Oedema, circulation and limitations of use
These instructions are intended for the practical use of Smrekovit products for problems related to swelling, venous insufficiency and poor circulation. They mainly cover swollen and heavy legs, problems around the ankles, varicose veins, cold hands and feet, and diabetic foot without an open wound.
With this group of problems, it is important to understand that the cause is often not only in the area where we feel pain or notice swelling. Problems may be caused by fluid retention, damaged venous valves, diabetes or poorer blood circulation in the tissues.
Based on our practical experience, Smrekovit 365 Prima can help mainly with symptoms such as pain, a feeling of heavy legs, problems around the ankles, and a sensation of cold hands or feet. However, it cannot repair damaged venous valves or remove existing varicose veins.
We pay particular attention to oedema or swelling. In chronic wounds, pronounced oedema can be one of the main reasons why a wound heals very slowly. If an open wound is present, also follow the instructions for wounds, skin injuries and healing.
It is also important to distinguish ordinary circulation problems from conditions that require prompt diagnosis. Sudden pain, redness and swelling, especially in only one leg, may indicate thrombosis and require a medical examination.
If the change resembles local inflammation of the skin or subcutaneous tissue, also read the instructions for soft tissue inflammation.
Oedema and circulation – at a glance
- For problems related to poor circulation, venous insufficiency and swelling, the first choice is generally Smrekovit 365 Prima.
- Based on our practical experience, Smrekovit can help mainly with pain, a feeling of heavy legs, problems around the ankles, and a sensation of cold hands or feet.
- With venous insufficiency and varicose veins, there is an important limitation: Smrekovit cannot repair damaged venous valves or remove varicose veins. The problems may therefore return after use is discontinued.
- Oedema or swelling may be a more important problem than the local issue itself. In wounds, pronounced oedema can significantly slow healing.
- A particularly unfavourable sign is when fluid soaks through gauze, bandages, socks or footwear. In such a case, simply changing the ointment or gauze does not address the underlying problem.
- With oedema, measures directed at the cause are also important: based on our practical experience, especially reducing salt intake, elevating the legs, compression bandaging when appropriate, and treatment as advised by a doctor.
- For cold hands or feet, we recommend a practical trial of approximately 7 days. If there is no change at all, based on our experience, continued use usually does not make sense.
- For diabetic foot without an open wound, we recommend regular application at least once a day, especially to the soles of the feet. An important additional benefit is that this also encourages the user to inspect the foot every day.
- If an open wound is already present on a diabetic foot, follow the instructions for wounds and healing.
- Sudden pain, redness and swelling, especially in one leg, may indicate thrombosis. In such a case, do not continue with local application alone, but seek medical diagnostics.
- If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, a possible alternative is Smrekovit 365 Alter.
General instructions for oedema and circulation problems
With this group of problems, it is important first to understand what is a symptom and what is its underlying cause. Swelling, a feeling of heavy legs, pain around the ankles or cold feet can result from very different problems, so the location of the problem alone often does not tell us enough.
For local use, the first choice is generally Smrekovit 365 Prima. Smrekovit Klasik is also an option if you prefer a greasier base, or Smrekovit 365 Ekstra if you also like the cooling sensation.
If you are allergic or sensitive to spruce resin, you can use Smrekovit 365 Alter.
Apply to the area where the problems actually occur
Apply the product regularly to the area where swelling, a feeling of heavy legs, pain, tightness or a sensation of cold are present. With leg problems, this is often the area of the feet, ankles and lower legs.
With this group of problems, regular use is generally more important than a thick single application.
With oedema, local application alone is often not enough
Oedema means fluid retention in the tissues. Based on our practical experience, pronounced swelling is one of the most important reasons for slow wound healing.
If fluid soaks through gauze, bandages, socks or even footwear, it is important to address the oedema itself as well. Based on our practical experience, the following may be important:
- reducing salt intake,
- normal fluid intake,
- elevating the legs,
- compression bandaging when appropriate,
- and, as advised by a doctor, treatment with medication, especially when the swelling is pronounced.
If an open wound is also present, follow the instructions for wounds, skin injuries and healing as well.
With venous insufficiency, expect mainly help with symptoms
For venous insufficiency and varicose veins, based on our practical experience, Smrekovit can help mainly with pain, a feeling of heavy legs and problems around the ankles.
However, it cannot repair damaged venous valves or remove existing varicose veins. The symptoms may therefore return after use is discontinued.
If there is no effect, reconsider the cause
For cold hands, cold feet and similar problems, we recommend a practical trial of approximately seven days. If there is no change at all during this time, based on our experience, continued use usually does not make sense.
With pronounced or long-term swelling, however, the question is often not which additional product to use, but why fluid is accumulating or why circulation is poorer.
Be alert to the possibility of thrombosis
Sudden pain, redness and swelling, especially in one leg, are not suitable for prolonged trial of local preparations without a diagnosis. Such a condition may indicate thrombosis or another vascular problem and requires medical assessment.
If a condition you are treating as local inflammation or a circulation problem does not respond at all in the way you would expect, reconsider the diagnosis.
Oedema and swelling of the legs
Oedema means fluid retention in the tissues. It is most commonly noticed as swelling of the legs, tight skin, an increased circumference of the limb or, in more severe cases, even fluid leaking through the skin.
For local use, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima. Apply the cream regularly to the swollen or painful area.
However, it is important to understand that local application alone is often not enough in pronounced oedema. If fluid is accumulating in the tissues because of an underlying disease or circulation disorder, that cause must also be addressed.
With wounds, oedema can be a bigger problem than the wound itself
Based on our practical experience, pronounced oedema is one of the greatest factors slowing healing. A wound on a severely swollen leg may heal considerably more slowly than a comparable wound without oedema.
If an open wound is also present alongside the swelling, follow the instructions for wounds, skin injuries and healing, while also paying attention to the swelling itself.
How much fluid soaks through the gauze?
With chronic wounds, this is one of the most useful practical questions. The amount of discharge can also give an approximate indication of the severity of the oedema:
- Mild: the gauze is only slightly damp.
- Moderate: the gauze is distinctly wet or could almost be wrung out.
- Severe: the fluid soaks through bandages, socks or even footwear.
If the fluid is already soaking through bandages and footwear, simply changing the gauze more often or using a different ointment does not address the underlying problem.
What can help reduce oedema?
Based on our practical experience, with pronounced swelling it makes sense, in addition to local use, to also consider:
- reducing salt intake,
- normal fluid intake,
- elevating the legs,
- compression bandaging when appropriate,
- and treatment of the oedema as advised by a doctor.
With pronounced oedema, based on our practical experience, diuretics may also have an important effect, but they belong under medical supervision.
When is additional caution needed?
If the swelling develops suddenly, especially in only one leg, is accompanied by pain, redness or warmth, or has no clear cause, we recommend a medical examination because of the possibility of thrombosis or another vascular problem.
We also recommend an examination if the swelling increases rapidly or a large amount of fluid leaks through the skin.
Venous insufficiency and varicose veins
With venous insufficiency, the venous valves no longer function optimally, causing blood to pool in the legs. This can lead to swelling, a feeling of heavy or painful legs, problems around the ankles, changes in skin colour and, in more advanced cases, chronic wounds.
For local use, we primarily recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima. Apply the product regularly to the area where you experience problems.
What can you expect?
Based on our practical experience, Smrekovit can help mainly with:
- pain in the legs,
- a feeling of heavy legs,
- problems and tenderness around the ankles,
- other unpleasant sensations associated with venous insufficiency.
With regular use, some users also notice an improvement in how their legs feel or in the appearance of the skin, but the response depends on the severity of the underlying vascular problem.
Varicose veins cannot be removed by applying a topical product
Smrekovit cannot repair damaged venous valves and cannot remove existing varicose veins. With this problem, we are therefore primarily talking about helping with symptoms rather than eliminating the underlying cause.
If a user wants to remove the varicose veins themselves, appropriate vascular methods or procedures may be considered in consultation with a doctor.
Why can the problems return after use is discontinued?
Because the underlying mechanical damage to the venous valves remains, pain, a feeling of heavy legs or problems around the ankles may return after regular use is discontinued.
With pronounced swelling, do not address only the local symptoms, but also follow the instructions for oedema and swelling of the legs.
If an open wound is present, follow the instructions for wounds and healing.
When is it no longer just an ordinary vein problem?
If sudden pain, pronounced swelling, redness or warmth develops, especially in one leg, we recommend prompt medical examination because of the possibility of thrombosis or another vascular problem.
Heavy and painful legs and problems around the ankles
A feeling of heavy, tired or painful legs and discomfort around the ankles are common, especially with problems related to venous circulation and swelling.
For local use, we primarily recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima.
How to use?
Apply the cream regularly to the area where the problems are most pronounced – most commonly the feet, ankles and lower part of the lower legs.
With this type of problem, regular use is more important than a thick single application.
What can you expect?
Based on our practical experience, users most commonly notice:
- less pain and discomfort in the legs,
- a less pronounced feeling of heavy legs,
- fewer problems and less tenderness around the ankles.
If the problems are caused by venous insufficiency, it is important to know that local use may help with the symptoms, but does not correct the underlying damage to the venous valves. The problems may therefore return after use is discontinued.
If the legs are also markedly swollen, follow the instructions for oedema and swelling of the legs. If varicose veins or confirmed venous insufficiency are present, also see the instructions for venous insufficiency and varicose veins.
If pain and swelling appear suddenly and mainly in only one leg, especially with redness or a sensation of warmth, we recommend a medical examination because of the possibility of thrombosis.
Cold hands and feet
For some users with a feeling of cold hands or feet, based on our practical experience, regular local use of Smrekovit brings a noticeable difference.
As a first choice, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima.
How to use?
Apply the cream regularly directly to the affected area – on the legs mainly to the feet and ankles, and on the hands to the palms, fingers and, if necessary, the wrists.
With this type of problem, regular use is more important than a thick single application.
What can you expect?
Users most commonly describe:
- a warmer sensation in the hands or feet,
- a less pronounced feeling of cold,
- and in some cases a more pink appearance of the skin instead of pronounced bluish discoloration.
Assess the effect after approximately seven days
We recommend a practical trial of approximately 7 days.
If you notice a clear positive change during this time, continue using the product. If there is no difference at all, based on our practical experience, continued use usually does not make sense.
If cold hands or feet are pronounced, long-lasting or accompanied by pain, a marked change in skin colour or other problems, it makes sense to also investigate the cause of poorer circulation.
Diabetic foot without an open wound
For diabetic foot without an open wound, we primarily recommend regular local use and daily inspection of the foot.
As a first choice, we recommend Smrekovit 365 Prima.
How to use?
Apply the cream at least once a day, especially to the soles of the feet and to areas where you notice poorer circulation, changes in skin colour or other problems.
Each time you apply the cream, inspect the foot carefully as well. Pay particular attention to:
- blisters,
- cracks in the skin,
- redness,
- changes in skin colour,
- the beginning of an injury or wound.
Daily application is also a daily inspection
Based on our practical experience, this is one of the more important advantages of routine use. With diabetes, sensation in the feet may be reduced, so a user may sometimes notice a minor injury only after the problem has already progressed.
If you apply the cream to the foot every day, you also inspect it every day and can notice changes much earlier.
If an open wound develops
Once an open wound is present, do not continue following only these instructions for skin without a wound. Switch to the instructions for diabetic foot with a wound, which describe how to use Smrekovit Klasik on sterile non-woven gauze.
With diabetic foot, it is also important to manage the underlying diabetes and to act promptly with any injury that does not begin to improve normally.
Thrombosis – when not to continue with local application alone
Thrombosis means the formation of a blood clot in a vein. It is particularly important for the user because it can appear similar to local inflammation: with pain, swelling, redness and a feeling of warmth.
Pay particular attention if the problems appear suddenly and mainly in only one leg.
Signs that may suggest thrombosis
Suspicion is greater especially when the following occur together:
- swelling of one leg,
- pain or tenderness without a clear injury,
- redness or a change in skin colour,
- a feeling of warmth in the affected area.
Do not treat such a condition only as ordinary local inflammation or a circulation problem. Medical diagnostics are required.
If presumed inflammation does not respond, reconsider the diagnosis
In practice, we are particularly alert to the possibility of thrombosis when a user treats a painful, red and swollen leg as erysipelas, bacterial inflammation or another local problem, but the condition does not begin to improve at all despite the expected use.
In such a case, it does not make sense simply to continue using the product or increase the amount applied; the cause of the problem needs to be reassessed.
If erysipelas or bacterial inflammation of the skin or subcutaneous tissue has been diagnosed, also see the instructions for erysipelas and bacterial cellulitis.
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
If sudden difficulty breathing or chest pain occurs together with signs of possible thrombosis, immediate emergency medical assistance is required, as a blood clot may travel to the lungs.
Necrosis and very poor circulation
Necrosis means dead tissue. It most commonly occurs with very poor circulation, diabetes, vascular disease or a combination of several factors. It can also develop after a severe injury or crushing injury to the tissue.
With necrosis, it is therefore more important than the local appearance alone to assess the cause, depth of the change and quality of circulation in the affected area.
Necrosis itself does not necessarily mean that improvement is impossible
Based on our practical experience, the condition can improve considerably, especially when the bone is not affected and circulation in the tissue is not catastrophically poor.
In such cases, necrotic tissue may gradually separate, while new tissue begins to regenerate underneath.
The worst combination is affected bone and very poor circulation
If the necrosis is deep, the bone is also affected and circulation is very poor at the same time, the possibilities are considerably more limited. Based on our practical experience, in such cases it is sometimes possible mainly to slow the progression, while complete arrest cannot always be expected.
Such a condition requires medical treatment and assessment of circulation. Local use of Smrekovit cannot replace treatment of the underlying vascular disease.
Necrosis after an injury may be different
Necrosis does not always develop because of vascular disease. It may also occur after a crushing injury or another severe injury to the soft tissues.
If the underlying circulation is otherwise good, based on our practical experience, the chances of tissue regeneration are generally considerably better than with necrosis caused by advanced vascular disease.
If an open wound is present
For necrosis with an open wound, also follow the instructions for wounds, skin injuries and healing. With such wounds, it is particularly important to monitor whether the necrosis is progressing, whether the wound is closing from the edges and what the circulation in the surrounding tissue is like.
If bone is visible or affected, the necrosis is progressing, a strong unpleasant odour develops, redness spreads or the general condition worsens, we recommend a medical examination.
Most common mistakes with oedema and circulation problems
Focusing on the wound, but not on the oedema
With chronic wounds, users often pay a great deal of attention to the ointment, gauze, dressing changes and disinfection, while overlooking the fact that the leg is severely swollen or that fluid is leaking from it.
If the oedema is pronounced, fluid retention itself may significantly slow healing. In such cases, simply changing the preparation or changing the dressing more often usually does not address the underlying problem.
If an open wound is present, also follow the instructions for wounds and healing, while the swelling or oedema itself must also be addressed.
Persisting too long with the wrong explanation of the problem
Pain, redness and swelling are not always caused by local inflammation. In some users, the cause may be thrombosis or another vascular problem.
If the condition does not respond at all in the way you would expect despite correct use, it does not make sense simply to continue applying the product. Reconsider the cause of the problem and seek medical diagnostics if necessary.
Read more about warning signs in the section Thrombosis – when not to continue with local application alone.
Expecting varicose veins to disappear
Based on our practical experience, Smrekovit can help with pain, a feeling of heavy legs and problems around the ankles, but it cannot repair damaged venous valves or remove existing varicose veins.
If the goal is to remove the varicose veins themselves, local application cannot achieve this. More information is provided in the section Venous insufficiency and varicose veins.
The main practical question
With this group of problems, we therefore often ask not only “What else can we apply?”, but above all:
“Why is the condition not improving?”
Oedema, poor circulation, diabetes and other underlying diseases may influence the course much more than the choice of the local preparation itself.
About these instructions
These instructions are based primarily on many years of practical experience using Smrekovit products, user feedback and knowledge gained through the development and use of the products.
Where we describe specific methods of use, product selection, the expected course or other practical details, these are based primarily on our practical experience. This is not equivalent to the results of clinical research and does not guarantee that every user will respond in the same way.
Where necessary, we verify and supplement general information about individual problems using professional sources. Where these are important for understanding the content, we cite them on the page.
We regularly supplement and update the instructions based on new experience, user feedback and available professional knowledge.