What should I do if my hands or feet become swollen after soaking in water for a long time?

Under normal circumstances, swelling after prolonged immersion in water may be caused by osmotic edema, blood vessel dilation, allergies, medication effects, cirrhosis, or other factors. Patients should promptly visit a正规 medical facility to determine the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Osmotic Edema

Prolonged immersion in water, especially warm water, may lead to osmotic edema. This occurs when water penetrates through the skin surface into the underlying tissues, increasing osmotic substances within the tissue and thereby causing swelling. This is generally a normal physiological response and does not require special treatment.

2. Vasodilation (Blood Vessel Dilation)

Extended periods of soaking in water may cause blood vessels to dilate and increase vascular wall permeability. This allows fluid from the bloodstream to leak into surrounding tissues, resulting in edema. This is typically a normal physiological reaction and usually resolves spontaneously over time.

3. Allergic Reaction

If a patient is allergic to water quality, shower gel, towels, or similar substances, prolonged soaking may trigger an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms such as swelling, rashes, and itching. Under medical guidance, patients may take antihistamines such as loratadine tablets, cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, or ebastine tablets to relieve discomfort.

4. Medication Effects

Patients taking medications such as adrenal corticosteroids, androgens, estrogens, insulin, reserpine preparations, licorice preparations, or antihypertensive drugs may also experience such swelling as a side effect. Upon occurrence of this issue, patients should consult their doctor about switching or discontinuing the medication to alleviate symptoms.

5. Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a chronic, progressive, diffuse liver disease caused by various etiologies. In patients with cirrhosis, portal vein pressure supplying the liver increases, promoting fluid leakage into tissue spaces and resulting in edema. Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. As directed by a physician, patients may use medications such as vitamin B complex tablets, polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules, or entecavir capsules to improve their condition.

In daily life, patients should also pay attention to proper self-care, avoid prolonged standing, and refrain from intense physical activity, as these may exacerbate the aforementioned symptoms.