Abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin is known officially as edema. This leads to a puffy appearance, often in a limb, most commonly a leg. People with water retention may notice that a ring on their finger feels tighter than in the past, or they might have difficulty in putting on shoes, especially toward the end of the day. They may also notice a puffiness of the face around the eyes, or in the feet, ankles, and legs. When water retention shows up, pressure on the skin, such as from the elastic band on socks, may leave an indentation that is slow to disappear.

How can you prevent a worsening case of water retention(http://conditionsinfo.mitamins.com/Water-Retention/Water-Retention-Symptoms.html)?

One of the ways to clear a case of water retention is to keep the limb affected at an elevated position. This allows fluid to drain more effectively from the congested area. To decrease fluid buildup in the legs, people should avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time without moving.

Is there a cure for water retention?(http://conditionsinfo.mitamins.com/Water-Retention/Water-Retention-Cure.html)

There are many causes of water retention. In some cases, the underlying problem (for example, congestive heart failure or preeclampsia of pregnancy) must be medically treated in order for the edema to resolve itself. In other cases (such as chronic venous insufficiency, edema following minor trauma, or lymphedema resulting from damage to lymphatic vessels caused by surgery and other medical treatments), it is possible with both conventional and natural approaches to focus specifically on the edema. However, it is imperative that unless your water retention problem is clearly due to minor trauma, it should never be treated until the underlying cause has been properly diagnosed by a doctor.