Heat edema
Background
- Commonly seen in travelers just arriving from a colder climate[1]
- Thought to be from vasodilation, body attempts to shunt warm blood to periphery
Clinical Features
- Self-limited, mild edema of feet, ankles, and hands[2]
- Appears within first few days of exposure to a hot environment
Differential Diagnosis
Environmental heat diagnoses
Evaluation
- Clinical diagnosis
Management
- Elevation of legs
- Use of support hose
- Diuretics are contraindicated (not beneficial and may cause dehydration)
Disposition
- Outpatient
- Resolves spontaneously in days to weeks