? Does she have pins and needles or how does the pain feel? I'm not sure on the warmth but I know that six years ago my knee and lower leg to my foot would turn blue and cold and hurt to even put a sheet across it. I went to shriner's children's hospital and was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I'm not saying that this is what she has because I know it to be the limb is cold not warm but I think it can be both. If you have any questions feel free to answer back to me and I will try to answer.

That is definitely an infection of some sort. She may have something in there. I would take her, next time it happens, to an urgent care or something so they can see it and help her. When I was younger, mine was from a bite I got and the poison that was in there. Nothing too serious, but did need doctor's attention. You may even consider just calling the doctor and explaining what is happening. They may want to see her.

i would take her to the doctor, it sounds like gout. good luck!

could be psoriasis. Itching, swelling, burning, comes and goes, starts out looking like little red dots and can spread and connect into large red and swollen blisters. It gets raw from the scratching. See a dermatologist. Mine saved my sanity.

I think somoeone already mentioned it, but I would take pictures when it happens, so that at least the doc has a good idea of what's you see when it's happening (since of course it looks fine by the time you get an appointment... lol). Either way though, you really should get it checked out at urgent care or with a podiatrist, since it seems to be an ongoing problem. Best of luck!

Hi G.,
I would take a picture of the affected area next time this happens, and mark on her leg with a marker the area of swelling and redness. Then get into the doctor that day, especially if it keeps happening. Could be something like cellulitis, not serious, but it may indicate there is something else going on with her too. Hope the doctor gets to see it in person. Good luck!

G.,

Even if it doesn't happen when the office is open, I'd still make an appointment and take her. It could be a bite and you just don't see the mark. Take pictures of it to take to the doctor. I'd be concered beause of the hardness and the warmth. Is there anyother discoloration? Does it happen after she's out side playing in the grass? it could be an alergic reaction to mosquitoes and maybe she doesn't realize she's been bit. I had that happen to a co worker and after each bite it would get worse, one time causing a few nights in the hospital. I don't mean to scare you but I'd get it checked out.

If you can't take her to the doctor's office immediately when it happens, then try going to an immediate care facility. Esp. if you have insurance that will cover it. Or take a picture of it, write down all the details, and make an appointment wtih the doctor ASAP.

Those are the symptoms of a blood clot. What's puzzling is that it comes and goes and I'm not sure if this is a symptom of having one or not. Itching can be a side effect of the inflamation also and not necessarily a bite. Regardless, I would have her see her doctor or take her to urgent care as soon as it starts up again.

Hi G. ,

Sorry to hear about your daughter . Im have been haveing the same issue . My GP told me that its because of wearing flip flops as my primary shoe in the summer , but wants me to see a foot dr to rule out anything else . Since I have been wearing better support sandals and gyms I have to say it doesnt happen as often . I would call her GP and get her in or better yet take her to a foot dr. It can never hurt .

I hope you find the answer's your looking 4

K.