Difference between Pitting Edema and Non-Pitting Edema

The Scientific World -April 26, 2020

Edema is a medical term for swelling which occurs when small blood vessels leak fluid into nearby tissues.

When the swollen skin is pressed with a finger and this may leave a pit in the skin, this is called pitting edema. When the swollen area is pressed and it doesn’t leave a pit in the skin, this is called non-pitting edema.

Normal foot and foot with edema

What is the Difference between Pitting Edema and Non-Pitting Edema?

What is Edema?

Edema is a swelling which occurs when the fluid that accumulates in the body's tissues leads to fluid retention or swelling.

Water makes up about 60% of the human body weight. Normally, the majority of the amount of water is inside the cells of the body, and about a third of this amount is outside the cells, while about 25% of this amount constitutes blood fluid (plasma), and the rest of the intercellular fluid.

Edema is characterized by an increase in the amount of cytoplasm (the fluid inside the cell). Edema can be seen in the outward appearance only after a few liters of liquid have accumulated.

Edema is swelling that occurs when small blood vessels leak fluid into nearby tissues. If you are one of those people who are suffering from this condition, then take help from a doctor even if it is online. For taking online help, visit Helpcare+, as they have the best doctors.

Edema appears as local swelling, for example: edema of the abdominal cavity called "ascites", edema of the pleura (The pleura is a thin, fine serous membrane, covering the lungs (visceral pleura) and lining the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura).

There are many things that may cause edema such as warm weather, thyroid conditions, lymphatic system, etc. Edema is classified as pitting edema and non-pitting edema.

Read also: Mechanism of Pitting and Non-Pitting Edema

Pitting Edema vs. Non-Pitting Edema

Pitting Edema:

Pitting edema

What is Pitting Edema?

When the swollen skin is pressed, it may leave a pit in the skin, this is called pitting edema, so it responds well to elevation and diuretics.

Pitting edema is either caused by systemic problems with your heart, kidneys, or liver function or a localized problem with veins in the affected area.

Pitting edema can occur anywhere on the body but it generally affects areas of the lower body including the feet, legs, and ankles.

Pitting edema is most common in the lower body, particularly in the legs, feet, and ankles.

Swelling in your body can usually make the skin feel tight, sore, or heavy due to extra fluid collecting in it.

Symptoms of pitting edema occur case by case, depending on the cause, but they may include:

Pain and aching in the swollen areas
Heart murmur, chest pain or swelling in the limb
Skin that is warm or hot to the touch
Skin that feels puffy or stiff
Shortness of breath and unexplained coughing
Tingling or burning sensations around the swelling
Fatigue or decreased stamina
Numbness and cramps
Bloating and water retention
Low blood protein, especially if the swelling is in your abdomen

Pitting edema is caused by a variety of issues such as: low protein levels, heart valve problems, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), venous insufficiency, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, severe lung disease and liver disease.

Non-Pitting Edema:

Non-pitting edema

What is Non-Pitting Edema?

When the swollen area is pressed with a finger and it doesn’t leave a pit in the skin, this is called non-pitting edema.

In non-pitting edema, once the pressure is removed, the skin returns to its swollen shape and does not create an indentation in the skin.

Non-pitting edema can be diagnosed very easily because it is more likely to be caused by three specific conditions:: lymphedema, myxedema, and lipedema.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling in one of your arms or legs due to the build-up of lymph fluid in the body or lymphatic system blockage. Sometimes swelling occurs in both arms or both legs.

Some people are born with lymphedema while others develop it after surgery or as a secondary condition to a bigger issue.

Myxedema

Myxedema refers to skin swelling and inflammation of the soft tissue that occurs when your body does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

Most people with myxedema suffer from hypothyroidism – both severe and advanced cases.

Lipedema

Lipedema is a disorder that results in non-pitting edema. Lipedema usually occurs in women, almost exclusively and it is characterized by symmetrical enlargement of the legs due to the accumulation of fat under the skin.

When fat cells build up abnormally in the hips, buttocks, and legs, they tend to retain more fluid.