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| © Karl Tapales, Getty Images |
By Sarah DiGiulio, Women's Health UK
Looked down at your hands, only to notice that every ring appears squished on way too tightly? An, if so, should you freak out? Good news is: Probably not. Fingers swell for a lot of reasons, and many of them harmless.
But sometimes the puffiness, medically known as dactylitis, points to more serious health conditions. Here are some of the common causes of swollen fingers, and when you should call your doctor.
1. It’s really hot outside
Heat causes blood vessels to expand, which allows more heat to escape through your skin so you can keep cool, explains Tammy Olsen Utset, MD, MPH, an associate professor in the rheumatology department at the University of Chicago. As the vessels stretch, some of their fluid can leak into your soft tissues and cause puffiness.
Dr. Utset says this type of swelling tends to go away as you use your hands and continue your regular activity. But if you notice swelling only in your hands and fingers (and not your legs), accompanied by pain or a weak grip, that could be a sign it’s not just the heat and you need to consult your doctor.
2. You’re eating too much salt
Lots of chips or anything fried could be the cause behind your swollen fingers. Your body likes to keep a consistent salt-to-water balance, so when you down extra sodium, it compensates by retaining more water, leading to swelling, Dr. Utset says.
Typically, mild swelling brought on by salty foods goes away on its own within a day but it can last longer depending on how much extra salt is in your system. If you cut back on salt and the swelling persists, see your doctor, Dr. Utset advises.
3. You may have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
If it’s the bony finger joints themselves that are enlarged (say, you can’t get rings over your knuckles), osteoarthritis may be to blame, especially if your swollen fingers appear in the morning. This age-related form of arthritis is caused by the wearing down of the cushioning tissues at the end of your joints. Osteoarthritis is often, but not always, accompanied by pain and stiffness, Dr. Utset says.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that attacks the lining of the joints, can also cause swelling. Unlike osteoarthritis, RA isn’t age-related and can happen to anyone at any age. Swelling in people with RA often happen in the wrists and finger joints. 'RA can cause the joints to swell up as well as cause inflammation in between the joints,' says Neha Vyas, MD, a physician in the department of family medicine at Cleveland Clinic.
4. An infection or injury could be to blame
Infections in your fingers, known as felons, cause your fingers (particularly around the tip, pad, or nail) to fill up with pus. Infections can form in different ways, but dishwashing without gloves, manicures, ingrown nails, hangnails, and biting your nails can all transfer bacteria to your fingers and lead to swelling, redness, and throbbing pain. Minor traumas and injuries, like cuts, puncture wounds, and splinters can also have similar effects.
When caught early, infections can be treated with warm water or saline soaks and antibiotic ointment, but if you’re in serious pain, have trouble using your finger, or notice any oozing pus, see your doctor ASAP, who can drain excess fluid and prescribe oral antibiotics if needed.
5. It could be a side effect of your tough workout
During exercise, your fingers and hands might swell because the blood vessels in your body are responding to the increased energy demands on your muscles. 'When it comes to exercise, our body produces heat. The vascular system allows more fluid to release into our fingers, hands, and toes. This is the way the body cools down,' Dr. Vyas says.
6…or your medication
Certain medications can also cause swelling in the fingers and hands. Dr. Vyas says high blood pressure drugs, OTC pain meds, diabetes medications, steroids, and birth control pills can all cause puffiness as a general side effect.
7. You may be dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome
When the nerve that runs from the forearm to the palm of the hand is pinched or squeezed at the wrist, that’s when carpal tunnel syndrome develops, Dr. Utset explains, a condition that women are three times as likely to develop than men.
While there are typically various causes, repeated trauma or injury to the wrist, work stress, an under-active thyroid, and rheumatoid arthritis can all be triggers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can result in swollen fingers, and is usually accompanied by pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands or arms—symptoms that often develop slowly over time.
8. Pregnancy could be messing with your body
Some swelling is typical for expectant moms. But swelling in the hands and face—especially if pressing your thumb into your skin leaves a noticeable indentation—can be a red flag for preeclampsia, a complication characterised by high blood pressure.
If preeclampsia goes untreated, it can lead to organ damage, including the liver and kidneys. Dr. Vyas says that in addition to swelling, signs of preeclampsia include blurry vision, high protein in your urine, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. The risk of preeclampsia is highest in pregnant women older than 40 or those having their first child. It’s also common in women carrying twins or triplets, and those who are obese.
9. You might have Raynaud’s disease
Raynaud’s disease is a rare condition characterised by narrowing of your arteries, which limits blood circulation. The causes are not completely understood, but cold temperatures, stress, injuries to the hands, tissue damage, and even certain drugs (like high blood pressure or migraine meds) may all be triggers. The condition is more likely to occur in women than men, Dr. Utset says.
Swelling—along with numbness, prickling, pain, or colour changes in the skin—occurs most commonly in the fingers and toes when circulation returns (as you warm up or your stress dissipates). When an 'attack' comes on, your fingers may first turn ghostly white, but other parts of your body can also be impacted, such as your nose, lips, or ears.
10. Kidney issues could be lurking
If your kidneys fail to remove excess fluids—also known as edema—your body will retain it, which could result in swollen hands. Edema can affect any part of your body, but swelling mostly occurs in your hands, feet, legs, and ankles. 'When your kidneys aren’t filtering what needs to go out, the fluids stay within you,' Dr. Vyas explains. 'The kidneys also help regulate the electrolytes in our body, so any type of kidney disease or kidney issue can affect this process. Hypertension and diabetes are some conditions that can cause these kidney problems,' she adds.
11. It might be a blockage in your lymphatic system
Lymphedema is a rare limb-swelling disease that comes on when lymph fluid (which carries waste, bacteria, and viruses out of the body) doesn’t adequately drain. Your fingers and toes may swell, and usually your arms and legs will swell, too. Your skin may also feel tight or thicker than usual, according to a report from the National Cancer Institute. Lymphedema has been linked with surgery or radiation breast cancer treatments. In rare cases, lymphedema can also be caused by an abnormal growth near a lymph node or vessel, which can lead to fluid blockage.
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