- Urgent Care
Edema
Edema (swelling) treatment available online today
In order to treat your edema, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to get a prescription to reduce swelling. Get a new prescription to treat edema or refill an existing prescription today.
Book an appointment
Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
Insurance accepted, but not required
Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy*
*PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of edema. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion.
Most major insurance plans accepted
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Paying without insurance? New patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $99 for members.
Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected] or call (888) 564-4454 to talk to a PlushCare specialist.
3 simple steps to request treatment for edema today
Step 1
Book an edema treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your edema symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up a prescription to treat edema.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Edema treatment pricing details
How pricing works
To request edema treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $99
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Edema (swelling) treatment FAQs
What is pulmonary edema?
Pulmonary edema happens when excess fluid collects in your lungs. Pulmonary edema can make it difficult to breathe. You may also experience:
Rapid heartbeat
Coughing up foamy spittle
Feeling suffocated
Chest pain
Pulmonary edema is a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 or seek immediate medical care if you experience any symptoms.
What is the best treatment for edema?
The best treatment for edema depends on the underlying condition. Lifestyle changes and diuretics can be especially helpful for people with heart failure and liver disease.
How to drain edema fluid?
You can drain excess fluid at home by reducing your salt intake and elevating the affected area.
If swelling persists after home treatments, book a phone or video appointment with a virtual PlushCare doctor to discuss your symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose edema, identify any underlying conditions, and prescribe treatment if needed.How much does edema treatment cost?
The cost of edema treatment depends on the type of edema, severity, and underlying condition. The average cost for 30 capsules of brand-name diuretics is approximately $177 without insurance, but generic versions can help you cut costs. With a PlushCare membership, you can access our prescription discount card, allowing you to save up to 80% on qualifying prescriptions.
How can I treat edema at home?
The best home treatments for edema include:
Move and use the parts of your body affected by edema, especially your legs.
Elevate the affected area above your head to encourage fluid drainage and reduce swelling.
Massage the affected area using firm pressure.
Wear compression stockings to prevent future swelling.
Reduce your salt intake and avoid processed foods.
Does edema go away by itself?
Yes, mild edema usually goes away by itself, especially if you drain the excess fluid by elevating the affected area above your heart. More severe edema often requires medical treatment, such as diuretics, to reduce swelling and fluid buildup.
If you have edema, book an appointment with a board-certified PlushCare physician to discuss your treatment options. If needed, your doctor can prescribe diuretics online to treat edema.
Learn about edema (swelling)
Edema happens when fluid builds up in your body's tissues, often in your feet, legs, or ankles. Edema can also affect your hands, face, or any other part of the body.
Fluid retention can be the result of medication, pregnancy, or underlying health conditions. When edema is a sign of an underlying disorder, the underlying cause will require treatment.
There are several types of edema, including:
Peripheral edema: Peripheral edema usually affects the legs, feet, and ankles. This type of edema can indicate problems with your circulatory system, kidneys, or lymph nodes.
Pedal edema: Pedal edema affects the lower legs and feet, making it harder to move around. It primarily affects pregnant women and older adults.
Lymphedema: Lymphedema causes swelling in the arms and legs. It's often caused by damage to your lymph nodes, which can happen due to radiation treatment.
Pulmonary edema: Pulmonary edema is a medical emergency. It happens when fluid builds up in the lungs, making it harder to breathe.
Cerebral edema: Cerebral edema happens when fluid builds up in the brain due to head trauma, blocked blood vessels, or tumors. It can have serious complications.
Macular edema: Macular edema happens when fluid builds up in the eye's macula. It happens when damaged blood vessels in the retina leak fluid into the macula.
Edema (swelling) causes
Edema occurs when your capillaries leak fluid. When too much fluid builds in your body's tissues, swelling occurs.
There are several potential causes of edema. Some serious health conditions that can cause edema include:Chronic heart failure
Liver disease and cirrhosis
Thyroid disease
Blood clots
Severe allergic reactions
Certain cancers and cancer treatment
Other factors that can cause edema fluid buildup include:
Chronic venous insufficiency
Obstructive sleep apnea
Prior resection of your lymph nodes
Previous radiation treatments
Taking certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers
Edema commonly occurs among pregnant women as fluid volume increases. However, rapidly developing edema can cause preeclampsia, which requires immediate medical care.
Edema symptoms
Because edema causes fluid buildup under the skin, the main symptom of edema is swelling. If you have edema, you might notice that the swollen area becomes puffy.
Common symptoms of edema include:Swelling under the skin, especially in the legs or arms
Shiny or stretched skin surrounding the swollen area
Skin that retains a dimple after pressing down the affected area
Difficulty walking if your legs, feet, or ankles are swollen
A tight or full feeling in your swollen body part
Coughing or trouble breathing
*Disclaimer: You should seek emergency attention immediately if you are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or chest pain.
How to treat edema (swelling)
If you notice swelling, it's important to talk to your doctor to identify the underlying cause and get your edema diagnosed. Temporary edema can be improved by reducing your salt intake and elevating the affected limb.
Other helpful home remedies to reduce edema include:
Avoid processed foods that are high in salt.
Get regular exercise to prevent swelling.
Reduce your alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
Wear support stockings to increase blood flow.
Try acupuncture or massage therapy.
Edema medication
Depending on the underlying cause of edema, your doctor may prescribe medical treatment to reduce fluid retention. Diuretics can be especially helpful during early onset edema if you have congestive heart failure or liver disease.
Diuretics help the kidneys excrete more water and sodium. It's important to use diuretics as directed, as removing too much fluid quickly can lower your blood pressure and impair kidney function.
You'll need to empty your bladder more frequently when taking diuretics. However, other side effects are uncommon.
How to prevent edema
Since edema often occurs due to underlying health conditions, it's not always possible to prevent edema. However, you can take steps to lower your risk factors:
Stay physically active.
Eat a healthy diet and reduce salt intake.
Follow your doctor's advice regarding any conditions that cause edema.
When to see a doctor for edema
While fluid retention typically improves with home treatment, excess fluid can be a sign of a serious medical condition. If you notice swelling that persists for a few days, it's important to talk to your doctor.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Shortness of breath
Trouble breathing
Chest pain
Swelling that worsens, even after home treatment
Leg pain after sitting for long periods
Sudden edema during pregnancy
Difficulty breathing and chest pain may be signs of pulmonary edema, which is a medical emergency. In addition, persistent leg pain may indicate a blood clot deep in your vein (deep vein thrombosis).
Related conditions to edema
Congestive heart failure
Kidney disease
Liver cirrhosis
Pregnancy
Premenstrual disorder