It's happened to all of us at some point – after a long day at work, when we take off our socks, we find deep red marks on our ankles or feet. Often, we dismiss it, thinking the socks were simply too tight. However, if this is happening to you every day, it might not just be tight socks, but a sign of a serious underlying health problem.

In medical terms, this swelling in the legs is called 'edema' or water retention (When to worry about sock marks on legs). When our body is unable to eliminate excess fluid, it accumulates in the legs due to gravity. Let's look at three serious diseases that your socks might be indicating.

Poor Heart Health
The biggest reason for deep marks and swelling on the legs can be a weak heart. Our heart's job is to pump and draw deoxygenated blood from the legs back up to the rest of the body. When the heart weakens, it cannot pump the blood properly. As a result, blood and fluid accumulate in the legs, causing swelling and leaving deep sock marks.

Kidney Problems
The kidneys are the body's 'filter'. Their job is to remove excess water and salt from the body. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, they cannot remove this excess water. This water accumulates in the body, and its effects are first visible in the legs and under the eyes. If you experience fatigue and changes in urination along with sock marks, consult a doctor immediately.

Liver or Vein Weakness
A third major cause could be liver problems. When the liver is damaged, the body produces less of a protein called 'albumin', which helps keep blood within the blood vessels. Additionally, weak veins in the legs can also be a contributing factor. When the veins in the legs weaken, they are unable to send blood back to the heart, causing swelling in the legs.

When is it normal and when is it a sign of illness?
Sock marks aren't always a sign of illness. Sometimes, they can be caused by eating too much salt, sitting in the same position for hours, or simply wearing tight socks. However, if you're wearing comfortable socks and the marks are still deep, the swelling leaves an indentation when pressed, or this has been happening for several days, do not ignore it. This is your body's alarm; listen to it and get a checkup from a doctor.

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