How to combat swelling from heat?

[mshanson3121]

Do any of you struggle with swelling (especially in the ankles/feet) from the heat/walking at Disney? What do you do for it? Any way to prevent it?

 

[Lucius Best]

Compression socks, and legs-up-the-wall pose.

 

[bumbershoot]

Lots of water, and good nutrition during your trip.

 

[slaveone]

Limit salt wHere possible. Lots of water. Ankles feet up while sleeping.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We just got back from WDW a week ago, and I'm third trimester pregnant. Made for some uncomfortable foot and ankle swelling.

I made sure to sleep with my feet elevated at night. The bolsters in our room were good for that.

I also kept well hydrated. (Make sure to take advantage of the free cups of ice water at CS locations.)

I also took frequent breaks (inside the parks) when I put my feet up. The new "benches" around the hub at MK, for instance, were often empty during the day and provided a somewhat shaded area to rest. Other quiet areas I found included the walking trails at AK, the seating area behind the pagoda in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT, and the benches by France in EPCOT.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Limit the sodium (which is hard with WDW food) and tons of water.

Elevate feet at night or by the pool.

 

[kj2mom]

Definitely drink water, water, water - the more you drink the less you retain. In regards to the sleeping with your feet up, it can help to put something under the mattress to raise your feet, not just on top where things can shift during the night.

 

[mdb78]

Yup! Drink lots of water, try not to eat salty foods and when you're down, put your feet up!

 

[aaarcher86]

Soaking in the tub at night helped a lot!

 

[disney world dreamer]

-wear socks and sneakers (gives better support for feet and ankles than sandals and flip flops plus they are more restrictive which means your feet and ankles physically cannot swell beyond the confines of the socks and sneakers)
-put vapor rub on your feet (the menthol helps with swelling and pain. my feet literally do not get sore anymore ever since i started doing this back in 2009 after reading about it during my 2008 trip)
-take advil each morning and each evening (advil is often used to bring down swelling plus it helps with pain which is nice in case you get a leg ache or headache)
-drink water
-take some time to relax (even just sitting on a bench for 15 minutes can help. sure you aren't elevating your feet but you're also not putting all your weight on them)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Frogg Toggs. Google and be enlightened my child.

 

[minnie mum]

Keep hydrated, watch your salt intake, put your feet up whenever you get the chance, proper footwear. All good advice. I find that going for a soak in the hot tub at the end of the day, followed by a foot and lower leg massage with peppermint foot lotion helps a lot too.

 

[Aerinha]

I am a champion sweller and to some degree manage it. In the parks, Try to limit salt (no breakfast bacon for me) and drink lots of water which you should do in the heat anyway. Make sure you use the bathroom a lot...the water that causes the swelling has to come out. If you notice swelling starting, sit down, preferably somewhere cool. Time for the Ellen ride

Back at the hotel I try to stay off my feet. First thing I do is sit on the love seat and prop the, up on pillows (get them above your heart) until the swelling has visibly gone down. If they get too bad, I will run cool water in the tub and sit on the edge to soak them. Kiddie pool, assuming water isn't too warm, works too so long as it isn't full of splashing kids.

Do ankle circles and wiggle your toes to move the fluid around and out.

I would die wearing socks and closed shoes in the heat. Hot feet make my entire body hot and my feet still swell, and the shoes end up cutting in. Go for supportive sandals with good cushioning as some swelling is also due to abusing your feet with all the walking and standing.

 

[fairy8i8]

Ice helps a lot, also ibuprofen can be taken before hand to prevent or lessen the swelling. I went last year with a broken foot in a boot, and the heat from all the boot insulation was killer. Put your foot up in the parks on a chair or bench while you are sitting if you can. If it becomes painful, suck up your pride and get a wheel chair for a bit if you need it. (If you have a tireless husband like mine, he will push you and a kid on your lap - our 4 year old could go all day because he got to take breaks and sit on my lap in line sometimes.