Pregnancy is often accompanied by swelling of the limbs and lower torso. In light of the fact that the girl is pregnant and cannot use any medications, her choice among various ointments, creams and other drugs is limited. Swelling of the hands and body is most often pathogenic in nature and has additional symptoms (such as the presence of protein in the urine, headaches, and others). However, swelling of the lower extremities for pregnant women is often not an alarming signal, but only indicates fluid retention as a result of an increased overall load on the body, and the kidneys in particular. A cream for leg swelling during pregnancy must be chosen responsibly, and it should consist only of natural ingredients.
Required composition of cream for leg swelling during pregnancy
Creams, gels and other products aimed at relieving swelling have a unique composition. Some components show particular effectiveness:
- Menthol. Ointments containing this substance will not only relieve swelling on the legs, but will also have a cooling, soothing effect. This is especially useful when swelling is caused by physical activity,
- Oils. They have a moisturizing effect and in addition contain a considerable amount of various minerals and vitamins. A foot cream for pregnant women containing the following oils will be especially effective: Shea Tree, Olive, Jojoba, Almond.
- Horse chestnut extract. One of the most effective components in modern medicine against edema during pregnancy. This is not just an effective reagent; in this situation, it is important that any medications are harmless not only for the expectant mother, but also for the baby. Horse chestnut is just such a substance; almost any modern gel or ointment for swelling of the legs contains it,
- Auxiliary vitamins and minerals. It is important not only to get rid of swelling, but also to have a healing effect on the damaged area,
- If the cream contains hazel extract, this will also help get rid of swelling on the lower extremities.
What is included in the cooling gel?
The cooling effect on the skin is achieved by adding special components to the composition, such as mint, menthol and citrus extracts. Menthol also has a pain-relieving effect, which helps after a whole day spent in heels.
Most manufacturers also add deodorizing additives to their gels to remove unpleasant odors, as well as caring components so that the cream also softens the skin of the legs and feet. Often, herbal ingredients are added to medicinal creams and gels, which help in the fight against varicose veins, strengthening the walls of blood vessels. These are, for example, arnica, chestnut, sesame.
Recommendations for purchasing gel for leg swelling during pregnancy, what should you choose?
When choosing any medications, a pregnant girl should remember that they must be safe not only for her, but also for the fetus. Before using any cream for swelling of the legs, follow a number of the following recommendations:
- Make sure that the drug contains any of the components that were indicated just above,
- Avoid synthetic and any other artificial reagents. The composition of the gel must be completely natural in order to avoid possible complications,
- Balms and other products must be intended specifically for pregnant women (this is indicated on the packaging),
- Do not buy the drug in an untrusted place; make purchases in specialized stores or pharmacies. Without undergoing dermatological control and clinical studies, such a remedy will not help cope with swelling, and may also cause a number of complications, provoke an allergic reaction (rash, itching, redness of the skin),
- Make sure that the chosen foot cream for pregnant women will help specifically in your case. The causes of this disease can be quite varied; a doctor must determine them. He will not only establish the root cause, but also prescribe the necessary course of treatment with ointments and creams,
- Essential oils with strong, strong odors can cause unwanted reactions in the body. Gel for leg swelling during pregnancy should not contain the following oils: lavender, wormwood, thyme, basil, ginger,
- It is not recommended to use drugs at too low a price. Well-known brands not only cost a little more, but also use higher quality raw materials,
- Do not neglect the consultation of your treating specialist. He will tell you how best to deal with swelling of the foot or the entire leg. After all, the main thing in treatment is the effectiveness and safety of the expectant mother and baby.
Necessary additional characteristics of the cream for leg swelling during pregnancy:
- Analgesic properties,
- Cooling effect
- The ability to help remove excess fluid from the intercellular space,
- Tone blood vessels
- Improve blood circulation.
Very often, a remedy is chosen that not only helps fight swelling, but also prevents varicose veins. This is also one of the common everyday problems for pregnant women.
Directions for use and doses
Cooling foot creams are used exclusively externally, avoiding contact with the eyes, mouth, mucous membranes, and damaged skin.
It is recommended to apply the product by hand to a previously cleaned and dry area of the legs (feet). Massage starts from the bottom and ends near the knee or mid-thigh. Basically, the procedure is carried out before bedtime, however, many products can be used at any time of the day.
Gels are absorbed faster due to their light consistency, leaving no marks on the skin.
Causes of swelling
Leg problems in pregnant women are quite common. Edema appears due to stagnation and accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues, against the background of which fatigue and heaviness in the legs often occur. Because of this inconvenience, it becomes problematic to put on shoes and do other usual things. You can check for swelling by pressing on the problem area; if a hole remains within 15-30 seconds, then you should choose and use an ointment for leg swelling during pregnancy.
Most often this occurs due to fatigue, poor nutrition, eating large amounts of salty or spicy foods, and lack of fluid.
How to use it correctly
To achieve the maximum effect that cooling foot gel will give, it must be used correctly. If you have time, after work or upon returning home, take a relaxing foot bath and scrub your heels. If you don’t have time, just rinse your feet with cool water from the shower and dry your feet thoroughly so that no moisture remains on them. Don't skip the areas between your fingers either.
Next, apply the gel to dry and clean skin with massage movements. Apply it all over your feet from toes and heels to calves. It is advisable to sit or lie down for a while so that the gel is absorbed, all the components begin to act, and you can simply enjoy the pleasant, relaxing coolness.
My baby
Constant aching pain in the legs, especially after prolonged standing or walking, is usually associated with varicose veins of the lower extremities . Weakness of the vascular wall of the vein is inherited. During pregnancy, the increasing volume of blood, the relaxing effect of progesterone and relaxin on the walls of blood vessels, and the pressure of the uterus on the pelvic veins only aggravate the problem. As a result, the veins dilate and lengthen, and the valves of the vessels, which normally prevent the reverse flow of blood, cannot cope with this task. All this leads to stagnation of blood in the legs, slowing down blood flow in them. Dilated veins may hurt, and a feeling of “bloating” appears. Varicose veins need to be treated to avoid complications (for example, thrombophlebitis). The most popular method of treating varicose veins during pregnancy is elastic compression - wearing special “anti-varicose” stockings and tights. You need to put on tights and bandage your legs with elastic bandages while lying down, after 20–30 minutes of rest, or better yet, in the morning, after sleep, without lowering your legs from bed. When resting, you need to raise your legs - forget about decency and put your feet on the table. Cramps in the calf muscles may indicate a calcium deficiency. “Restless legs syndrome” usually develops against the background of iron deficiency, anemia, and excessive coffee consumption. Usually cramps in the legs at night, especially late pregnant women suffer from this. The fact is that the fetus grows, it needs more and more various microelements and calcium, and it shamelessly takes them from the mother. The doctor will help: prescribe calcium, iron and folic acid supplements. So, the main symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy are as follows: - Pain in the legs. - Burning, tingling and itching. - Fatigue and heaviness in the legs. - Edema, spider veins. - Night muscle cramps in the legs.
Types of edema in pregnant women
There are two main types:
- hidden edema (in some cases dangerous, they can be recognized by a sharp increase in body weight);
- obvious swelling is immediately noticeable: most often it appears on the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, and face.
Doctors distinguish three stages of edema during pregnancy:
- “normal” swelling is characterized by the absence of sudden changes in weight, normal levels of blood sugar and protein in the urine;
- the “middle” stage requires therapy, most often diuretics are used for this for edema during pregnancy;
- The “severe” stage most often appears as a result of gestosis - a pathology of pregnancy, which consists of the formation of substances in the placenta that literally “corrode” the vessels, making holes in them through which protein is washed out of the blood and enters the urine.
You will find out below which drugs are most effective during pregnancy and edema.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Cooling cosmetics should be stored in a dry place protected from light. After use, the tube or jar must be closed to prevent contact of the contents with oxygen.
The shelf life for such products is from 9 to 30 months.
Cooling creams help avoid sweating and unpleasant odor, and prevent the development of serious pathologies such as fungal infections. It is important to choose the right cream or gel for yourself and use it according to the directions on the tube.
"Canephron" for pregnant women
Another remedy with a diuretic effect, widely used by herbalists. Given the mild antibacterial effect of Canephron, nephrologists have begun to prescribe it in recent years. The drug has a pronounced healing effect for the kidneys, despite the herbal composition. "Canephron" is the only drug for edema during pregnancy, reviews of which are almost all positive.
Release form: orange pellets. Active ingredients of Canephron:
- lovage root;
- rosemary leaf extract;
- centaury herb.
Indications for use of the drug are cystitis, urolithiasis, chronic pyelonephritis, uric acid diathesis, swelling. Canephron is approved for use during pregnancy, but the duration of use and dosage must be discussed with a nephrologist.
Diet to prevent swelling during pregnancy
Before taking medications for edema during pregnancy (3rd trimester), you should always adjust your diet within one to two weeks. Often this is enough to get rid of fluid accumulation in the subcutaneous fat.
Here are these simple rules:
- Try to almost completely eliminate salt from your diet. Salt only liquid dishes and side dishes. Avoid chips, salted nuts, crackers, salted fish and snacks completely.
- Normalize your drinking regime: drink at least one and a half liters of clean water, but no more than two.
- Try to limit your intake of coffee and black flavored tea.
- Avoid carbonated drinks completely.
- Minimize the consumption of mayonnaise and other spicy, fatty, sugary sauces.
- Try to eat fatty meats (pork, beef tenderloins) as little as possible.
Pregnancy is often accompanied by swelling of the limbs and lower torso. In light of the fact that the girl is pregnant and cannot use any medications, her choice among various ointments, creams and other drugs is limited. Swelling of the hands and body is most often pathogenic in nature and has additional symptoms (such as the presence of protein in the urine, headaches, and others). However, swelling of the lower extremities for pregnant women is often not an alarming signal, but only indicates fluid retention as a result of an increased overall load on the body, and the kidneys in particular. A cream for leg swelling during pregnancy must be chosen responsibly, and it should consist only of natural ingredients.
Reviews
You can leave your feedback on using the cooling foot cream in the comments below, it will be useful to other users!
Angela
I changed jobs, I’m on my feet for a long time in a new place, I get very tired. In the evenings I feel heaviness in my legs, sometimes it feels like they are leaden. Gradually the pain and discomfort intensified. Swelling appeared. I used Mary Kay cosmetics and was very pleased with the quality. I found a foot care product in the catalogue. I chose the spray and started using it. It was possible to apply the product over tights, which made it possible to refresh the legs during working hours, preventing fatigue and swelling in the evening. It smells nice, acts quickly and effectively.
Dina
Sanosan cream helped me solve the problem with tired legs. The cream contains arnica oil and menthol, as well as a number of medicinal oils from various plants. Before applying, I take a shower, then I apply the cream and that’s it. It relieves pain and fatigue as if by hand. After a short time, a feeling of freshness and lightness arises. In just a few minutes, the product can relieve the feeling of heaviness and swelling in the legs, and prevent the development of varicose veins.
Zhanna
I am short and wear high heels. In the evenings my legs hurt a lot. I started using a cream from the Green Mama company with chestnut and propolis, which contains natural ingredients. I couldn’t believe that I could overcome the problem that had arisen with the help of a cosmetic product. However, after using it twice, I was pleasantly surprised. The swelling and pain disappeared, and due to normalized blood flow, my legs did not hurt even during the day. An excellent tool.
Interesting video Master class: Cooling foot cream with menthol