Sunburn is skin damage from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to redness, pain, and sometimes swelling. This swelling can extend to areas like the ankles.
How Sunburn Can Lead to Swelling
When skin is exposed to excessive UV radiation, it damages skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response. This process is the body’s attempt to repair the damage and remove affected cells.
As part of this response, blood vessels in the sunburned area widen, increasing blood flow to the injured tissue. This increased blood flow leads to greater permeability of the tiny blood vessels. Fluid then leaks out and accumulates in the surrounding tissues, causing swelling. In cases of severe sunburn, this swelling can become noticeable, particularly in dependent areas like the feet and ankles where gravity can cause fluid to pool.
Other Reasons for Swelling After Sun Exposure
While sunburn can directly cause swelling, other factors often associated with time outdoors can also contribute to swollen ankles. One common cause is heat edema, where the body’s blood vessels naturally expand in hot environments to help cool down. This expansion allows fluid to leak into surrounding tissues, and gravity can draw this fluid towards the lower limbs.
Dehydration can also lead to fluid retention. When the body loses fluids through sweating without adequate replacement, it conserves water and sodium, which can contribute to swelling. Prolonged periods of standing or sitting in hot conditions also hinder the return of fluid from the lower extremities to the heart, exacerbating swelling. Certain medications or underlying health conditions might also make individuals more prone to swelling when exposed to heat and sun.
Managing Swelling Associated with Sun Exposure
To manage swollen ankles after sun exposure, several practical steps can alleviate discomfort. Elevating the legs above heart level is beneficial, as this position uses gravity to encourage fluid drainage away from the ankles. Applying cool compresses to the swollen areas can also help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.
Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water helps the body regulate fluid balance and counteract dehydration. Avoiding prolonged standing or sitting and engaging in gentle movement, such as walking, can improve circulation and prevent fluid from pooling. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as NSAIDs, may also help reduce both pain and inflammation associated with sunburn and swelling.
When to Consult a Doctor
While mild swelling after sun exposure often resolves with home care, certain signs warrant medical attention. If the swelling is severe, persistent, or rapidly worsening, consult a healthcare professional. Accompanying symptoms such as intense pain, increased redness, warmth, or tenderness in the swollen area could indicate a more serious issue like infection.
Swelling in only one leg, or accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or confusion, requires immediate medical attention. If the swelling does not improve after a few days of home care, or if it is associated with extensive blistering from a severe sunburn, seek professional medical advice.