Subcutaneous Edema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Subcutaneous edema (also called peripheral edema) is fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces just below the skin.

Clinically, the skin appears swollen and puffy, and can be indented with a finger, with the indentation refilling slowly (pitting edema). Depending on the cause, edema may be generalized (e.g., congestive heart failure, kidney failure, hypoalbuminemia) or localized (e.g., deep venous insufficiency, lymphedema, allergic reaction, insect bites, burns, fractures).

• Pitting edema: Skin indents with finger pressure and takes seconds to return to shape.
• Blanching: In non-edematous tissue, pressure causes brief whitening followed by quick color return.