A swollen ankle can significantly restrict those affected in everyday life. To relieve accompanying symptoms such as pain, swelling or even restricted mobility in the joint, some home remedies can be very helpful. If they are also used correctly in terms of duration and dosage, they can in some cases even reduce external application with ointments containing active ingredients and the use of medication, or in some cases even completely replace it.
Read more on the subject at: Swollen ankles
Quark wraps relieve the symptoms of swollen ankles primarily through their cooling effect. If you use the quark from the refrigerator, the temperature difference causes the vessels in the inflamed area to contract. As a result, the blood flow decreases and stored fluid can be transported away more easily. The circumference of the ankle reactively decreases.
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Due to its moisture, the quark also has a cooling effect for a particularly long time, as it creates evaporative cooling. Its ingredients have less of a positive influence on the healing process because they are not available in sufficient concentration. In addition, very few ingredients can sufficiently overcome the skin barrier. Quark compresses are by no means harmful.
Read more on the subject at: Quark wrap
Alternating baths are characterized by the fact that when they are used, the water temperature is alternately changed from cold to warm. They are not recommended for swollen ankles, as additional heat impairs the healing process. If heat is supplied to an already inflamed tissue with increased blood supply, the symptoms such as redness, pain and swelling tend to increase because the supplying vessels are made wider than they were before in the context of joint inflammation.
A water bath with cold water can, however, have a very good symptom-relieving effect, as it has a decongestant effect.
Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) is not suitable for the causal therapy of a swollen ankle. Neither when applied externally nor when ingested as a powder or tablet, it has been shown to have a positive effect on the healing process of a swollen ankle. The typical areas of application of Epsom salt are constipation or colon cleansing e.g. as part of fasting. An anti-inflammatory effect is not to be expected in a swollen joint.
Read more on the subject at: Home remedies for constipation
Using apple cider vinegar on a swollen ankle is obsolete these days. It has been proven that the vinegar damages the protective barrier of the skin and thus does more harm than good when used externally. With regular use, local intolerance reactions such as rashes or flaking skin can often be observed.
The only effect of applying it to the skin is that it creates evaporative cooling that briefly cools the joint. However, this only lasts for a short time, so that other cooling methods are more effective and significantly gentler.
Like apple cider vinegar, lemon water contains a relatively large amount of acid, which can damage the skin. The idea behind using lemon water locally is that the vitamin C it contains can promote healing in the joint. It has to be said that vitamin C is not absorbed through the skin and therefore cannot reach its place of action - the swollen joint. Therefore, lemon water is not suitable for treating a swollen ankle.
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Foot massages can definitely help with a thick ankle if done correctly. If you stroke your foot like with a lymphatic drainage so that the stored fluid in the tissue can drain away more easily, the swelling and thus usually the pain will improve significantly. However, this requires some expertise, as one must know the course of the lymphatics as a prerequisite for a successful massage.
$config[ads_text2] not foundFor laypeople, it is more advisable to use the principle of gravity by elevating the affected leg in order to facilitate the drainage of stored fluid.
Essential oils have almost no effect on a swollen joint. The reason for this is that the natural ingredients in the oils cannot penetrate the top layer of the skin. In the end, when they are used externally, they do not reach their site of action through the horny skin cells. If well tolerated, however, they can be used to keep the skin supple over the swelling. However, it is essential to watch out for possible allergic reactions.
In addition to intermittent cooling, elevation is the most effective remedy for a swollen ankle. Elevation not only reduces blood flow and thus also facilitates the drainage of stored fluid, but also removes a recurring inflammatory stimulus due to stress on the joint. The physical rest associated with the elevated position promotes undisturbed healing and prevents further swelling due to too early and excessive stress.
