What are the common causes of swollen arms and hands. How can you ease swelling at home. When should you seek medical attention for hand oedema. What treatments are available for persistent swelling.

Common Causes of Swollen Arms and Hands

Swelling in the arms and hands, medically known as oedema, is often the result of fluid buildup in these areas. While it can be concerning, understanding the underlying causes can help in managing and preventing this condition.

Everyday Factors Contributing to Swelling

• Prolonged immobility or maintaining the same position
• Excessive salt intake
• Pregnancy
• Certain medications (e.g., blood pressure medications, contraceptives, antidepressants, steroids)

Other Potential Causes

• Injuries such as strains or sprains
• Sudden temperature changes, particularly extreme heat
• Insect bites or stings
• Skin allergies like angioedema
• Underlying health conditions affecting kidneys, liver, or heart
• Blood clots
• Infections
• Specific conditions such as lymphoedema or psoriatic arthritis

Are certain occupations more prone to hand swelling? Professions that require repetitive hand movements or prolonged periods of holding the hands in one position, such as office workers, musicians, or assembly line workers, may be more susceptible to hand swelling. Taking regular breaks and performing hand exercises can help mitigate this risk.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Oedema

Identifying oedema early can lead to more effective management and treatment. The primary symptoms of oedema in the arms and hands include:

• Swollen or puffy appearance of the arms or hands
• Skin that appears shiny or stretched
• Difficulty moving the affected area
• Skin that retains a dimple after being pressed (pitting oedema)

Can oedema be a sign of a more serious condition? While often benign, persistent or severe oedema can sometimes indicate underlying health issues such as heart, kidney, or liver problems. If swelling is accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention.

Self-Care Strategies for Reducing Swelling

In many cases, swelling in the arms or hands can be managed at home with simple remedies. Here are some effective strategies to ease the discomfort:

1. Elevate the affected area: Use pillows to raise your swollen arm or hand when lying down.
2. Keep moving: Gentle exercises can improve circulation and reduce swelling.
3. Practice hand exercises: Try raising your hand above your head while opening and closing your fist.
4. Massage: Gently massage the swollen area towards your body to encourage fluid drainage.
5. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out excess fluids.
6. Maintain skin health: Wash, dry, and moisturize your arms and hands regularly to prevent infections.
7. Contrast bath therapy: Alternating between warm and cold water baths can help stimulate circulation.

How long should you expect swelling to persist with home remedies? Typically, mild swelling should begin to subside within a few days of consistent self-care. If swelling persists beyond a week or worsens despite home treatments, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many cases of hand and arm swelling can be managed at home, certain situations warrant professional medical evaluation:

Consult a GP if:

• Swelling persists for several days despite home treatment
• The condition worsens over time

Seek Urgent Care if:

• Swelling affects only one arm or hand without an apparent cause
• The swelling is severe, painful, or develops suddenly
• The affected area is red or feels hot to the touch
• You experience swelling along with a high fever
• You have diabetes and notice swelling in your arm or hand

Call Emergency Services if:

• You experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• You feel chest tightness, heaviness, or pain

These symptoms could indicate a potentially life-threatening condition such as a blood clot in the lungs, requiring immediate hospital treatment.

What are the potential complications of untreated persistent swelling? Chronic swelling can lead to skin changes, increased risk of infections, and impaired mobility of the affected limb. In severe cases, it may contribute to the development of lymphedema, a condition characterized by chronic swelling and tissue changes.

Medical Treatments for Persistent Swelling

When swelling doesn’t resolve on its own or with home remedies, medical intervention may be necessary. The treatment approach will depend on the underlying cause of the oedema:

• Medication adjustment: If swelling is a side effect of certain medications, your doctor may recommend changing the dosage or switching to an alternative.
• Treating underlying conditions: Addressing any health issues causing the swelling, such as heart, kidney, or liver problems.
• Diuretics: These “water pills” can help reduce fluid retention and alleviate swelling.
• Compression therapy: Wearing special gloves or sleeves can help prevent swelling from recurring.
• Lifestyle modifications: Your healthcare provider may recommend weight loss or a low-sodium diet to manage swelling.

Are there any emerging treatments for chronic oedema? Research is ongoing in the field of lymphedema and chronic oedema management. Some promising areas include the use of specialized microsurgery techniques and the development of targeted pharmacological interventions to improve lymphatic function.

Prevention Strategies for Hand and Arm Swelling

While not all cases of swelling can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Maintain a balanced diet low in sodium
• Stay physically active to promote good circulation
• Take regular breaks and perform hand exercises if your job involves repetitive movements
• Manage underlying health conditions effectively
• Stay hydrated, but avoid excessive fluid intake
• Wear loose-fitting jewelry and clothing to avoid constricting blood flow

Can certain dietary changes help prevent swelling? Yes, adopting a diet rich in potassium (found in bananas, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens) and low in sodium can help maintain fluid balance in the body, potentially reducing the risk of oedema.

Understanding the Impact of Swelling on Daily Life

Persistent hand and arm swelling can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life and ability to perform daily tasks. It’s important to recognize these impacts:

• Reduced dexterity and fine motor skills
• Difficulty performing work-related tasks
• Challenges with personal care activities
• Emotional distress due to altered appearance and function
• Potential social isolation if swelling limits activities

How can individuals cope with the psychological impact of chronic swelling? Seeking support from healthcare professionals, joining support groups, and practicing stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness can help manage the emotional aspects of living with chronic oedema.

Future Directions in Oedema Research and Treatment

The field of oedema research is continually evolving, with new insights and treatment approaches emerging:

• Genetic studies to understand predisposition to certain types of oedema
• Development of more targeted and effective diuretic medications
• Advancements in imaging techniques for early detection and monitoring of lymphatic system issues
• Exploration of stem cell therapies for regenerating damaged lymphatic vessels
• Investigation into the role of inflammation in chronic oedema and potential anti-inflammatory interventions

What role might artificial intelligence play in the future of oedema management? AI could potentially assist in early diagnosis through image analysis, predict treatment outcomes, and help personalize treatment plans based on individual patient data and genetic profiles.

Understanding the causes, symptoms, and management of hand and arm swelling empowers individuals to take proactive steps in their health care. While many cases of oedema are benign and self-limiting, persistent or severe swelling should not be ignored. By recognizing when to seek medical attention and implementing appropriate self-care strategies, individuals can effectively manage this condition and maintain their quality of life. As research continues to advance our understanding of oedema, we can look forward to more targeted and effective treatments in the future.

Swollen arms and hands (oedema)

Swelling in the arms or hands (oedema) often goes away on its own. See a GP if it does not get better in a few days.

Common causes of swollen arms and hands

Swelling in the arms and hands is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas.

It’s usually caused by:

• staying in the same position for too long
• eating too much salty food
• being pregnant
• taking certain medicines – such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants and steroids

It can also be caused by:

• an injury – such as a strain or sprain
• sudden changes in temperature – such as very hot weather
• an insect bite or sting
• a skin allergy such as angioedema
• problems with your kidneys, liver or heart
• a blood clot
• an infection
• some conditions such as lymphoedema or psoriatic arthritis

Information:

Find out more about swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy

Check if you have oedema

Symptoms of oedema include:

Swollen or puffy arms or hands.

Credit:

DR P. MARAZZI / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/477302/view

Shiny, stretched skin.

Credit:

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/648284/view

How to ease swelling yourself

Swelling in your arms or hands should go away on its own, but there are some things you can try to help.

Do

• lie down and use pillows to raise the swollen area when you can

• move your whole arm and shoulder

• try raising your hand above your head while you open and close your fist

• massage your arm or hand towards your body using firm but not painful pressure – for example, start at your fingertips and massage towards your palm

• get some gentle exercise, like walking, to improve your blood flow

• drink plenty of water

• wash, dry and moisturise your arms or hands to avoid infections

• put your hands in a bath of warm water and then cold water to help move the fluid away from the area

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your arm or hand is swollen and:

• your arm or hand is swollen and it has not improved after treating it at home for a few days
• the swelling gets worse

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you have swelling in only 1 arm or hand and there’s no obvious cause, such as an injury
• the swelling is severe, painful or starts very suddenly
• the swollen area is red or feels hot to the touch
• your arm or hand is swollen and your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery
• you have diabetes and your arm or hand is swollen

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

• you feel short of breath or are struggling to breathe
• your chest feels tight, heavy or painful

You could have a blood clot in your lungs, which needs immediate treatment in hospital.

Treatment for swelling

Treatment for swelling or oedema that does not go away on its own will depend on the cause.

Possible treatments include:

• changing your medicine if this is the cause of the swelling
• treating any condition that is causing the swelling
• diuretics (water pills) to help reduce the swelling
• wearing special gloves or sleeves to stop any swelling from coming back (compression aids)

Treatment may also include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or going on a low-salt diet.

Page last reviewed: 02 March 2022
Next review due: 02 March 2025

Top 11 Causes of Hand Swelling

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Understand what is causing your hands to swell and how to treat it.

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Written by

Chandra Manuelpillai, MD.

Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine

Last updated May 25, 2023

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Most common questions

Causes

Next Steps

Emergency symptoms

Treatment

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Chandra Manuelpillai, MD.

Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine

Last updated May 25, 2023

Hand swelling quiz

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6 most common causes

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Deep Vein Thrombosis

Contact Dermatitis

Osteoarthritis

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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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Scleroderma

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Lymphedema

Hand swelling quiz

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Most common questions

Swelling in the hands can be attributed to a wide variety of factors, including injuries, infections, allergies, inflammation, and underlying medical conditions like kidney or liver disease. Blockages in the lymphatic system or circulatory problems like blood clots may also be contributing factors.

Read more about common causes

It is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you are experiencing hand swelling. A proper diagnosis can help determine the underlying cause of the swelling and facilitate the development of an appropriate treatment plan.

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If you’re experiencing hand swelling, it’s crucial to know when to seek emergency medical care. Although most cases of hand swelling can be managed on an outpatient basis, there are situations where it could be indicative of a serious underlying medical condition. If the swelling occurs suddenly, is severe, and is accompanied by intense pain, fever, or difficulty moving the affected hand, it could be a sign of a severe infection or blood clot. In such cases, prompt medical attention is necessary. It’s always better to err on the side of caution, so if you’re unsure whether your hand swelling requires emergency care, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.

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If you are experiencing hand swelling, it is important to seek medical attention if the swelling is severe, painful, or accompanied by other symptoms such as redness, warmth, or fever. If you believe the cause of the hand swelling can be explained by minor injury or allergy, a medical visit may not be necessary. Hand swelling has many different causes and could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires prompt treatment.  It is always important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment if there is uncertainty about the cause of the swelling.

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For mild hand swelling without accompanying symptoms, some simple home remedies such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation could be effective. However, if swelling persists, worsens, or is accompanied by fever or severe pain, seek medical attention immediately.

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What’s causing your hands to swell?

When hands swell, it’s hard to ignore. Especially as the swelling often comes with pain. And it may be more difficult to hold objects and carry out daily activities.

Hand swelling is typically caused by fluid retention, arthritis, or a rise in your body temperature. Some causes will improve on their own and are not cause for alarm. Others can become more serious and damage the structures of the hand. Hand swelling may also indicate an underlying illness.

Treatment depends on the cause of your hand swelling, but in general, following the R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) protocol can usually treat most causes of swelling. You may also need medication for underlying conditions.

Pro Tip

Hands are important for almost everything we do daily. When they are swollen, it can really interfere with your activities of daily living and decrease your quality of life. —Dr. Chandra Manuelpillai

Causes

1. Arthritis

Symptoms

• Pain (dull or burning), especially when using the hand (or after using it)
• Stiffness
• Swelling around the joint

Arthritis is a leading cause of swollen hands and fingers. It is an inflammation in the joints, and causes swelling and pain. As swelling and joint inflammation worsen, using the hands can become more difficult. Types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.

• Osteoarthritis: Breakdown of protective cartilage from daily wear and tear.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that causes swelling of joints and tends to occur in the hands first. It affects both hands at the same time.
• Psoriatic arthritis: Sausage-like swelling of one or more fingers associated with psoriasis (chronic inflammatory skin condition).
• Gout: Usually pain, swelling, and redness of a single or a few joints due to the formation of crystals in the joint.

2. Retained fluid

Symptoms

• Swelling of both hands and/or fingers

Your body has many processes that work to maintain the fluid balance. But sometimes you can have an accumulation of fluid, which leads to swelling in your hands. Fluid retention has a number of causes:

• Diet (eating too much salt or carbohydrates).
• A number of medical conditions including thyroid, liver, or kidney disease.
• Pregnancy can cause women to retain water. If you are pregnant and suddenly develop swelling, call your doctor. This may be a sign of a serious condition called pre-eclampsia, which causes an increase in blood pressure. If left untreated, it could be life-threatening for you and the fetus.
• Being perimenopausal or menopausal.
• Some medications may cause hand swelling including steroids, pain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen), hormonal therapy (estrogen, testosterone), diabetes medications, or blood pressure medications.

3. Dependent edema

Symptoms

• Swelling of one or both hands

Dependent edema is caused by your hand being held lower than the heart for a prolonged amount of time. This can be because of its position when sitting or sleeping. Or it can happen after being kept in one position for a long time—like when traveling.

Certain environmental conditions—heat, hot weather, exercising—cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to swelling. It should go away soon after changing the position of your hand or when no longer being exposed to the environmental factors. But you may also need to elevate your hands or use compression bandages.

4. Injuries

Symptoms

• Pain near the injury site
• Painful to move your fingers or joints
• Possible bruising, deformity, and/or swelling

Hand injuries include fractures (broken bones), dislocations (bones no longer aligned properly), sprains (overstretched ligament), and strains (overstretched tendon/muscles). You can also have crush injuries when the hand or part of the hand is crushed. This leads to swelling from muscle damage.

5. Infections

Symptoms

• Either local or generalized swelling and/or pain.
• Usually associated with red discoloration and/or warmth to touch.
• Sometimes has lesions or is oozing pus.

Infections can involve the skin, nail, tissue, joints, and/or tendons. This includes:

• Paronychia: infection involving cuticle area of nail.
• Felon: infection involving fingertip.
• Herpetic whitlow: herpes infection leading to blisters on fingers.
• Flexor tenosynovitis: infection of the tendon leading to sausage-like swelling and a bent finger. It causes severe pain if you try to straighten it.
• Septic joint: infection within the finger joint leading to pain, swelling, and redness, and being unable to move your finger.
• Cellulitis: infection of skin leading to pain, swelling, and redness.
• Bite wounds: infection from bite wounds most commonly from dogs, cats, or people.

Pro Tip

Finger and hand infections spread quickly and deeply. It is very important that these infections are diagnosed and treated early. Do not wait to see your doctor. Take care of your hands! —Dr. Manuelpillai

6. Lumps and bumps

Symptoms

• Swelling on your hands.
• Itching particularly with insect bites or allergic reactions.
• Nodules in the palm due to abnormal tissue thickening with Dupuytren’s disease. This leads to tightening of tissue, visible bands, and what’s called contractures (pulling of fingers—most commonly ring and pinky finger—towards palms).

Rather than swelling of the entire hand, you may notice a smaller mass. These have several possible causes:

• Cancer such as skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma) or sarcoma (bone or tissue cancer).
• Cysts such as a ganglion cyst (fluid-filled cyst usually by finger joint or wrist) and epidermal inclusion cyst (filled with skin protein).
• Non-cancerous tumors such as a lipoma (fat tumor), giant cell tumor (painless mass at end of bones near joint), neuroma (nerve tumor), and fibroma (connective tissue tumor).
• Warts: skin-colored growths due to human papillomavirus (HPV).

7. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Symptoms

• Pain which may initially be just by the affected vessel then spreads to the area
• Swelling which may initially be just by the affected vessel then spreads to the area
• Possible redness and/or warmth

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a clot forms in a blood vessel. The clot blocks blood flow and leads to swelling. The clot may be caused by trauma, infection, or catheter placement. It may also be caused by conditions that increase your risk of forming clots such as cancer, pregnancy, or a blood clotting disorder.

8. Lymphedema

Symptoms

• Swelling usually in one arm, but may be both

The swelling associated with lymphedema is caused by abnormal drainage of lymph nodes, which are part of your immune system. It is often due to a complication from cancer treatment such as removal of lymph nodes or damage from radiation treatment.

It could also occur because a cancerous mass is blocking lymphatic drainage. Or it can be due to a complication from other surgeries, as well as from infections. Elastic bandages are often used to decrease swelling and help with drainage.

9. Contact dermatitis

Symptoms

• Red, itchy rash on your hand
• Swollen skin
• Dry, cracked skin
• Blisters in serious cases

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by touching an irritating substance, such as soap, bleach, cleaning agents, or other chemicals. Treatment includes avoiding the substance and using steroid or barrier cream/ointment on hands until the dermatitis clears.

10. Scleroderma

Symptoms

• Pain
• Swelling or puffiness—fingers may resemble sausages
• Thickened, shiny, or discolored skin
• Pale or blue fingers that get numb when exposed to cold or stress

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease leading to thickening of skin. It causes swelling and stiffness of skin and joints of the fingers and hands. It’s often associated with Raynaud’s syndrome, which causes blood vessels to narrow, leading to a lack of blood flow. Scleroderma causes scarring of many body parts, leading to problems in the lungs, kidneys, heart, digestive tract, and other areas.

11. Thoracic outlet syndrome

Symptoms

• Pain in arm and/or hand
• Swelling in arm and/or hand
• Numbness which may include neck, shoulder, arm, and/or hand
• Cold fingers/hand
• Weak grip

Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by compression of nerves and/or blood vessels in the area between your collarbone and first rib. It causes pain, swelling, and numbness. This may be due to trauma, malignancy, pregnancy, or being born with an extra rib.

Causes of hand swelling in children

• Kawasaki disease: Hand swelling can be one sign of a syndrome that also involves high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a red tongue.
• Sickle cell disease: Swelling of the fingers and hands is a common sign of sickle cell disease in young children.
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19: Redness and/or swelling of hands and/or feet in children with a history of COVID-19 or exposure to the coronavirus. This may lead to multisystem organ involvement.

When to call the doctor

• You are concerned about a child who has hand swelling and has been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, or the child also has a fever.
• You are pregnant.
• You recently started a new medication.
• You were previously diagnosed with arthritis, sickle cell disease, or organ failure.
• You have a persistent growth on the hand.
• You develop open sores on the hand or fingers.

Dr. Rx

I can’t tell you how many times I have had a patient with a clear bite wound on the hand from a fight who adamantly denies it until I read them the riot act of the potential complication of delayed treatment. Your doctor is not there to judge you, so just be honest. —Dr. Manuelpillai

Should I go to the ER for hand swelling?

You may need to go to the ER if you’re having the following symptoms.

• You have a hand injury with tingling, numb, weak, or cold fingers.
• You have difficulty breathing or facial swelling.
• You have decreased ability to move one or more fingers.
• Your hand swelling occurred after a human or animal bite.
• You have pain and swelling after falling onto an outstretched hand.
• You are concerned about progression of an allergic reaction.

How to treat your swollen hands

At-home care

Care depends on the cause of the swelling, but in general, following R. I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) protocol will treat most causes of swelling. You may also need pain medications.

• Ice can help reduce swelling immediately after an injury.
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to help with swollen joints and pain.
• Compression with bandages helps decrease swelling and helps blood vessels remove fluid collecting in an area.
• Elevation will help blood vessels carry fluid away from the affected area.

Other treatment options

Your doctor may prescribe any of the following treatments, depending on the cause of the hand swelling:

• Procedure to remove a lump or mass.
• Treatment for an underlying medical condition.
• A diuretic medication to decrease the amount of fluid in the body.
• Immobilization using a sling, splint, ace wrap, cast, or splint.

Chandra Manuelpillai, MD.

Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine

Dr. Manuelpillai is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician. She received her undergraduate degree in Health Science Studies from Quinnipiac University (2002). She then went on to graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Sciences/The Chicago Medical School (2007) where she served on the Executive Student Council, as well as was the alternate delegate to the AMA/ISMS-MSS G…

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Edema of the hands occurs quite often, and can be a manifestation of physiological changes or one of the symptoms of pathology. When should edema alert and where to address the problem?

ALENA PARETSKAYA

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Swelling of the hand 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.

What you need to know about arm swelling

• Why your arm swells
• How to remove swelling
• Questions and answers

Why the hand swells in adults

Swelling of the arm or both at once may 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 in the right or left arm occurs when the 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 hand

A small 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 appear 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

Lymphatic edema is possible after operations to remove the mammary gland, if the axillary lymph nodes were 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

Puffiness 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, overweight 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 hand swelling in adults

At home or for first aid, you need to give your hand an elevated position.

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. In case of injuries, emergency care, bandages, anti-inflammatory drugs, anesthesia are indicated.

In 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

Edema can be a short-term phenomenon and does not threaten anything. But sometimes they are symptoms of dangerous conditions. Andrey Grachev, a cardiologist, 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.

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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, worsens 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 the 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 the axillary lymph nodes are 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, overweight 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 swelling of the hands in adults

At home or for first aid, you need to give an elevated position to the hand.

If this is an injury, the arm 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.

Andrei Grachev Doctor of Medical Sciences, 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 may 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.