Although chocolate is a wildly popular sweet treat, for some individuals, its effects can overshadow the enjoyment. For example, some types of chocolate contain significant amounts of sodium that can cause your feet to swell, particularly if you have a pre-existing cardiovascular problem. A paradoxical reaction can also occur, called angioedema, which is similar to an allergic reaction and can also cause mild swelling under the surface of your skin. Regardless of whether you suspect chocolate is to blame for the swelling in your feet, see your doctor for a diagnosis and to rule out other serious medical conditions.
Symptoms
Symptoms of edema, the medical term for swelling, include an unusual puffy appearance in the feet. In addition, your skin may look like it has been stretched and may appear shiny due to the underlying pressure. An easy way to test to see if you are retaining water is to gently press a finger in the skin. If the skin turns white and remains indented after you remove your finger, it's likely you have excess water trapped in your tissues.
Effects
Swelling of your feet can indicate serious underlying medical illness, such as cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. If your swelling is caused by angioedema or an allergic reaction to chocolate, ignoring the condition can allow it to escalate into more serious swelling of the mucus membranes of your respiratory system. Edema, according to the Mayo Clinic, can also lead to itching of the stretched skin, impaired circulation, lesions that can become infected and permanent scarring. Depending on how much water you are retaining in your feet, you may also experience difficulty walking, putting on shoes and lifting your legs.
Treatment
Treatment for swelling in the feet requires identification of the cause. If you experience swelling that coincides with consumption of chocolate, consider avoiding the food for a few days and monitoring any changes. If the chocolate you enjoy contains sodium, choose a lower or no-sodium version instead. Your physician may also prescribe medications called diuretics that can remove excess water from tissues. This can relieve discomfort from swelling, such as itching and difficulty walking. If you have an allergy to chocolate, you should avoid eating it -- and ask your physician about over-the-counter or prescription medications to treat an allergic response, such as steroids and antihistamines.
Considerations
Most people can enjoy chocolate without adverse side effects, and there are steps you can take to reduce the effects of swelling in your feet. These include elevating your legs above your heart a few times a day for approximately 30 minutes. In addition, massaging your feet and legs to gradually move the fluid back into the circulatory system can help reduce swelling. If you're prone to swelling in your feet, ask your doctor about compression socks that can force fluid back out of the tissues. Avoiding extreme changes in temperature can also help you decrease episodes of edema.
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