Swollen Hands and Fingers: 7 Causes You Shouldn’t Ignore

You may have noticed that your fingers are tight when you wake up and try to reach for your coffee. You may also find that your favourite ring is not sliding over your knuckle or your hands look larger. If you are experiencing Swollen Hands/fingers you may be wondering why it is happening.

Swollen hands can make everyday tasks uncomfortable. You may find that tasks such as typing, opening jars, holding onto the steering wheel and putting on jewellery can become more difficult to do. Whilst they may not be causing you much pain, you may find it difficult to ignore.

Thankfully, common everyday factors can cause swelling. However, injuries, medication, inflammation and certain medical conditions can also cause swelling. Knowing the 7 possible causes can help you identify useful clues and know when to seek professional advice.

What Makes My Hands Swell Without Warning?

Fluid retention can cause your hands to look puffy. Doctors call this edema. The Cleveland Clinic explains that edema occurs when excess fluid builds up in the body’s tissues. You may notice your hands and fingers look puffy, feel tight and shiny. Your fingers may also feel stiff and jewellery may fit differently.

However, if inflammation develops around your joints, you have an injury or you experience an allergic reaction, you may notice your hands are swollen. Try to identify what part of your hands are swollen, when it happened and how long for.

The NHS identifies heat, certain medications, injuries and circulation problems among the possible causes of swollen arms and hands. The best way to treat swollen hands will depend on the cause.

7 Common Causes of Swollen Hands And Fingers

1. High Salt Intake

Sometimes if you have eaten a lot of salt the previous evening (such as restaurant food, processed meats, tinned soups, packet snacks and salty sauces) you may notice your fingers are looking puffy.

Salt helps control the amount of fluid in your body. However, if you have too much salt in your diet this can cause your body to retain more water. This can cause swelling. The NIH explains how excess fluid can build up in body tissues and cause swelling. However, this can vary and just because you woke up with swollen hands does not mean you had too much salt.

Try to notice if your hands are swelling after eating salty foods. Try to eat more fresh foods and check nutritional information to reduce your high salt intake. If your hands continue to swell try to think of other causes.

2. Hot Weather and Temperature Changes

Have you noticed your rings feel tight in the hot weather? When it is warm your blood vessels can dilate. This can cause some people to experience temporary swelling in their hands.

If you have been out and about, walking, gardening or been in a warm environment for a while you may notice your fingers feel full and tight. This usually doesn’t cause much pain. Heat related swelling can often get better as your body cools down.

Try to move somewhere cooler, take off any tight jewellery (if comfortable) and gently move your fingers. Continue to drink your usual amount of fluids unless your clinician advises otherwise. Don’t assume your hands are swollen due to the weather if they are severely swollen.

3. Exercise and Repetitive Hand Movements

After a long walk, workout or period of physical activity you may notice your hands look swollen. This can be due to changes in blood flow and an increase in body temperature from exercising. The Mayo Clinic discusses how hand swelling can sometimes occur during physical activity.

If you are doing repetitive movements this can cause irritation to the tissues around your fingers and wrists. If you have been typing for hours, gardening, lifting equipment or doing repetitive tasks around the house you may experience some discomfort and inflammation. This could cause your hands to swell with some tenderness, stiffness and pain.

Give your hands a rest and gently move them within a comfortable range. Avoid doing anything that clearly makes your pain and swelling worse. If your symptoms are recurring due to a particular exercise and are affecting your grip then talk to a healthcare professional.

4. Sitting in the Same Position for Too Long

If you are sitting at a desk for hours, travelling or keeping your hands in the same position throughout the day this can cause issues with your circulation. This can cause some people to experience fluid retention. You may notice your hands are swollen after a long journey or if you have had a very sedentary day.

Your fingers may feel stiff due to not moving much. This does not necessarily mean there is a serious issue but if your hands are recurring then you should take note. This is especially important if you are noticing swelling in other parts of your body.

Try to take short breaks to move around. Gently open and close your hands throughout the day. Try to change positions regularly. If your hands continue to swell without an obvious cause then organise to see a medical professional.

5. Medication Side Effects

Some medications can cause swelling. This can include some blood pressure medications, corticosteroids, antidepressants and hormone based medications. This will depend on the medication you are taking, how much and your individual health.

You may notice a new swelling after starting a medication or changing the dose. However, this does not necessarily mean your medication caused it. Other issues may have developed. Speak to your prescriber or pharmacist to review your treatment. Never stop or change the dose of a prescribed medication.

6. Injury, Infection or Allergic Reaction

If you have an issue with one of your fingers or hands this can cause swelling. This can be due to a sprain, impact, insect bite or irritated joint. You may also notice bruising, tenderness, redness and limited movement.

If you have an infection you may notice swelling, along with increased pain, redness and warmth. Sometimes an infection can develop in a small cut near your fingernail, and you may need treatment. Allergic reactions can cause sudden swelling, itchiness and hives.

Seek medical advice if you experience sudden or severe swelling, pain, or warmth. A fever or spreading redness also requires urgent medical attention. Swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing, requires emergency help.

7. Lymphatic Issues or Underlying Medical Condition

The lymphatic system helps move fluid around the tissues and helps your immune system. If your lymphatic system cannot drain lymph fluid properly, swelling can occur. Doctors call this lymphedema. The National Cancer Institute explains that lymphedema can develop when something damages or blocks the lymphatic system. This can occur in your hands or arm, especially after some surgeries or treatments.

Medical conditions affecting your kidneys, heart, liver, thyroid or circulation can cause persistent swelling in your hands. These may not cause obvious symptoms at first. If both your hands are swollen, especially if other parts of your body are swollen then this can be a reason to seek a wider medical review.

Fluid retention can affect different areas of your body. Sometimes this can be a sign of an underlying health issue. If you have persistent or unexplained swelling then seek an assessment.

What Can I Learn from the Pattern?

Knowing when your hands are swelling can help identify possible causes. If you notice your hands are swelling after eating a salty meal or in the heat this may be a different cause than if you have an injury. However, this can give you some clues.

Try to note if one or both of your hands are swollen, are your fingers sore, how long for, are they stiff, itchy, red, numb or feeling different temperatures? Have you noticed swelling in your face, legs or other areas?

Keeping a simple symptom diary can help you identify patterns. Note what you have eaten, what you have been doing, any medications and when your hands started to swell. This can help your clinician understand what is going on if you seek medical advice.

How to Reduce Mild Swelling in Your Hands

Gently Move Your Hands

If it feels comfortable gently open and close your hands a few times. Gently flex and extend your fingers. Do not force any painful joints. If your hands swell because you have stayed still for a long time, then taking short breaks to move can help.

Avoid doing any heavy gripping or repetitive tasks. If an injury has caused your hands to swell, do not assume doing some exercise will help. Follow the correct advice for your injury and seek medical advice if you are still experiencing pain or limited movement.

Elevate Your Hands

Try to prop your hands up on some pillows whilst resting. This can help some people with moving the fluid away from the area. Ensure you are comfortable and not feeling numb or painful.

If the heat seems to cause your symptoms, then try to move somewhere cooler. If your hands are mildly swollen, a cool compress that you wrap in a cloth can help. Do not put ice directly onto your skin or use a cold treatment if you are not feeling sensations in the area. The MedlinePlus guidance on hand and wrist care also recommends taking care when managing discomfort at home. Seek professional advice.

Review Your Salt Intake

If you are eating lots of highly processed foods try to reduce your high salt intake. Try to cook more with fresh ingredients and check nutritional information when shopping. This can help if you are retaining fluid due to high salt.

Continue to drink your usual amount of fluids unless your healthcare professional advises otherwise. Avoid detox products, diuretics or extreme fluid restriction to make the swelling go down. If you have any issues with your heart, kidney or liver then speak to your clinician to see what lifestyle changes are safe for you.

When to See a Doctor

Make an appointment to see a medical professional if you have swollen hands for no obvious reason, or they are persistent and causing problems with gripping and doing everyday tasks. If you are experiencing any new numbness, stiffness and pain in your joints then seek advise.

Seek urgent medical advice if your hands are suddenly swollen, very swollen, painful, red and warm.

If you have any associated symptoms such as a fever, chills or spreading redness this could be a sign of infection. If you have diabetes and your hands are suddenly swollen then contact a healthcare professional.

Call your local emergency number if you are having trouble breathing, chest pain or tightness. If your lips, tongue, mouth or throat are swelling up suddenly this could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. Do not wait for this to settle.

For more information, MedlinePlus explains some common causes of swelling. If your symptoms are unexplained then you may need to seek medical advice. Your clinician may want to review your medical history, examine your hands and recommend some tests. Treatment will depend on the cause.

Summary

Swollen hands and fingers can result from common factors such as heat, high salt, exercise and sitting for long periods. Medication, injuries, infections, lymphatic issues and underlying medical conditions can also cause them. You cannot reliably tell what the cause is just by looking at your hands.

Try to notice any patterns and possible causes. If your hands are mildly swollen and clearly temporary then try some gentle treatments. Avoid wearing tight jewellery, having too much salt and doing anything that makes your symptoms worse. Do not stop taking your prescribed medication or use any products to remove fluid without the correct medical advice.

Most importantly, if your hands stay swollen, swell suddenly without an explanation, or feel painful, take it seriously. Note any symptoms to recognize when home treatments may not help. If you are unsure what causes your hands to swell, a healthcare professional can help you find the safest next step.