Can hot and cold gel pack applications help ease foot swelling and pain?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old female. I have had pain, swelling, and soreness in my right foot for the past three days. I used to go to work by bike but stopped and I have no other medical problems. What could this be?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. Since you do not have any medical problems and the problem is in one foot, this is more like a generalized condition rather than some disease. I suggest you do the following

Take some lukewarm water, and add some amount of salt and a pinch of turmeric to it. Put your swollen foot in it. Do it twice daily.
Do not sit for a prolonged time with your foot dropped down. If you have to sit for a long time then keep a small table or something else below your foot.
Do not stand for a prolonged time.
Use a pillow below the foot while sleeping.
If you are already using ice packs for swelling then keep on using them, but have a time gap of one to two hours between them.
Lukewarm water sponging can be done once a day and can use ice packs for the rest of the day.
Try all these things regularly and within one to two days you will start getting relief. In case swelling or pain increases or some other problem occurs then do consult a nearby physician for a physical examination.

Thank you.