{"id":2973,"date":"2025-08-04T07:37:39","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T07:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smrekovit.local\/?p=2973"},"modified":"2026-09-14T14:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T12:11:53","slug":"swelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/oteklina\/","title":{"rendered":"Swelling \u2013 why it occurs, what helps and when it goes away"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 id=\"oteklina-na-kratko\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Swelling in brief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n  <ul>\n    <li><strong>Swelling after an injury is often expected.<\/strong> What matters most is whether it gradually decreases and whether pain and mobility improve at the same time.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Swelling does not always need to be reduced as quickly as possible.<\/strong> The right approach depends on the cause \u2013 swelling after a blow or sprain is managed differently from leg swelling caused by fluid retention.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>After an injury, the most useful measures are usually reducing the load, maintaining an appropriate amount of movement and elevating the affected area.<\/strong> Complete rest is generally unnecessary unless the injury requires it.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Sudden or rapidly increasing swelling without a clear cause requires more caution.<\/strong> One-sided leg swelling, marked redness or warmth, fever, shortness of breath or chest pain are particularly important warning signs.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block toc\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#oteklina-na-kratko\">Swelling in brief<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#kaj-je-oteklina-in-zakaj-nastane\">What is swelling and why does it occur?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#kdaj-izgine-oteklina\">When does swelling go away?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#kaj-pomaga-pri-oteklini\">What helps with swelling?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#oteklina-po-udarcu-zvinu-ali-drugi-poskodbi\">Swelling after a blow, sprain or other injury<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#otekle-noge-in-edem\">Swollen legs and oedema<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#otekel-sklep-kaj-lahko-pomeni\">Swollen joint \u2013 what could it mean?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#kdaj-je-oteklina-zaskrbljujoca\">When to be concerned about swelling<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#smrekovit-in-oteklina-uporaba-v-praksi\">Smrekovit and swelling \u2013 practical use<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#pogosta-vprasanja-o-oteklini\">Frequently asked questions about swelling<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"kaj-je-oteklina-in-zakaj-nastane\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is swelling and why does it occur?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <p>\n    Swelling means an increase in the volume of tissue, most commonly\n    due to fluid accumulating within it. It is often seen after an\n    injury or with inflammation, but it can also result from impaired\n    venous or lymphatic drainage, certain medical conditions,\n    medicines and other causes.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Why does an injured area swell?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    After a blow, sprain or other injury, an inflammatory response\n    begins. Blood vessels in the affected area become more permeable,\n    allowing more fluid to move into the surrounding tissues. This can\n    cause swelling, a feeling of tightness and often pain, warmth or\n    redness.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    This type of swelling can be a normal part of the body&#8217;s early\n    response to injury. Its course is particularly important: after an\n    uncomplicated injury, swelling is expected to gradually decrease\n    together with the other symptoms.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Swelling is not always caused by an injury<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Fluid can also accumulate in tissues when blood does not return\n    efficiently through the veins, when lymphatic drainage is impaired\n    or when the body retains excess fluid. Swelling may occur with\n    venous insufficiency, heart, kidney or liver disease, prolonged\n    sitting or standing, certain medicines, infection or a blood clot.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    This is why the question <strong>\u201cWhy has the swelling\n    developed?\u201d<\/strong> is often more important than simply\n    <strong>\u201cHow can I reduce it as quickly as possible?\u201d<\/strong>.\n    A measure that makes sense after a blow may not be appropriate for\n    leg swelling caused by a venous or other medical problem.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"kdaj-izgine-oteklina\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When does swelling go away?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <p>\n    <strong>There is no single timeframe for swelling to disappear.<\/strong>\n    After a minor injury it may begin to decrease relatively quickly,\n    while after a sprain or a more significant soft-tissue injury some\n    swelling can persist for several weeks. After an ankle sprain, mild\n    swelling may even remain for <strong>3 to 6 months<\/strong>, although\n    pain and function often improve much sooner.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>The trend matters more than the exact duration<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Swelling does not necessarily need to disappear completely within\n    a short time. After an injury, it is more useful to watch whether\n    the overall condition is gradually improving:\n  <\/p>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>the swelling is decreasing or at least not increasing,<\/li>\n    <li>pain is becoming less severe,<\/li>\n    <li>movement and weight-bearing are gradually becoming easier,<\/li>\n    <li>no new warning signs are developing.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <p>\n    If the injury feels better after several days but some swelling is\n    still visible, this alone does not necessarily mean that recovery\n    is going badly. Swelling around the ankle and other parts of the\n    lower limb is often more noticeable towards the end of the day.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>When is persistent swelling no longer just part of recovery?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    It is different if the swelling <strong>shows no tendency to improve,\n    continues to increase or appears without a clear injury<\/strong>.\n    In that situation, simply waiting for it to disappear is not enough.\n    Other causes should be considered, particularly when swelling is\n    one-sided or accompanied by marked pain, redness, warmth or other\n    symptoms.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"kaj-pomaga-pri-oteklini\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What helps with swelling?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation=\"\">\n\n  <p>\n    What helps with swelling depends mainly on its cause. Swelling after\n    an injury usually requires a different approach from leg swelling\n    caused by fluid retention, venous insufficiency or another medical\n    condition.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>For swelling after an injury<\/h3>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>\n      <strong>Reduce the load on the injured area, but do not immobilise\n      it unnecessarily.<\/strong> When pain and the injury itself allow,\n      gradual movement is generally preferable to prolonged complete rest.\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n      <strong>Elevate the affected limb.<\/strong> Raising it above heart\n      level can help reduce fluid accumulation, particularly in the lower\n      limbs.\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n      <strong>Compression can be useful for some injuries,<\/strong> but\n      it is not appropriate for every type of swelling and must be used\n      correctly.\n    <\/li>\n    <li>\n      <strong>Watch the trend.<\/strong> More important than whether some\n      swelling is still visible is whether it is gradually decreasing\n      together with pain and restriction of movement.\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <h3>What about cooling with ice?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Ice is still commonly recommended mainly for short-term reduction of\n    pain and swelling after an acute injury. Our practical approach when\n    using Smrekovit products is different:\n    <strong>we generally do not recommend using ice at the same time as\n    Smrekovit.<\/strong>\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    This recommendation is based on many years of Smrekovit experience\n    with injuries and on our approach of not trying to suppress\n    post-injury swelling as quickly as possible at all costs. We explain\n    our view in more detail in the article\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/hlajenje-ali-smola\/\">Cooling with ice \u2013 why we do not recommend it for injuries<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>For swelling caused by fluid retention<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    When swelling is not caused by an injury, it is often more important\n    to <strong>address or control the underlying cause<\/strong> than simply\n    reduce the swelling itself. Depending on the cause, movement,\n    elevation, compression and treatment of the underlying condition may\n    be important for swollen legs. Marked or recurrent oedema therefore\n    warrants medical assessment.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    This is particularly important in venous or heart failure and other\n    conditions where a topical product cannot correct the underlying\n    cause of fluid retention.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"oteklina-po-udarcu-zvinu-ali-drugi-poskodbi\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Swelling after a blow, sprain or other injury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <p>\n    Swelling after a blow, sprain or other soft-tissue injury is common.\n    It develops as part of the early response of the injured area and may\n    be accompanied by pain, tenderness, restricted movement and, after a\n    blow, bruising or a haematoma.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    <strong>The size of the swelling alone does not reliably indicate how\n    serious an injury is.<\/strong> A relatively mild sprain can produce\n    considerable swelling, while some more significant injuries may not\n    appear especially swollen at first. Function is therefore just as\n    important as appearance.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/otecen-zdrav-glezenj-1024x768.webp\" alt=\"Swollen and bruised ankle after an injury\" class=\"wp-image-11848\" style=\"width:700px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/otecen-zdrav-glezenj-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/otecen-zdrav-glezenj-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/otecen-zdrav-glezenj-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/otecen-zdrav-glezenj-16x12.webp 16w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/otecen-zdrav-glezenj-600x450.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/otecen-zdrav-glezenj.webp 1448w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <h3>What matters more than the swelling itself?<\/h3>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>whether the injured area can be fully or partly loaded,<\/li>\n    <li>whether movement is improving from day to day,<\/li>\n    <li>whether pain and swelling are gradually decreasing,<\/li>\n    <li>whether the joint feels stable,<\/li>\n    <li>whether numbness, tingling or colour changes are present.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <h3>Swelling after a blow and bruising<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    A direct blow can damage small blood vessels as well as cause\n    swelling, resulting in a <strong>haematoma or bruise<\/strong>. Its\n    colour may change over the following days from red or blue-purple to\n    greenish and yellow as the body gradually breaks down blood that has\n    leaked into the tissues.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    A large bruise therefore does not necessarily mean that the injury is\n    getting worse. It is more useful to monitor whether pain, tightness\n    and function are gradually improving. A very large swelling or\n    haematoma that develops rapidly requires greater caution.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>With a sprain, joint stability also matters<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    A sprain involves injury to the ligaments, so swelling is not the only\n    factor to consider. A mild sprain may gradually improve with\n    appropriate protection and loading, while a more severe ligament\n    injury may cause marked instability, inability to bear weight or a\n    feeling that the joint is giving way.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    If the ankle is affected, symptoms, grades of injury and expected\n    recovery are described in more detail on\n    <a href=\"\/zvin-gleznja\/\">Ankle sprain \u2013 symptoms and recovery<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>When is monitoring alone not enough?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Medical assessment is particularly appropriate when there is obvious\n    deformity, very severe pain, inability to bear weight, marked\n    instability, rapidly increasing swelling or numbness, tingling or an\n    unusual colour change in the injured area.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    Practical instructions for blows, sprains, muscle injuries and other\n    soft-tissue injuries are collected in our\n    <a href=\"\/navodila\/poskodbe\/\">instructions for injuries and overuse problems<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"otekle-noge-in-edem\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Swollen legs and oedema<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <p>\n    When the feet, ankles or lower legs swell without a clear injury,\n    this is often described as <strong>oedema<\/strong> \u2013 an accumulation\n    of fluid in the tissues. Swelling may be temporary, for example after\n    prolonged standing or sitting, but it can also accompany venous\n    insufficiency, impaired lymphatic drainage or certain medical\n    conditions.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    It is useful to notice <strong>when the swelling develops, whether\n    one or both legs are affected and how it changes during the\n    day<\/strong>. Swelling of both ankles that is worse in the evening\n    and improves after a night&#8217;s rest may have a very different cause\n    from sudden swelling of only one leg.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Swollen ankles and lower legs due to oedema\" class=\"wp-image-11851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem-599x337.webp 599w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/edem.webp 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <h3>Why do legs often swell more towards the evening?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    During prolonged sitting or standing, gravity makes it more difficult\n    for blood and fluid to return from the lower limbs. By the end of the\n    day this can lead to tight ankles, heavy legs, sock marks on the skin\n    or shoes feeling tighter than usual.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    With <strong>venous insufficiency<\/strong>, this may be more pronounced\n    because the venous valves no longer direct blood back towards the\n    heart efficiently enough. Varicose veins, a feeling of heavy legs,\n    discomfort around the ankles and, over time, changes in skin colour\n    may also occur.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>What usually helps with fluid retention in the legs?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Measures depend on the cause, but regular movement, avoiding prolonged\n    immobility and <strong>elevating the legs<\/strong> are often useful.\n    Compression can also be important for certain types of oedema, but it\n    should first be established that it is appropriate for the person&#8217;s\n    vascular condition.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    If swelling is marked, recurrent or associated with heart, kidney,\n    liver or vascular disease, the <strong>underlying cause<\/strong>\n    needs to be addressed. Simply reducing local swelling does not correct\n    such a condition.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Why does marked oedema also matter in wounds?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    In wounds on swollen legs, fluid retention can be an important\n    additional obstacle. Tight, markedly swollen tissue provides poorer\n    conditions for normal healing, which means that treating only the\n    surface of the wound is not enough.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    In our practical counselling, marked oedema is also one of the first\n    factors we consider when a wound is progressing slowly. It is useful\n    to ask <strong>why the leg is swelling and how fluid retention can be\n    reduced<\/strong>, rather than only what should be applied to the wound.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Sudden swelling of only one leg requires more caution<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    If one leg suddenly swells without a clear injury, especially when\n    pain, redness or warmth are also present, prompt medical assessment\n    is needed. One possible cause is <strong>deep vein thrombosis<\/strong>,\n    which cannot be reliably distinguished from other causes by\n    appearance alone.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    More detailed practical guidance on oedema, swollen and heavy legs,\n    venous insufficiency, varicose veins and other circulation-related\n    problems is available in our\n    <a href=\"\/navodila\/prekrvavitev\/\">instructions for oedema, circulation and limitations of use<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"otekel-sklep-kaj-lahko-pomeni\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Swollen joint \u2013 what could it mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <p>\n    Joint swelling may occur after an injury, because of irritation or\n    inflammation within the joint, with osteoarthritis, arthritis, gout\n    and other joint conditions. In some cases, additional joint fluid\n    also accumulates, making the area appear fuller or tense.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    <strong>A swollen joint is therefore not a diagnosis in itself.<\/strong>\n    It is important to consider whether the swelling appeared suddenly or\n    gradually, whether the joint is painful, warm or red, and whether its\n    range of movement has become more limited.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Swelling of the knee joint due to an increased amount of joint fluid\" class=\"wp-image-11854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina-599x337.webp 599w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/sklepna-tekocina-oteklina.webp 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <h3>With osteoarthritis, symptoms may appear only later<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Joint wear does not always cause noticeable symptoms immediately.\n    Some people have structural changes for a long time before pain,\n    stiffness, reduced mobility or swelling become apparent.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    When swelling is associated with longer-term joint wear, it is\n    therefore useful to consider the whole condition rather than the\n    swelling alone. Typical signs, causes and progression are described\n    in more detail on our\n    <a href=\"\/artroza\/\">osteoarthritis page<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>The knee is one of the joints that commonly becomes swollen<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Knee swelling can have many causes, including ligament or meniscus\n    injuries, overuse, osteoarthritis, inflammation within the joint or\n    problems in the surrounding tissues. Swelling alone therefore does\n    not reveal which structure is responsible.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    If knee pain is the main problem, it is useful to distinguish between\n    the most common causes. These are described in more detail on our\n    <a href=\"\/bolecine-v-kolenu\/\">knee pain page<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>What is a Baker&#8217;s cyst?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    A <strong>Baker&#8217;s cyst<\/strong> is a fluid-filled swelling at the\n    back of the knee. It is often associated with a condition inside the\n    knee joint that causes increased production of joint fluid, for\n    example osteoarthritis, arthritis or certain knee injuries.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    For this reason, a Baker&#8217;s cyst should not always be viewed merely as\n    an isolated lump behind the knee. It is also important to consider\n    what is happening inside the knee joint itself. More detailed\n    practical guidance is available in the section\n    <a href=\"\/navodila\/sklepi\/#oteklina-bakerjeva-cista\">Joint swelling and Baker&#8217;s cyst<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>When should a swollen joint be medically assessed?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Medical assessment is particularly important if the joint becomes\n    rapidly and markedly swollen, very hot or red, if pain is severe,\n    movement is markedly restricted or weight cannot be placed on the\n    joint. The same applies if swelling is accompanied by fever or other\n    general signs of illness.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    If swelling persists or repeatedly returns without a clear reason,\n    identifying the cause is more useful than treating the swelling alone.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"kdaj-je-oteklina-zaskrbljujoca\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to be concerned about swelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <p>\n    Most swelling after a minor injury is not dangerous and gradually\n    begins to settle. Greater caution is needed when swelling appears\n    <strong>suddenly, without a clear cause, increases rapidly or is\n    accompanied by other significant symptoms<\/strong>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Sudden swelling of only one leg<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Sudden swelling of one leg, particularly when accompanied by pain,\n    warmth or a change in skin colour, may among other causes indicate\n    <strong>deep vein thrombosis<\/strong>. This type of swelling should\n    not be managed only with local measures at home and requires prompt\n    medical assessment.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Red, hot and painful swelling<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Swelling where the skin is markedly red, hot and painful may be\n    associated with infection or a more pronounced inflammatory process.\n    Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell are particularly important\n    accompanying signs.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    More about distinguishing a local inflammatory response, infection\n    and other conditions is available in our\n    <a href=\"\/navodila\/vnetja\/\">guidance on local inflammation and swelling<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Swelling of the face, lips or tongue<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Sudden swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or throat may be caused by\n    an allergic reaction. If it is accompanied by <strong>difficulty\n    breathing, a feeling that the throat is closing, choking or rapid\n    deterioration<\/strong>, emergency medical help is required\n    immediately.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>Swelling with shortness of breath or chest pain<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    If leg swelling is accompanied by sudden shortness of breath, chest\n    pain or tightness, coughing up blood, fainting or severe weakness,\n    <strong>immediate emergency medical help<\/strong> is required. These\n    symptoms can occur with a pulmonary embolism.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>After an injury, function is also important<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    Medical assessment is particularly appropriate if the injured area\n    is visibly deformed, cannot be loaded, pain is very severe, swelling\n    increases rapidly or numbness, tingling, unusual paleness or a change\n    in limb colour develops.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    For less dramatic problems, the <strong>trend<\/strong> is also a\n    useful guide. If swelling does not gradually improve, repeatedly\n    returns or the overall condition worsens, its underlying cause should\n    be reassessed.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"smrekovit-in-oteklina-uporaba-v-praksi\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smrekovit and swelling \u2013 practical use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <p>\n    Smrekovit is not used in the same way for every type of swelling.\n    <strong>The first question is why the swelling developed.<\/strong>\n    Swelling after a sprain or blow, a swollen joint and oedema caused\n    by venous insufficiency are different problems and should not be\n    approached in exactly the same way.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    In our practical experience, Smrekovit is most commonly included for\n    <strong>soft-tissue injuries and joint problems<\/strong>, where local\n    application forms part of a broader practical approach. With leg\n    swelling caused by fluid retention, identifying and addressing the\n    underlying cause is more important.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Smrekovit Kontakt obloga name\u0161\u010dena s povojem na gle\u017enju\" class=\"wp-image-11858\" style=\"width:700px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima-18x10.webp 18w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima-599x337.webp 599w, https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/povoj-glezenj-365-prima.webp 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <h3>After an injury or with a swollen joint<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    In our practical approach, the usual first choice is\n    <strong>Smrekovit 365 Prima together with the Smrekovit Kontakt\n    dressing<\/strong>. The dressing allows the product to remain in\n    contact with the selected area for longer and reduces rubbing off\n    from the application site.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    If the dressing cannot be used or the user prefers not to use it,\n    Smrekovit 365 Prima or Smrekovit 365 Ekstra can be applied locally\n    several times. <strong>Because Smrekovit 365 Ekstra contains menthol\n    and camphor, it is used without the Kontakt dressing.<\/strong>\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    For fresh injuries, more detailed instructions are available in our\n    <a href=\"\/navodila\/poskodbe\/\">guidance for injuries and overuse problems<\/a>,\n    while joint swelling is covered in the\n    <a href=\"\/navodila\/sklepi\/\">guidance for joints, osteoarthritis and arthritis<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>For oedema and swollen legs<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    When swelling is caused by venous insufficiency or another form of\n    fluid retention, Smrekovit <strong>cannot correct the underlying\n    cause<\/strong>. Local application cannot repair damaged venous valves\n    or resolve heart, kidney or liver disease.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    For this reason, such swelling should not be approached by focusing\n    only on topical application. The cause of the oedema, appropriate\n    movement, leg elevation, suitable compression where indicated and\n    medical management of the underlying condition may all be important.\n    More detailed guidance is available in our\n    <a href=\"\/navodila\/prekrvavitev\/\">instructions for oedema, circulation and limitations of use<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3>How long do we assess whether the practical approach makes sense?<\/h3>\n\n  <p>\n    With injuries and joint problems, we usually make a first assessment\n    after about <strong>one week of sufficiently regular use<\/strong>.\n    We do not necessarily expect the swelling or other problem to have\n    disappeared by then, but we look for a clear trend of improvement,\n    such as easier loading, reduced tenderness or better mobility.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    If the condition does not change, becomes worse or does not follow\n    the expected course of a minor injury or known joint problem, it\n    makes little sense simply to continue indefinitely. At that point,\n    the <strong>underlying cause or diagnosis<\/strong> should be\n    reconsidered.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"pogosta-vprasanja-o-oteklini\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about swelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block\" data-no-translation>\n  <div class=\"smrekovit-faq\">\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>How long does swelling last and when does it go away?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        This depends on the cause. After a minor injury, swelling may\n        begin to decrease within a few days, while after a sprain or a\n        more significant injury it may persist for several weeks. The\n        trend is more important than an exact number of days: swelling\n        should gradually decrease while mobility and the ability to bear\n        weight improve.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>What helps with swelling?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        The appropriate measure depends on the cause. After a minor injury,\n        adjusting activity, gradual movement and elevating the affected\n        area are often useful. Compression is appropriate for some types\n        of swelling. With oedema caused by venous or other fluid\n        retention, addressing the underlying cause is most important.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>How can swelling after a blow or sprain be reduced?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        During the first few days, it is sensible to reduce activities\n        that increase pain and swelling, although complete rest is usually\n        unnecessary. Movement and loading can then be increased gradually\n        as the condition allows. With an ankle sprain, joint stability and\n        the ability to bear weight are also important. More information is\n        available on our\n        <a href=\"\/zvin-gleznja\/\">ankle sprain page<\/a>.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>Is swelling normal after an injury?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        Yes. A certain amount of swelling after a blow, sprain or other\n        injury is often part of the early tissue response. The size of the\n        swelling alone does not reliably indicate the severity of the\n        injury. Pain, mobility, stability, ability to bear weight and the\n        course over the following days are also important.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>Should swelling be cooled with ice?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        Ice can temporarily reduce pain, but there is no good evidence\n        that routine icing speeds the repair of injured tissue. At\n        Smrekovit, we generally do not recommend routine icing of injuries.\n        The reasoning and research are explained in more detail on our\n        <a href=\"\/hlajenje-ali-smola\/\">page about icing after an injury<\/a>.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>Is there a home remedy for swelling?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        There is no universal home remedy because swelling does not always\n        have the same cause. With minor injuries, adjusting activity,\n        appropriate movement and elevation are often sensible. If swelling\n        is caused by oedema, disease or impaired venous or lymphatic\n        drainage, local home measures alone cannot correct the underlying\n        cause.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>Does a cream or ointment make sense for swelling?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        It depends on the type of swelling. For injuries and joint\n        problems, Smrekovit is used locally in our practical approach,\n        most commonly Smrekovit 365 Prima together with the Smrekovit\n        Kontakt dressing. With leg swelling caused by venous insufficiency\n        or another form of oedema, a topical product cannot remove the\n        cause of fluid retention.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details>\n      <summary>When should swelling be medically assessed?<\/summary>\n      <p>\n        Medical assessment is particularly important for sudden\n        unexplained swelling, rapidly increasing swelling, sudden swelling\n        of only one leg, a very red and hot area, fever or an injury where\n        the limb cannot be loaded normally. Swelling of the face, tongue\n        or throat with difficulty breathing, or leg swelling together\n        with chest pain or sudden shortness of breath, requires emergency\n        medical attention.\n      <\/p>\n    <\/details>\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"translation-block article-footer-meta\" data-no-translation>\n\n  <div class=\"article-footer-meta__info\">\n\n    <div class=\"article-footer-meta__item\">\n      <span class=\"article-footer-meta__label\">Author<\/span>\n      <span class=\"article-footer-meta__value\">\n        Matic Konc, engineer in laboratory biomedicine\n      <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"article-footer-meta__item\">\n      <span class=\"article-footer-meta__label\">Last content update<\/span>\n      <time class=\"article-footer-meta__value\" datetime=\"2026-09-14\">\n        14 September 2026\n      <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"article-footer-meta__sources\">\n\n    <h2>Sources and professional background<\/h2>\n\n    <h3>Clinical and professional sources<\/h3>\n\n    <ul>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/oedema\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Oedema\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          NHS \u2013 causes of oedema, leg swelling, basic measures and warning signs\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          NHS \u2013 unilateral leg swelling, typical symptoms and the need for prompt medical assessment\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/sprains-and-strains\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Sprains and strains\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          NHS \u2013 swelling after soft-tissue injury, symptoms, course and basic management\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kingstonandrichmond.nhs.uk\/patients-and-families\/patient-leaflets\/ankle-sprain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Ankle sprain\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust \u2013 ankle sprain recovery; mild pain and swelling may persist for 3 to 6 months\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/bakers-cyst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Baker&#8217;s cyst\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          NHS \u2013 Baker&#8217;s cyst, its relationship with knee joint conditions and warning signs\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nice.org.uk\/guidance\/ng226\/chapter\/Recommendations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NG226 \u2013 osteoarthritis, symptoms and management\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39237265\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Cryotherapy for treating soft tissue injuries in sport medicine: a critical review\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          Racinais S. et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2024 \u2013 review of evidence on cryotherapy in soft-tissue injuries\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bjsports-2019-101253\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n          Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE\n        <\/a>\n        <span>\n          Dubois B., Esculier J.-F., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2020 \u2013 a modern framework for early soft-tissue injury management and progressive loading\n        <\/span>\n      <\/li>\n\n    <\/ul>\n\n    <h3>Smrekovit practical background<\/h3>\n\n    <p>\n      Sections concerning the practical use of Smrekovit products,\n      selection between Smrekovit 365 Prima and 365 Ekstra, use of the\n      Smrekovit Kontakt dressing, the approximate time for the first\n      assessment of progress and observations in marked oedema are based\n      on internal practical documentation, long-term counselling of users\n      and archived feedback.\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p class=\"article-footer-meta__note\">\n      Medical facts and general measures are presented separately from\n      Smrekovit&#8217;s practical observations. Local product use does not\n      replace diagnosis or treatment of the underlying cause of swelling\n      when this is required.\n    <\/p>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oteklina nastane zaradi kopi\u010denja teko\u010dine v tkivih in je po udarcu, zvinu ali drugi po\u0161kodbi pogosto del normalnega odziva telesa. Pomembneje kot oteklino samo je razumeti njen vzrok \u2013 saj lahko nastane tudi zaradi vnetja, motenega venskega ali limfnega odtoka in drugih zdravstvenih te\u017eav. Pri bla\u017ejih po\u0161kodbah se za\u010dne praviloma postopno zmanj\u0161evati, nenadna, hitro nara\u0161\u010dajo\u010da ali nepojasnjena oteklina pa zahteva ve\u010d previdnosti.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[153,160],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uporaba-v-praksi","category-poskodbe-in-preobremenitve"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2973"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11864,"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2973\/revisions\/11864"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smrekovit.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}