Blisters Caused by Water Retention

Water retention is caused by excess fluid building up in the tissues of your body. This fluid buildup, known as edema, may cause swelling in the area affected. Severe water retention may cause blisters when the fluid becomes trapped under your skin.

Accumulation of Fluid in Your Body

Leakage of fluid from your capillaries can signal your kidneys to slow production of urine. This causes more fluid to build up in your system and more pressure in your capillaries, which causes more leakage. Your capillaries may leak fluid because they are damaged or if the pressure within them is high. If your level of serum albumin, a protein in your blood, is low, your kidneys will retain more sodium and fluid. These actions cause fluid to accumulate and water retention occurs.

What Causes Water Retention?

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Some of the reasons you may retain water include eating salty foods, standing or sitting in one position for a long period of time, hormone changes from premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy. Some medications also may cause swelling. These include vasodilators used to open blood vessels, commonly used in blood pressure regulating medications. Calcium channel blockers. also known as calcium antagonists, a blood pressure regulating medication, may cause water retention. Thiazolidinediones, a form of diabetes medication, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also may cause you to retain water.

Symptoms of Water Retention

Blisters on the skin are a sign of severe water retention. This is caused by fluid being trapped under the skin and gathering in blisters. If blisters appear, they may break and leak fluid. Other symptoms include swelling of the ankles, legs, face or other areas of the body. Pitting edema is characterized by a dimple forming when you push on your skin. Your skin may become shiny or look stretched. A noticeable and unexplained increase in the size of your abdomen may be a symptom of water retention.

Serious Symptoms

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If you experience shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing or chest pain, you may have developed water retention in your lungs. This may be a condition called pulmonary edema and is life-threatening. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should seek medical help immediately if you develop these symptoms 1.

Treatment for Water Retention

Your doctor may prescribe medications that will help your body to release the built-up fluid. These are diuretics, and they help your kidneys increase the flow of urine. Your doctor may suggest that you wear pressure stockings if you have water retention in your legs. These stockings will help to squeeze the fluid out of your legs and keep fluid from accumulating. Resting with your legs raised above your heart may help your lymphatic system drain the excess fluid from your legs. Limiting salt in your diet may be a course of action that your doctor recommends. You may prevent swelling in your legs by not sitting or standing in one place for a long period of time. According to the Mayo Clinic, the movement of your leg muscles will help prevent fluid from building up 1.