why are my hands swollen
Swollen hands usually mean extra fluid or inflammation in the tissues of your hands, but the reasons can range from harmless to serious.
Common everyday reasons your hands are swollen
These are frequent, often less serious causes:
- Staying in one position too long (sitting, sleeping, long car/plane rides).
- Heat and sudden temperature changes, like hot weather or a hot shower.
- Eating a lot of salty/processed foods, which makes your body retain water.
- Normal exercise, especially walking/running with your arms hanging down.
- Pregnancy-related fluid retention.
- Mild injury, sprain, or overuse of the hand or wrist.
- Side effects of medicines (some blood pressure meds, antidepressants, diabetes drugs, steroids, hormone therapy, contraceptive pills).
These often cause puffiness that comes and goes, sometimes worse at the end of the day or after salty meals.
When swelling hints at a medical problem
Sometimes swollen hands are a sign of an underlying condition and need medical attention:
- Arthritis (like rheumatoid or osteoarthritis): swelling with joint pain, stiffness (often in the morning), and reduced movement; rheumatoid often affects both hands symmetrically.
- Carpal tunnel or nerve compression : swelling sensation, tingling, numbness, especially thumb, index, and middle fingers, worse at night.
- Injury or infection : one hand or one finger very swollen, red, warm, painful, maybe after a cut, bite, or trauma; infection can cause fever and feeling generally unwell.
- Allergic reaction or insect bite : rapid swelling, itching or hives, sometimes with lip/tongue or face swelling; any trouble breathing is an emergency.
- Heart, kidney, or liver problems : swelling in both hands plus feet/ankles, often worse later in the day; may come with shortness of breath, fatigue, or weight gain from fluid.
- Poor circulation or blood clot : one limb more swollen, with pain, color changes, or coolness.
- Lymphoedema : long‑term swelling due to lymphatic drainage problems, sometimes after cancer treatment or surgery.
If your swelling is new, unexplained, or keeps returning, a doctor should check you to look for these causes.
What you can do right now (not a diagnosis)
These general steps can help mild, short‑term swelling while you arrange proper medical care:
- Raise your hands above heart level several times a day (on pillows or the back of a sofa).
- Gently move and stretch your fingers and wrists to help circulation (unless movement is very painful).
- Cut back on salty foods and highly processed snacks and drink enough water.
- Avoid tight rings, bracelets, or sleeves that can restrict circulation.
- Take breaks from repetitive hand tasks (typing, tools, sports) and use ice packs wrapped in a cloth for 10–15 minutes if there’s a minor strain or overuse, avoiding direct ice on skin.
Do not self‑treat severe pain, obvious deformity, or suspected infection with home remedies alone.
When you should get urgent help
Contact emergency or urgent care immediately if you have any of these with swollen hands:
- Sudden swelling with difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or swelling of lips, tongue, or face.
- Swelling after a serious injury, crush, or possible fracture (severe pain, deformity, or you cannot move fingers).
- One hand or finger that is very red, hot, and painful, especially with fever or feeling very sick.
- Swelling with new chest pain, shortness of breath, or suddenly swollen legs and hands.
If you can, also see a doctor within the next day or two if the swelling lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or interferes with daily tasks.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.