Why Are My Hands Swelling? Common Causes and What To Do

Swelling in your hands can be a common and sometimes alarming experience. You might notice your rings feeling tighter, your fingers looking puffy, or an overall sense of discomfort. While hand swelling, also known as oedema, often resolves on its own, understanding why it happens and what you can do about it is important. This article will explore the common reasons behind hand swelling, self-care tips, and when it’s crucial to seek medical advice.

Common Causes of Swollen Hands

Hand swelling is frequently caused by fluid retention, where excess fluid builds up in the tissues of your hands. Several everyday factors can contribute to this fluid accumulation:

Prolonged Positioning: Staying in the same position for extended periods, especially standing or sitting still, can lead to fluid pooling in the extremities, including your hands.
High Sodium Intake: Consuming too much salty food can cause your body to retain water, leading to swelling in various areas, including your hands.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase fluid retention, commonly causing swelling in the hands, feet, and ankles.
Medications: Certain medications can have hand swelling as a side effect. These include some blood pressure medications, contraceptive pills, antidepressants, and steroids. If you suspect your medication is causing swelling, consult your doctor.

[Image of swollen or puffy hands. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/477302/view]

Beyond these common factors, swollen hands can also be triggered by other conditions:

Injury: A sprain or strain in your hand or wrist can cause inflammation and swelling as part of the body’s natural healing process.
Temperature Changes: Sudden shifts in temperature, particularly hot weather, can affect fluid balance and lead to hand swelling.
Insect Bites or Stings: An insect bite or sting can cause a localized inflammatory reaction, resulting in swelling around the affected area of your hand.
Skin Allergies: Allergic reactions, such as angioedema, can cause rapid swelling of the hands, face, and other body parts.
Underlying Medical Conditions: Problems with your kidneys, liver, or heart can sometimes manifest as swelling in the hands and other extremities due to fluid regulation issues.
Blood Clots: A blood clot in the arm can obstruct blood flow and cause swelling in the hand and arm. This is often accompanied by pain and requires immediate medical attention.
Infection: Infections in the hand can cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Lymphoedema: This condition involves a blockage in the lymphatic system, leading to fluid buildup and swelling, often in the arms and hands.
Psoriatic Arthritis: This type of arthritis can cause inflammation and swelling in the joints, including those in the hands and fingers.

Recognizing Oedema: Symptoms of Swollen Hands

Oedema in the hands is characterized by several noticeable symptoms:

Visible Swelling or Puffiness: Your hands may appear larger or plumper than usual.
Shiny, Stretched Skin: The skin on your hands might look tight, stretched, and shiny due to the underlying fluid buildup.
Difficulty with Movement: You may find it harder to bend your fingers or make a fist.
Tightness or Discomfort: Your hands might feel tight, achy, or uncomfortable.
Reduced Finger Joint Visibility: The knuckles and joints in your fingers may appear less defined due to swelling.

[Image of shiny, stretched skin due to oedema. Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/648284/view]

Self-Care for Swollen Hands: What You Can Do at Home

In many cases, swollen hands will improve on their own. However, there are several self-care measures you can take to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort:

Do:

Elevate Your Hands: Lie down and use pillows to raise your swollen hands above your heart level whenever possible. This helps to drain excess fluid.
Hand and Arm Movement: Gently move your whole arm and shoulder to encourage circulation.
Hand Exercises: Try raising your hand above your head while repeatedly opening and closing your fist to promote fluid drainage.
Massage: Gently massage your arm or hand towards your body, starting from your fingertips and moving towards your palm. Use firm but not painful pressure to encourage fluid movement.
Gentle Exercise: Engage in light activities like walking to improve overall blood circulation.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps your kidneys function properly and can reduce fluid retention in the long run.
Skin Care: Wash, dry, and moisturize your hands regularly to prevent skin infections, especially if the skin is stretched or compromised due to swelling.
Warm and Cold Water Immersion: Try alternating between soaking your hands in warm water and then cold water to help move fluid away from the swollen area.

Don’t:

Prolonged Static Positions: Avoid staying in the same position for long periods without moving around.
Tight Clothing: Do not wear tight clothing or jewelry around your wrists or fingers that could restrict circulation and worsen swelling.

When to Seek Medical Advice for Hand Swelling

While home care can be effective for mild hand swelling, it’s important to know when to seek professional medical advice.

Non-Urgent Advice: See a Doctor If:

Persistent Swelling: Your hand swelling doesn’t improve after a few days of home treatment.
Worsening Swelling: The swelling in your hand gets progressively worse over time.

Urgent Advice: Seek Immediate Medical Attention If:

Swelling in One Hand Only with No Obvious Cause: If you experience swelling in only one hand or arm and cannot identify a clear cause like an injury, it could indicate a more serious underlying issue like a blood clot.
Severe, Painful, or Sudden Swelling: Swelling that is severe, very painful, or appears very suddenly requires prompt medical evaluation.
Redness or Warmth: If the swollen area is red, feels hot to the touch, and is accompanied by pain, it could be a sign of infection.
Fever or Chills: Hand swelling accompanied by a high temperature or chills could indicate an infection or systemic illness.
Diabetes and Swollen Hands: If you have diabetes and experience hand swelling, it’s important to consult your doctor promptly as it could be related to underlying health complications.

Immediate Action: Call Emergency Services If:

Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing:
Chest Tightness, Heaviness, or Pain:

These symptoms could indicate a blood clot in your lungs, a serious condition requiring immediate hospital treatment.

Medical Treatments for Persistent Hand Swelling

If your hand swelling doesn’t resolve with self-care or is caused by an underlying medical condition, your doctor may recommend various treatments depending on the cause:

Medication Adjustment: If medication is identified as the cause of your swelling, your doctor may adjust your dosage or switch you to an alternative medication.
Treatment of Underlying Conditions: If the swelling is a symptom of an underlying condition like kidney, liver, or heart problems, treatment will focus on managing the primary condition.
Diuretics (Water Pills): These medications help your body eliminate excess fluid through urine and can be prescribed to reduce oedema.
Compression Aids: In some cases, special gloves or sleeves (compression aids) may be recommended to help prevent swelling from recurring, particularly in cases of lymphoedema.
Lifestyle Modifications: Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes such as weight loss or a low-salt diet to manage fluid retention and reduce swelling.

Understanding why your hands are swelling is the first step towards finding relief. By being aware of the common causes, self-care strategies, and when to seek medical help, you can effectively manage hand swelling and maintain your overall well-being.

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