Have you sprained your foot and don’t know what to do? Sprains or strains in the feet are quite common, as they can be done in many ways and without even realizing it with a quick gesture we have already injured ourselves. In addition, they can be very painful and a doctor should review us as soon as possible to make sure the severity of the injury and thus begin treatment promptly. But, of course, you also have to know how to act, what to do, what should never be done in some cases and, of course, know some remedies that help us heal more quickly and relieve pain. For all this, in this FastlyHeal article, we want to share with you everything you need to know about foot sprains: what to do and remedies.
Table of Contents
Causes and symptoms of ankle sprain
Foot sprains that damage the muscles, ligaments, and joints in this area are called foot or ankle sprains, as they are usually more common in this part of the body but there may be damage in other parts. Among the most common causes of foot sprains are the following:
- Sport: especially if you do not warm up well before starting to exercise, it is quite easy for there to be a gesture, imbalance or a bad jump that at some point leads to this injury.
- Overexertion: whether in sports or in an activity that requires strength and endurance, such as a move, if we force the ankle joint too much it is likely that we will end up with an injury in it.
- Falls and bumps: trips and wrong gestures are the most common causes of sprains. The severity of the injury will depend entirely on the intensity of the blow and the angle at which it occurred.
In addition, it is good to know the symptoms of an ankle sprain so that you can recognize it and act quickly:
- Tenderness in the foot
- Pain to varying degrees depending on the severity of the injury
- Inflammation
- Bruises
- Rigidity
- Inability to walk, support the foot and support the weight of the body
What to do in case of a sprained foot
When we twist a foot, whether we feel pain in the toes, ankle or instep, the most important thing is not to remove the shoe or the sock if we wear it until we are sure of gravity or until a doctor does it . If we do it directly, the injury can get very bad in a short time and it will be much more painful.
If we have been able to remove the footwear well, it will be necessary to apply cold with a little ice immediately and, as soon as possible, go to the doctor without forcing the foot or supporting it. If we have crutches or canes, it will be better to use them until the doctor can review us and recommend the best to treat this problem.
In addition, you can use an elastic band or bandage to make a compression on the injured part that will help you rest and that the pain is less than if you do not use a bandage. If you have been to a hospital, they are likely to do it to you. The best treatment for sprained ankle or other areas of the foot is undoubtedly to follow the doctor’s guidelines, get plenty of rest and, if necessary, do rehabilitation.
Pay attention because below we are going to detail the best remedies for foot sprains that you can apply in addition to the prescribed medical treatment.
Cold for foot sprains
As we have already commented in the previous section, one of the first things to do is apply cold to the joint or part of the foot that has received the blow or has suffered the twist. In this way we can prevent it from becoming very inflamed and we will achieve that the swelling goes down little by little, while the pain is notably relieved as the area is numbed by the cold. It is undoubtedly one of the best home remedies to treat this problem, but it is also a medical measure that must be applied urgently if we want to avoid a worsening.
To do it well, you should put ice in a bag or use an ice block or cooled thermal bag in the freezer, but the important thing is that you wrap the ice with a clean cloth to apply it on the skin without this low temperature causing burns. Leave it on for 15 minutes on the affected part while raising your foot, you can lay it down somewhere with a cushion under your foot to be more comfortable. When you raise your feet it is important that if it is possible for you to do it above the level of your heart, if while sitting it is difficult for you then lie down with your entire body and raise your leg, in this way you will achieve less circulation in the affected part and let the swelling go down.
It is very important that you do this immediately or shortly after this happens to you, although it continues to serve during the first 24 hours but it will be more effective at the beginning.
Hot compresses
One of the things that is one of the best home remedies and we must do when we twist an ankle or foot is that when the inflammation goes down we must apply warm compresses in this area. As you have to wait for the swelling to subside, this remedy should not be applied during the first 24 hours, it will be only afterwards when it is effective and, in fact, if it is used before it will be counterproductive.
The humid heat will stimulate the circulation of the area where it is applied and this will make it heal more easily. But it is important not to overdo it, to do it only a couple of times a day well spaced and, of course, to use a clean and fine cloth to wrap the compress and not to apply the heat too directly and to avoid burns.
Water baths with salt and herbs
If you wonder how to cure a quick foot sprain, you should know that it can only be this way if the injury is very minor, in case it is more serious it is clear that rest and have a lot of patience is necessary. But, one of the best natural remedies for sprains is baths with salt water and anti-inflammatory herbs . It is important that this remedy is used only when the inflammation has gone down enough and that you follow these steps:
- Boil a whole pot of water and add a handful of salt and a few leaves of mint and mint.
- After 15 minutes, remove from the heat and let it warm.
- Pour the mixture into a basin that can hold your foot and soak it for 15 to 20 minutes.
- When removing the foot and drying it, do so with gentle touches and with care so as not to worsen the injury.
- You can do this balo 2 or 3 times a day until you feel better.
Green clay for foot sprains
Green clay is another of the best options as a home remedy to treat sprains due to its great anti-inflammatory and soothing capacity. It is important to use this remedy only when the inflammation is no longer very severe and not right at the beginning. To do this you will have to dilute a little of this clay in a little water to make a paste and put it on the injured part. Put a bandage, stocking or sock on top to hold this mixture as long as possible. In fact, the ideal is to apply it before going to sleep so that it can act all night. The next morning remove the bandage and with alternating hot and cold water remove all the clay.
Cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar for the kinks
Finally, using cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar to reduce inflammation is a very good option, in addition to the so-called cider vinegar will help you keep the skin in this area disinfected avoiding possible infections if at the time when You sprained yourself, you also made a small wound. To make this natural remedy for foot sprains, you just need to follow these simple steps:
- Simmer a tablespoon of cayenne pepper in a quarter of a saucepan of water and add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar.
- Let it all boil together for 10 minutes and remove it from the heat.
- When it is warm, rub, a gentle and circular massage, on the affected area.
- You can also soak a clean cloth and wrap the area with it and let it act until it dries.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Foot sprain: what to do and remedies , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.