What does it mean if your skin stays indented for a long time?

Author: Rhiannon Sporer  |  Last update: Saturday, June 28, 2025

Pitting edema is a specific type of edema that's associated with pitting, or indentation, in the affected areas and is often caused by systemic conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, or low protein levels, where fluid retention is the main issue.

Is pitting edema serious?

Pitting edema is a common symptom. It is usually not a cause for concern in itself, but many underlying conditions require treatment, sometimes urgently. Edema should not cause any long-term complications. After working with a healthcare professional, many people find lasting relief from the symptoms.

What happens when edema won't go away?

If left untreated, edema can cause: Swelling that gets more and more painful. Problems walking. Stiffness.

Why does my skin look indented?

Indented scarring, clinically known as atrophic scarring, occurs when an injury to the skin or an inflammatory skin disease such as acne results in the destruction of its underlying collagen or fat layers.

Do skin dents go away?

Pockmarks are deep scars on the skin that do not usually go away on their own. They are often caused by severe acne but can also be the result of skin infections or chickenpox. There are a number of treatments and home remedies that may help reduce the appearance of the scars and improve the look and feel of the skin.

8 Surprising Causes of Edema: Uncover the Truth!

How do you flush out edema?

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Use pressure. If edema affects an arm or leg, wearing compression stockings, sleeves or gloves might help. ...
  2. Move. Moving and using the muscles in the part of the body that's swollen, especially the legs, might help move fluid back toward the heart. ...
  3. Raise. ...
  4. Massage. ...
  5. Protect. ...
  6. Reduce salt.

What does congestive heart failure look like in your legs?

Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn't work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues. You may also have swelling in your stomach or notice some weight gain.

What vitamin gets rid of edema?

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is thought to help in cases of mild fluid retention. Good sources of vitamin B6 include brown rice and red meat. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), calcium and vitamin D help the body to excrete excess fluids. Include fresh fruits and low-fat dairy foods in your daily diet.

Will drinking more water help with edema?

Stay Hydrated

If you are dealing with edema, drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to get rid of this problem. It is also a good idea to avoid alcohol. This is because alcohol tends to dehydrate the body, causing your body to remove fluids from the blood at a faster rate than other liquids.

Should I go to ER for pitting edema?

Get help for pitting edema right away if you have chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, trouble breathing, dizziness, confusion, or fainting spells. These are signs that you might have a serious heart problem or a blood clot in your lungs.

Why do I have a permanent dent in my leg?

Pitting edema is a specific type of edema that's associated with pitting, or indentation, in the affected areas and is often caused by systemic conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, or low protein levels, where fluid retention is the main issue.

What not to do with edema?

Do not sit or stand for long periods without moving or go on short walks. Wear support socks, stockings or sleeves, which put pressure on parts of your body to keep fluids from collecting there. Edema shoes are available for people who experience chronic edema and need adjustable footwear for swelling.

What are the three main causes of edema?

Here are some examples:
  • Venous insufficiency can cause edema in the feet, lower legs and ankles. ...
  • Heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) can cause edema in the arms and legs (peripheral edema) as well as in the abdomen (ascites). ...
  • Kidney disease can cause edema in the legs and around the eyes.

What is stage 1 of congestive heart failure?

Stage 1 congestive heart failure

“During the first stage of congestive heart failure, you won't experience any symptoms, even during physical activity. You will be classed in stage 1 if you have cardiac disease but this is not causing you any symptoms” explains Dr Hadjiphilippou.

What are the facial signs of heart problems?

These include thinning or grey hair, wrinkles, ear lobe crease, xanthelasmata (small, yellow deposits of cholesterol underneath the skin, usually around the eyelids) and arcus corneae (fat and cholesterol deposits that appear as a hazy white, grey or blue opaque ring in the outer edges of the cornea).

Do you pee a lot with heart failure?

Overactive Bladder is a Distress Symptom in Heart Failure.

What is the best drink for edema?

Zumpano says black and green teas are best if you're looking for diuretic drinks, not least because you know how much you're ingesting. “Teas are a little easier to regulate,” Zumpano says. “You have a teabag. You're not taking a pill or a vitamin or concentrated form of it.

Which leg swells with congestive heart failure?

Puffy swelling (edema) in the legs, the feet, and the ankles may occur, particularly at the end of the day or after prolonged sitting. Often, the swelling is more noticeable in the ankles or on the lower leg in the front where the bone, the tibia, is close to the skin.

Can you rub out edema?

Massage works to treat edema by pushing the excess fluid from the body. Swelling, particularly when triggered by blunt-force trauma, causes fluid to “pool” and collect in cavities within the body. Massage therapy guides the fluid from its collection, allowing it to be flushed through the lymphatic system.

How do you treat indented skin?

Injecting collagen, fat or other substances under the skin can plump the skin over indented scars. The goal is to make the scars less noticeable. Results are temporary, so repeat treatments are needed to retain the effect. This method has little risk of changes in skin color.

What does it mean if your skin doesn't bounce back?

Overview. A decrease in skin turgor is indicated when the skin (on the back of the hand for an adult or on the abdomen for a child) is pulled up for a few seconds and does not return to its original state. A decrease in skin turgor is a late sign of dehydration.

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