Heat edema

Background

• Commonly seen in travelers just arriving from a colder climate
• Thought to be from vasodilation, body attempts to shunt warm blood to periphery

Clinical Features

• Self-limited, mild edema of feet, ankles, and hands
• Appears within first few days of exposure to a hot environment

Differential Diagnosis

Environmental heat diagnoses

• Heat cramps
• Heat edema
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat tetany
• Heat stroke
• Heat syncope
• Miliaria
• Hyperthermia

Bilateral leg swelling

Differential Diagnosis of Pedal Edema

• Pedal edema
  • Gravitational
  • Venous insufficiency
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Drugs
    • NSAIDS
    • Birth control
    • Steroids
  • CHF
  • Lymphedema
  • Renal failure
  • Liver failure
  • Pregnancy
  • Heat edema
  • Idiopathic
• Other
  • DVT
  • Pretibial myxedema

Evaluation

• Clinical diagnosis

Management

1. Elevation of legs
2. Use of support hose
3. Diuretics are contraindicated (not beneficial and may cause dehydration)

Disposition

• Outpatient
• Resolves spontaneously in days to weeks

See Also

• Heat Emergencies