Edema Treatment for the Arm and Hand: What Is It, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Edema, or swelling, of the arm or hand can be a result of many different conditions. Edema may be caused by abnormal movement of fluids, such as blood and lymph, in or out of the extremity. Edema can be extra fluid that is part of the body’s inflammatory response. Some examples of causes might be trauma, tight wraps or braces, lack of use, or whole-body problems of swelling. It can occur from too much fluid into the arm and hand or not enough draining out. In contrast to edema that is all over the limb or body, swelling or extra fluid specifically within a joint is called an “effusion.”

Figure 1

Keeping your arm elevated decreases edema; do not leave arm in dependent position, which can increase swelling.

Causes

Edema of the arm or hand can be caused by:

• Trauma
• Surgery
• Acute injury
• Chronic condition
• Overuse
• Lack of use of limb
• Tight casts, wraps, or braces
• Systemic conditions
• Blood clot
• Dependent position of limb (below level of heart)

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of edema are:

• Fullness and swelling of the arm or hand
• When pushing on the area, the finger leaves behind an indented imprint
• Pain
• Decreased mobility
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Redness
• Shiny skin
• Decreased wrinkling on hand and fingers

Treatment

Check with your surgeon or doctor about swelling thatseems more than expected. Edema can be unpredictable following an injury or ailment of the arm or hand. It is normal to expect some edema initially following trauma, and it can potentially last weeks or months depending on the injury and the patient’s health.

A frustrating concept patients experience is that the swelling may be gone one day and back the next. Many patients relate that they have good movement when they go to bed, but then they wake the next morning stiff and swollen. This can be very normal. Edema can be part of a cycle that causes stiffness and limited mobility, or it can be the result of overuse or underuse of the hand or arm. One of the best things to decrease edema from injury or lack of use is active movement, which forces the contraction of muscles to move the fluid. This can be difficult due to the extra pressure and potential pain associated with the movement of the injured and swollen area.

Here are several treatments and options you can try:

• Talk to your surgeon or doctor for specific treatment options for your condition
• Retrograde massage
• Ice intervals or alternating ice and moist heat
• Compression within moderation of the upper extremity that still allows normal function (compression examples include Coban wrapping, edema gloves, and stockinette wrapping)
• Rest if overuse is the cause of the edema
• Activity modification
• Elevation at intervals
• Active exercises when pain allows

If edema or swelling continues to be painful or unchanged following these modifications and treatments, seek further help from your doctor, hand surgeon, or specialized hand therapist for more evaluation of the source and options specific to in-person treatment.

Lymphedema (swelling) in the arm or leg

‎Take very good care of your skin to:

• Prevent infections.
• Keep your skin healthy.

For the arm or leg that has lymphedema, or is at risk for lymphedema:

• Try not to get needles (injections or shots) or blood pressure measurements, especially if there is swelling.
• Treat cuts or burns quickly. Keep the area clean, use an antiseptic ointment (for example Polysporin) and cover with a bandage. 
• If you notice redness, warmth and pain in your skin, you may be getting an infection. Talk to your health care team right away. 
• Keep your skin clean and moisturized
• In the sun, wear sunscreen and long sleeves or pants 
• Wear loose fitting jewellery and clothing without tight cuffs or waistbands
• Do not carry a heavy bag on the arm with lymphedema
• Do not use extreme heat or cold, such as ice packs and hot packs. Check with your health care team before using saunas, steam baths and hot tubs.  
• Wear gloves when gardening or cooking so you do not get cuts or bug bites 
• Do not wax. Use an electric shaver. This is unlikely to cut your skin. If you have to use a razor, use clean, sharp blades with soap or shaving cream. 

Get a Compression Garment

These are sleeves, stockings or gauntlets (gloves). They are made of elasticized fabric that put pressure on your arm or leg. This pressure helps drain lymph fluid and stop it from building up.

You usually need to wear these garments all day.

To get a compression garment, a certified fitter needs to measure you

You can find fitters at medical supply shops or pharmacies. 

Check the B.C. Lymphedema Association website for a list of shops or ask your health care team (www.bclymph.org).

If you have lymphedema from breast cancer treatment, Pharmacare may pay for two compression garments each year for each arm that has lymphedema. To get coverage you must have had:

• A mastectomy (removal of one or both of your breasts) 

OR

• A lumpectomy (removal of a part of your breast)

Pharmacare does not cover compression garments for lymphedema that is caused from anything other than breast cancer treatment.

Try to Exercise Regularly

Exercising has many benefits:

• Increases muscle tone.
• May help move lymph fluid out of your arm or leg and reduce swelling.
• Helps keep a healthy body weight.

Exercise tips

• Talk to your health care team before starting an exercise.
• Pick exercise you enjoy.
• When you rest after exercise, raise your swollen arm or leg to help drain the excess fluid. 

See a Certified Lymphedema Therapist

• Specially trained Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists who can help you manage lymphedema. 
• They use compression bandages, a type of massage called manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and skin care.
• You can get a list of certified therapists from the B.C. Lymphedema Association website.
• Your health insurance may cover the cost.

Talk to a counsellor or go to a support group

Lymphedema can be very hard to deal with B. C. Lymphedema Association has support groups. 

• You can find online support through the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancerconnection.ca
• Call your local BC Cancer Patient & Family Counselling program if you want to talk to a counsellor.

why hands swell and how to quickly relieve swelling at home

Hand edema is a cause for concern if it occurs frequently or almost daily, is accompanied by additional symptoms, is aggravated or is not eliminated by simple methods.

Why the hand swells in adults

Swelling of the hand or both at once can be physiological or be a sign of pathology. It may be localized or spread to surrounding tissues. With swelling, the limb increases in volume, discomfort, soreness, and inconvenience when performing precise finger movements may be felt. It is difficult to remove the rings from the fingers or the watch from the wrist.

Swelling on the right or left arm occurs when blood or lymphatic vessels are compressed by items of clothing during sleep. Swelling of the fingers and hands, which is especially noticeable if you remove rings or watches, occurs after alcohol or excess salty foods, fluids at night.

Right arm

Slight local edema, if the mobility of the limb is preserved, is possible with bruises. In the area of ​​​​edema, there may be soreness, redness, bruises or abrasions may appear. If it is a hematoma, the edema will be more pronounced, a seal is determined under the skin, in the center of which fluctuation (fluid movement) is felt. Swelling is typical for sprains in the area of ​​the carpal, elbow or shoulder joint, with torn ligaments or their rupture. Severe pain is characteristic, which increases with movement, if the ligaments are torn, it is almost impossible to move the arm.

Edema is possible with fractures of bones, dislocations of joints. Then there is pain, limb deformity, complete impossibility of movement.

Edema may occur with frostbite of the fingers, burns, infectious processes in the area of ​​the hand, forearm or shoulder.

Left hand

Swelling of the finger of the left hand (as well as the right one) is possible with panaritium – suppuration in the phalanx. If it is a deeper lesion, the edema passes to the hand. Carbuncles or boils on any part of the arm can also lead to swelling. In this case, cyanosis or a purple area with suppuration is visible in the center of the inflamed focus. Edema is possible with suppuration of wounds, erysipelas, purulent arthritis and osteomyelitis.

Joint damage in other forms of arthritis also leads to tissue swelling. With rheumatoid arthritis, the joints of both hands are symmetrically affected, with gout, the fingers swell, with psoriasis, the joints of the fingers and hand.

Edema is typical for joint damage – thrombosis. In addition to edema, a feeling of fullness, pain, thickening of tissues, discoloration of the skin, crawling, and a change in sensitivity are typical.

Morning

Lymphedema is possible after breast removal surgery if axillary lymph nodes have been excised. Puffiness may increase or appear in the morning with malformations of the lymphatic capillaries, with post-burn scars, thrombophlebitis, lymphadenitis. Without treatment, swelling can become permanent.

Hand edema also occurs against the background of heart failure. In the morning they are minimal, intensify in the evening. In contrast, renal swelling of the hands is most pronounced in the morning and decreases or disappears during the day.

Pregnancy

Swelling in the fingers or hands is due to hormonal changes, especially as the pregnancy progresses. In the first trimester, a slight swelling of the fingers is typical, which is almost not noticeable. By the third trimester, swelling can be pronounced, making it difficult to wear rings, watches, bracelets. Puffiness gradually disappears in the first days after childbirth.

However, in pregnant women, pathological edema associated with hypertension, excess weight gain and the development of preeclampsia is also possible. Then the appearance of protein in the urine, a pronounced weight gain per week, severe swelling of the arms and legs, face, and body are typical.

How to relieve swollen hands in adults

Elevate the hand at home or for first aid.

If this is an injury, the hand should be immobilized with a bandage or splint, a cold compress should be applied to the affected area, and an anesthetic should be taken.

If these are diseases of the joints, it is necessary to use painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs locally and orally. If the swelling develops quickly, with severe pain and dysfunction of the hand, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Doctors have two options for treating edema – conservative and surgical. It depends on the cause, the severity of the condition, and possible complications.

Andrey Grachev MD, cardiologist, academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences

In case of injuries, emergency care, bandages, anti-inflammatory drugs, anesthesia are indicated. With vascular edema, antispasmodic, angioprotective and phlebotonic drugs are used.

Physiotherapy, gymnastics, massage or manual therapy are also prescribed.

If the injury is serious or severe lesions of blood vessels, bones, joints are detected, the edema is not eliminated, surgical interventions are used.

Popular Questions and Answers

Swelling can be short term and not life-threatening. But sometimes they are symptoms of dangerous conditions. cardiologist Andrey Grachev helped us figure out the problem.

Why is hand swelling dangerous?

Swelling is often a sign of a serious infection, cancer, heart or kidney problems. And if the swelling is persistent, then the disease has worsened or is rapidly progressing. Edema can be complicated by tissue malnutrition, skin inflammation, stretch marks, and discoloration.

When should I see a doctor for swollen hands?

In any situation when you notice swelling of the hands – in the morning, in the evening or during the day, you need a doctor’s consultation and at least a minimal set of tests and examinations. Edema itself is a symptom of problems in the body, and you need to find out what caused it.

Is it possible to remove swelling of the hands with folk remedies?

There are a number of diuretic decoctions and infusions, but it is extremely dangerous to use them on your own, not knowing what the causes of edema are. This can lead to a worsening of the situation, an electrolyte imbalance, a sharp decrease in pressure, dehydration and malaise.

In addition, various traditional medicines can cause allergies, worsen the condition, negatively affect the effects of the drugs taken and have a number of contraindications for taking. Folk remedies are not equal to the concept of “safe”.

What if only one arm is swollen?

If one arm is swollen, see a surgeon or physician, depending on the suspected cause. At the time of the examination, it is worth disturbing the sore arm less, giving it an elevated position so that the liquid flows more easily, do not sleep on this side, do not press the arm to the body. Also, do not massage the swollen hand, carry out any activities without the permission of the doctor.

effective ways and folk remedies to relieve puffiness

Puffiness on the face can ruin any flawless look. So that even skillful makeup will not hide the traces of a sleepless night or bitter experiences. It is not easier when the body swells. Swollen legs treacherously do not fit into your favorite shoes, just as it is not possible to fasten the suit. At these moments, we seem huge to ourselves and get even more upset. We list the ways by which you can quickly get rid of edema.

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Beauty hacks

Life hacks for health

edema

Health

Family

The body can retain water for various reasons. Sometimes they are quite serious and require a visit to the doctor. But it happens that puffiness has completely harmless explanations and it is in your power to eliminate them.

Contents of the article

Hiding swelling on the face is much more difficult than a pimple that popped up on the eve of critical days. Due to swelling under the eyes, the eyelids swell, heaviness appears in the legs, as well as in the head and the whole body, there is a burning desire to quickly remove them. Only express remedies for edema can help in such a situation.

At this moment, the main thing is to pull yourself together and not stand on the scales before you can quickly remove swelling from the body, because they will certainly show an exaggerated figure. After all, most likely, the matter is in simple water, which for some reason lingered in the body. Let’s look into them.

Why swelling occurs: medical reasons

Swollen eyes, legs became like barrels, and you need to try to quickly and easily remove swelling while life is still nice. Most often, the problem overtakes women during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. At this time, the uterus puts a lot of pressure on neighboring organs, slowing down blood circulation. As a result, sodium accumulates in the blood, which slows down the excretion of fluid from the body. How to quickly remove swelling during pregnancy, the gynecologist will tell you, but it is better, of course, to prevent the appearance of swelling.

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At least the task of how to quickly remove swelling from the face and body worries girls in the morning during premenstrual syndrome. Before the onset of critical days, hormonal changes occur, due to which the weight jumps by 2-3 kilograms. As a rule, these symptoms go away on their own.

Among the causes of edema, there may be the development of various diseases:

• heart failure
• varicose veins, thrombosis
• blockage of the hepatic veins, cirrhosis of the liver
• diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism
• joint inflammation, arthritis
• cancer
• allergic reactions to food, insect bites

90 046 In such cases, the occurrence of “bloated” problems is regular and does not depend much on lifestyle and nutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the question of how to quickly remove swelling under the eyes, on the abdomen or limbs, with a doctor.

How to get rid of swelling without medication

Many women, when they see swollen eyes in the mirror, immediately remember the cherished way to get rid of them quickly: they prescribe diuretics for themselves. Using these drugs to remove excess fluid from the body is not a good idea, especially if they were not prescribed by a doctor. Yes, this may fix the problem for a short time. But in the long term, this will result in more serious consequences, for example, kidney problems. Fortunately, at home, you can quickly remove swelling without drugs that have a bunch of side effects.

Quickly remove bags under the eyes and puffiness in the body

You can try to cope with puffiness quickly without resorting to drugs. Try these ways, they might help.

• Herbal tea. How to quickly remove swelling if the eyes are swollen? Use special fees purchased at the pharmacy. Your allies in this matter will be mint, lemon balm, cumin, fennel seeds, rose hips. Brew strictly according to the instructions and do not drink too much. In most cases, the expected effect will be achieved in a couple of hours.
• Salt bath. To use it to quickly remove bags under the eyes and swelling in the body, fill the bath. Dissolve about half a kilogram of salt in water. The water shouldn’t be too hot. Take a bath for no more than 10 minutes, and then sit or lie down in peace, wrapped in a warm blanket or bathrobe. With the help of this procedure, you can quickly remove swelling of both the legs and other parts of the body.
• Cool compress and ice cubes. Ice cubes made from water or herbal decoction will help out if you need to quickly remove swelling under the eyes in the morning. The situation will improve as soon as possible. Cool compresses or saline baths will cope with swelling on the arms or legs.

If we talk about the fight against puffiness in general, then it will be much better and safer to adjust your daily habits. In particular, change your diet, eat less spicy and salty, especially at night, and do not drink a lot of fluids before bed. Soon you will notice that swelling will appear less frequently and you will not have to urgently decide how to quickly remove them from your eyes, face or body.

The fastest way to get rid of edema

Swelling has an amazing property to appear at the wrong time. In the morning you need to get ready for work, but you have to take measures to quickly remove swelling from your eyelids and restore your attractive appearance. We have as many as six life hacks to help you.

Drink plenty of water

Drink plenty of water to get rid of excess fluid. Sounds strange, but it’s true. As soon as the body realizes that there is no fluid deficiency and is not expected, it will help you quickly remove the bags and return the swollen face back to normal. He will simply stop storing it for future use, and you will no longer have to think about how to remove puffiness.

It is recommended to drink about one and a half liters of water per day. If you find it difficult to do this, then add a slice of lemon or a little mint to the water. You can also prepare a delicious cocktail that brings a lot of benefits to the body. Please note: this method refers to preventive, i.e. does not answer the question of how to quickly remove swelling in the morning, but helps prevent their appearance.

Remove salt

Salt promotes fluid storage in the body. As soon as you stop abusing it, you will learn how to quickly remove swelling after sleep. The more salt we eat, the more reserves are formed in the body. The only true strategy in this case is to eat less of any salty and use less salt when cooking. The World Health Organization is already concerned about the fact that people in the world eat a lot of salt. Most of the inhabitants of the planet have semi-finished products, fast food, chips, sausages, confectionery, canned goods on the menu. Monosodium glutamate in them easily retains fluid.

WHO urges to reduce salt intake, otherwise the number of cardiovascular diseases in the world is off scale. Replace it with spicy herbs when cooking and refuse ready-made food, fast food and other sausages, where the amount of salt often exceeds all reasonable limits. The reward will be healthy blood vessels and pressure like that of an astronaut, and the question of how to quickly remove a swollen face will stop bothering you.

Sleep enough

Who would have thought that sleep also affects puffiness. It turns out that a normal sleep and rest routine helps the body maintain an optimal balance of water metabolism. How can you quickly remove swelling from your eyes if you went to bed at three in the morning and did not rest the prescribed norm! Severe lack of sleep will lead to the fact that in the morning you wake up and see that your eyelids are swollen, and it is not clear how to remove the puffiness.

It is believed that sleep is also important for the normal functioning of the nerves that control the kidneys. If the kidneys do not work properly, water is retained and edema appears. Normalization of the work of these organs allows you to quickly remove bags under the eyes and swelling.

Cut Carbohydrates

To get rid of puffy eyelids fast, eat as little carbohydrates as possible that cause them to appear. Their excess, especially those that are quickly digested, causing an increase in blood sugar and insulin levels, can also cause edema. An increase in the concentration of insulin in the blood causes a retention of sodium (and therefore salt) in the body, which, in turn, prevents the removal of water from the body. The result is puffy eyes and painful thoughts. as quickly as possible to remove unnecessary swelling.

What to do if swelling has become your constant companion? Look at your diet: a lot of sweet and starchy foods will, as expected, provoke swelling, and reducing them will help correct the situation. Remember that you can’t do without carbohydrates at all either; they, along with fats and proteins, must be present in the diet. Pay attention to whole grains and other “long” carbohydrates, which are more useful and will give you a feeling of satiety for a long time. Well, edema will provoke to a lesser extent.

Pay attention to magnesium

Magnesium is an essential trace element that is essential for many reactions in the body. It turns out that a lack of magnesium can also provoke fluid retention. According to experts, the main thing, no matter how much you want to quickly remove bruises and swelling from your legs, arms and whole body, do not administer magnesium supplements on your own. First, however, you should consult a doctor.

What you can do without harming your health is to introduce more foods with magnesium into your diet. Magnesium-rich foods include nuts, whole grains (we’ve already talked about them), dark chocolate (hooray!) and leafy vegetables. And although this method does not give an answer on how to quickly remove swelling and normalize puffy eyes, in the long term, drinking enough magnesium helps to reduce puffiness.

Add Vitamin B6

Deficiency in vitamin B6, which is important for the formation of blood cells, can also interfere with the normal elimination of water from the body. It is especially important that its level is normal for women, because its deficiency is most pronounced during menstruation. Scientists noticed that swelling before menstruation in women with vitamin B6 deficiency was stronger than in those whose vitamin levels were normal.

If the eyes are swollen in the morning for this reason, it is unlikely that it will be possible to quickly remove the bags, as a result of a sleepless night. You can start taking vitamin preparations after consulting with your doctor. And also increase the intake of B6 with food – eat bananas, walnuts, meat, liver and potatoes. Then the problem will gradually disappear.

Remember that all these methods are suitable for cases where swelling occurs occasionally and is not a serious medical problem. It’s one thing when you know how to quickly remove swelling after tears, and another to deal with the consequences of the disease. Severe swelling of the whole body or its individual parts, especially if they occur regularly, should be the reason for going to the doctor.

How to quickly remove swelling: cosmetics and procedures

• To quickly eliminate swelling in the eye area, creams designed specifically for this area will help. They usually contain caffeine and improve lymphatic flow, which reduces swelling.
• At home, you can try raw potato or parsley masks. They visibly reduce puffiness. Another tried-and-tested home remedy is cold compresses, which will both take away swelling of the eyes after tears and quickly refresh the face as a whole.
• If your face is swollen and you need to look good, you can contact a beautician.