Swollen hands: the most common causes and the most effective natural remedies
Having swollen hands makes any daily activity difficult: taking off rings, grabbing objects, using your mobile phone or computer. This blemish may be a sign of "inflammation in progress, but there may be other reasons as well. Those with swollen hands and fingers should investigate hormonal or allergic health problems.
Before reading further, find out how to make your hands beautiful with a manicure!
Swollen hands: symptoms of noticing that something is wrong
If the fingers of your hands feel swollen and painful, the causes will need to be investigated further in order to solve the problem. Finger edema is usually transient, but it can also be persistent and can be accompanied by other symptoms including:
- itch
- erythema
- changes in skin color (discoloration)
- secretions with pus attached
- joint stiffness
- impossibility in the movement of the fingers
- cold fingers
- pins and needles
- feeling of numbness of the whole hand
In addition to those just mentioned, there are other symptoms related to specific causes. For example, if the cause is an "allergy, the subject may also manifest:
- feeling of heat
- generalized edema
- widespread itching
- respiratory disorders
- arterial hypotension
- heart failure
Tachycardia, restlessness, insomnia, unexplained and sudden weight loss, sweating or constant feeling of heat, alterations in the menstrual cycle, however, when they occur together with swelling in the hands, they can mean a thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism).
In all these cases, and after excluding the common and not dangerous causes such as changes in ambient temperature or incorrect positions taken during night sleep, it will be good to immediately contact your GP for a thorough examination.
The main causes of swollen hands
Blood circulation disturbances
Irregular and inefficient blood circulation is among the most common causes of swollen hands. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, the extremities of your body, i.e. your hands and feet, will be swollen and cold to the touch. This happens because the blood vessels must dilate to accommodate the blood that flows with more force and speed inside them to overcome the resistance encountered during the journey, that is the high pressure and accumulations of fat. Even people with Raynaud's syndrome they often have swollen hands precisely because this pathology interferes with the microcirculation of the hands.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes are often linked to particular stages of life, such as pregnancy or premenstrual syndrome. They can cause swelling in the hands due to impaired lymphatic circulation which could lead to the formation of transient edema in the extremities of the body such as arms, hands, legs, feet.
Allergies
If there is an allergy at the base of the swollen hands, it will be necessary to intervene quickly. An excessive release of histamine into the blood causes a defense reaction of the organism towards a foreign body: an insect bite, for example, or a food. Depending on the severity of the allergic crisis, in addition to swollen hands, other symptoms may appear that it is good to know and be able to recognize: sensation of heat, visible bubbles on the skin, erythema, itching, extensive edema of the lips and face, low blood pressure, respiratory disorders .
Overweight
Those who are overweight or suffering from obesity have a much greater probability of having swollen hands, but the same is also true for feet and ankles that, having to support an "over-sized" weight, tire themselves out, yielding to stagnation of liquids and consequent swelling.
Skin infections
The hands are often subject to small cuts or wounds in the fingers that easily become gateways for bacteria, leading to skin infections with swollen, red, painful hands and fingers.
Inflammations
Inflammations, especially those involving cartilage, can cause swollen hands. This happens especially after a certain age, when the connective tissue is no longer so elastic. In the most serious cases we come to talk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is another cause at the base of swollen hands. It is the compression of the median nerve of the wrist, and usually affects the first 3-4 fingers of the hand with swelling, tingling, pain (especially at night), which it can extend to the wrist, arm and shoulder.
Medicines
Some antidepressant, antihypertensive, oral hypoglycemic drugs, hormonal therapies, cortisone, especially if taken frequently, can cause stagnation of liquids and therefore swollen hands and feet.
Trauma or fractures
Trivially, even small domestic accidents or accidental falls can cause a fracture of the phalanges with sudden swelling and pain of the hand.
Useful remedies against swelling of the hands
How to remedy swollen hands? Once the causes have been identified, the most effective treatment will vary based on the triggering reason. Swelling of the hands is never to be underestimated, so it will be good to contact your doctor to begin the most appropriate therapy.
- If the cause is a small fracture, the ice pack will be a panacea: to be applied immediately after the injury to reduce swelling and then possibly proceed with soothing and anti-inflammatory ointments.
- For pregnant women: some relief from swollen hands and feet can be given with ice packs to be done several times a day for 10 minutes. Especially in the last months of pregnancy, or if gestation is in the summer, this remedy it will be very useful.
- The ice will also be applied immediately after an insect bite, and you will have to follow the application of a specific cream. In this case we suggest you to contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room for prompt treatment.
- Specific exercises or in general doing motor activity, on the other hand, is the ideal remedy to defeat swelling in the hands due to water retention and poor circulation; but even if you have slept in the wrong position, these tips will be useful:
- open and close your hands several times
- flex your fingers forward and back
- softly
- keep your arms up for a few minutes
- make small massages with circular movements on each finger starting from the tip and going down to the wrist.
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Other effective treatments to reduce swollen hands
- After an "accurate diagnosis, the doctor could prescribe: the use of a brace, specific drugs, therapies (laser or ultrasound), surgery.
- If the swelling is caused by high blood pressure, avoid salt, red meat, sausages and alcohol. Increase your daily water intake.
- Flax seeds have important anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling of the hands. Just add 1 teaspoon of ground flax seeds to a glass of warm water and drink this liquid twice a day.
- Coriander seeds, on the other hand, are very useful for improving circulation. Put 3 tablespoons of coriander seeds in 1 cup of water, boil until the water is reduced by half, filter and let the mixture cool. Take it twice a day until you notice improvement.
- Dandelion acts as a natural diuretic by promoting the drainage of liquids. Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried dandelion leaves in a cup of hot water, steep for a few minutes, then strain and drink the mixture daily.
- avocado
- egg yolk
- lemon
Swollen hands: it's possible to prevent them!
If you know you are predisposed to hand swelling, follow these tips to prevent it.
- drink at least 2 liters of water a day to facilitate kidney activity and eliminate excess fluids.
- eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, as well as proteins and carbohydrates in the right quantities.
- avoid red meat, salt, canned foods, cured meats, caffeine, fizzy and sugary drinks, alcohol.
- Always protect your hands especially when doing housework.
- Do not expose your hands to temperatures that are too hot or too cold.
- Remove rings and bracelets before going to bed.
- Check your blood pressure regularly.
