Swollen hands - causes, diagnosis and treatment

Swollen hands

Our hands, as turning points in blood flow and metabolism, are particularly sensitive. On the other hand, we also do a great deal of motor activity with them, which requires a special network of neural pathways in this area of ​​the body. Unfortunately, both functional aspects of the hand make them susceptible to certain ailments, if there is a malfunction. Swollen hands appear here in the context of many disturbing influences. Please find below an overview of the peculiarities and causes of hand swelling.

contents

• Swollen hands
• causes
• Heart and vascular complaints
• joint diseases
• skin diseases
• Temperature and weather aspects
• Other causes
• Associated symptoms
• diagnosis
• therapy
• Possible diseases in swollen hands

causes

The hand (Manus) is one of the limbs of the body, which are also known medically as Akren. Both terms come from antiquity, whereby the word extremities is derived from Latin extremus for "utmost" derives. The word Akren is related to ancient Greek akros borrowed for "extreme" and thus also emphasizes the particular position of the extremities, which in addition to the hands include the arms, legs and feet and the prominent head portions (for example, ears and nose) and the outer portions of the primary and secondary sexual characteristics. Each of these areas of the body is characterized by a particularly strong circulation, which opens up a possible cause of the swelling of the hands.

With our hands we perform a variety of motor activities, but they are also prone to discomfort such as swollen hands. Here are a variety of triggers into consideration. (Image: nidafoto / fotolia.com)

Heart and vascular complaints

Should the blood vessels of the hand fall ill or be injured, the surrounding hand tissue often reacts with tissue swelling. It is conceivable, for example, an injury-related bruise (hematoma) under the skin, which then provokes a local swelling. It should be mentioned that a hematoma on the hand does not necessarily have to be caused by large vascular damage, as they are at

• bruises,
• bruises,
• Puncture or cut injuries

arise. Even microscopically small perforations of the blood vessels gradually allow smaller amounts of blood fluid to migrate into the tissue. Such damage to the vessel walls is usually caused by arteriosclerosis. The calcification of the vessels not only promotes damage to the blood vessels, but also increases the risk of

• Circulatory disorders,
• high blood pressure,
• and vascular inflammations,

All factors that are also considered as the cause of the swollen hands. Chronic hypertension can also promote the development of thrombosis, which puts additional pressure on the tissue.

Swollen hands may also be a symptom in connection with heart failure (heart failure). Not infrequently, the disease causes edema in the extremities, which is due to the impaired blood transport resulting from heart failure. The blood accumulates frequently here, which increases the vessel pressure and thus increasingly forces blood fluid through the vessel walls into the adjacent tissue. In addition, the blood congestion itself can swell the tissue of the hand, provided that the backwater of the blood takes place there. The risk for this is relatively high, because at the limbs far away from the body, a reduced pumping power of the heart has a particularly massive effect.

joint diseases

Like all extremities, the hands have a special role to play in terms of motor skills and sensor technology. They are indispensable for feeling, touching, gripping, holding, lifting and for complex manual work and are therefore particularly required in everyday life. Nerve disorders and joint diseases as the cause of a swollen hand should therefore always be carefully observed in order to avoid permanent damage. Straight joint diseases such as arthrosis tend to promote irritant swelling. In the area of ​​the hand, finger arthrosis is the most common manifestation of joint wear. Furthermore, the arthritic processes can lead to inflammations in the hand and finger joints, as the accompanying symptom, the swelling occurs. One also speaks of arthritis in said joint inflammations.

Osteoarthritis can also cause deformities and swelling of the hands due to joint wear. (Image: sebra / fotolia.com)

Particularly affected by arthritic and inflammatory processes of the hand and finger joints are people who perform above average number of fine motor activities with their hands. These include typing on the keyboard, filigree handicrafts and manual wellness and cosmetics professions. Accordingly, the following occupations in terms of swollen hands form a special risk group:

• Clerks,
• writer,
• Workers in product and textile manufacturing,
• Hairdressers,
• beauticians,
• masseurs.

For occupations in the cosmetic sector is aggravating added that affected persons come into contact daily with a variety of care products that may not be tolerated by the hands and thus lead to irritant reactions with hand swelling as a concomitant symptom.

skin diseases

A dermatological condition that is most commonly associated with swelling of the hand is scleroderma. The name describes a pathological hardening of the skin's own connective tissue, which causes only rarely pain, but always edema on the hand and Fußextremitäten. Even chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis can cause irritation-induced swelling due to the disease-typical skin lesions and therefore provide for involvement of the extremities for swollen hands.

A particularly tricky cause, which can cause the hands and fingers with swelling, are inflammatory skin diseases. One phenomenon that has become increasingly common in recent years is the so-called dyshidrosis. It is a disease that is first noticeable by small blisters under the skin, which are filled with an inflammatory fluid. After a while these bubbles burst so that the inflammatory secretion drains into the surrounding tissue. This is followed by a more or less severe inflammatory reaction, which can lead to extremely annoying swellings on the affected hand or on the phalanges.

The causes of dyshidrosis are not yet known. However, experts suspect that in the course of the disease, certain metabolic waste products are stored in the hands and provoke inflammation and swelling. Also, as a precursor to skin diseases such as eczema dyshidrosis is occasionally mentioned, which may possibly also immunological aspects of the disease. Likewise, stress and humid-cold weather, as is known for spring and autumn, are associated with the disease.

Temperature and weather aspects

Even with dyshidrosis, which occurs more frequently in damp, cold seasons, it can be seen that our hands not only feel temperatures, but are also able to react quite extremely to them. Who does not know the clammy and partly swollen hands in winter??

The reason for this is the fact that the circulation of our hands in cold weather can get a little out of step. This is all the more true since the hands belong to the extremities furthest from the rest of the body. In the course of exposure to cold, the blood vessels constrict relatively quickly, which on the one hand increases the blood pressure, on the other hand also changes the flow properties of the blood. Cold blood becomes more viscous, which impedes oxygen transport in particular. The lack of oxygen in hands and fingers can then lead to blueing of the skin, better known as cyanosis. In addition, the effect of cold also promotes the formation of chilblains, a tissue swelling, which develops due to persistently cool temperatures, preferably on fingers and feet.

Contact with extreme heat can cause nail burns and swelling of the hands. Bladder blisters are specifically enriched with tissue water to protect against wound contamination. (Image: BVpix / fotolia.com)

Conversely, even very high heat can irritate the hand tissue and cause swelling. The best example here is the blast of fire as part of a combustion. Burn injuries are specifically enriched by the body with tissue water to seal the injury airtight from wound contamination. What looks very threatening especially with large blisters is therefore a natural protective mechanism of the body for the prevention of wound infections.

Other causes

Speaking of infections, if a wound on the hand should actually be contaminated by germs, inflammation and swelling must also be expected here. Just a few insect bites, get in the germs from the saliva of the insects in the puncture, kindled on the hand and gladly sometimes a very extreme swelling. And a wart disease, commonly caused by papillomavirus infection, causes tissue growth that does not occur without some swelling.

Last but not least, allergies are the cause of a swollen hand. Especially with allergies to certain insecticides, but also with food allergies (for example nut allergy) or contact allergies, swelling may appear as an allergic reaction.

Also, hormonal disorders and diseases such as dropsy can not be ruled out as a cause of hand swelling. In addition, systemic diseases such as gout and rheumatism are known to cause swelling of the extremities.

Associated symptoms

Swollen hands can be very restrictive for those affected because the growth in the size of the hands and fingers is very often associated with other accompanying symptoms, such as:

• feelings of tension,
• movement restrictions,
• Sensations and pain,
• paralysis,
• Circulatory disorders,
• skin discoloration.

The affected hand, and especially the fingers, feel swollen, the skin tenses and jewelry can suddenly cut. It can also happen through the swelling that the usual range of motion is limited in the finger and wrist joints. The fingers can no longer be adequately stretched and bent, accessing them and thus the entire fine motor skills are considerably more difficult.

The perceived sensation of tightness on the skin and the restriction of movement sometimes culminate in serious pain or even in discomfort and paralysis. This occurs when the swelling of the hand exceeds a tolerable by the body level and suppresses surrounding anatomical structures. For example, nerves can be compressed, which can manifest itself in discomfort (for example tingling or pricking) or paralysis of individual fingers, and even the whole hand. Also, the supplying blood vessels can be disconnected by the increase in size. This results in a circulatory disorder, which is additionally identified by a bluish-pale discoloration of the fingertips and whitish discoloration of the nails. If you press in this condition on the fingernails of those affected, you can observe that the smallest blood vessels of the fingertips no longer or only very hesitant to fill with blood - an indication of a circulatory disorder. In a healthy person, the nails, whitened by the pressure, would return to their typical rosy color in less than three seconds, suggesting a healthy capillary fill time.

The skin itself, due to the proliferation of the swollen hand, develop further concomitant symptoms, because it can withstand the increasing pressure only to a certain extent. Eventually, the accumulated tissue water makes its way outward and passes through small micro cracks to the outside or collects in so-called tension bubbles. In this condition, the skin is very susceptible to further external injuries. As this in turn results in entry ports for pathogens, the swollen hand must be protected against external influences with increased risk of injury.

Caution is required for inflammation in the hand. This does not have to remain local, but can also spread to the entire body. (Image: Tanapat Lek, jew / fotolia.com)

If a local inflammatory reaction causes swelling of the hand, the latter may also occur in combination with redness and painful overheating of the skin area. Additional caution should be exercised when fever, fatigue and loss of performance occur, as these concomitant symptoms indicate that the inflammation is no longer localized to the hand but is about to spread throughout the body.

If cardiac insufficiency is present, in addition to swelling of the extremities due to edema, other concomitant symptoms may also occur, which are usually creeping and at first glance are not related to the swollen hands. These include:

• power loss,
• shortness of breath,
• dry cough,
• frequent nocturnal urination (nocturia),
• discernible cardiac arrhythmias.

diagnosis

If the swelling of the hands does not disappear spontaneously within a short time using the acute measures described below and is not explained by physiological processes such as a terminal pregnancy or high heat during the summer months, then it is important to consult a physician.

Swollen hands are obvious to the medical profession by the proliferation of the hands. During the consultation, the doctor will pay special attention to changes in skin color, obvious skin defects and restricted mobility during the physical exam. In addition, as part of the medical history, specific questions are asked in order to get a first focus on the underlying cause. Here are questions about the following areas:

• Other concomitant symptoms,
• current changes in life (for example, pregnancy, fertility treatment, menopause, travel abroad or new medicines),
• previous events (e.g., insect bites, injuries or surgery).

Depending on the focus of the doctor on the basis of the physical examination and anamnesis as possible causes for the swollen hands revealed, this is followed by further different diagnostic methods:

• Laboratory diagnostics: Within the scope of laboratory examinations, various values ​​can be determined in the blood which corroborate or rule out the suspected causes. These include the inflammation levels, hormone levels, rheumatoid factors, heart enzymes, liver and kidney levels, electrolytes.
• imaging:
  By means of imaging techniques (for example X-ray, CT or MRI) orthopedic diseases can be investigated as possible causes.
• Cardio-diagnostics:
  Focusing on a cardiological cause, this is followed by a very broad spectrum of possible investigations. This includes, among others:
  • X-ray of the thorax,
  • ECG,
  • Blood pressure measurements,
  • Herzechokardiografie,
  • Exercise examinations (ergometry).

therapy

According to the numerous causes of a swollen hand, the treatment options are very different. One can treat medicines, but also find in the field of home remedies and naturopathy different approaches that can provide relief.

immediate measures

As a first step in the case of suddenly swollen hands, it is first of all advisable to carry out a few emergency measures to see whether the discomfort can be resolved. For example, it makes sense to hold the affected arm above the heart level. This facilitates the circulation of the extremities and can help with mild circulatory disorders without specific disease value (for example in cold weather). If necessary, you can also support the arm with a pillow.

Also, a good immediate action is to stimulate the muscular activity by performing light, uniform movements with the wrist and fingers. Slight circular movements as well as the alternating tensing and releasing of the hands are particularly recommended here.

An immediate measure for swollen hands may be local cooling - for example, with cool water. This is only true if cold was not the trigger for the swelling. (Image: maroke / fotolia.com)

A third step is to perform a local cooling, but this only makes sense if cold is not considered as a trigger for the swelling. It is possible, for example, to run cool water over the hand, to carry out a lukewarm hand bath or to temporarily apply cooling elements (for example cool packs or ice cubes). In the case of the latter, however, care must be taken not to contract frostbite and to carry out the refrigeration application only for a limited time with appropriate breaks.

home remedies

In order to become active in swollen hands, the patient can also apply some home remedies in addition to the already mentioned emergency measures. For example, in some cases the diet can cause a hand swelling. Important steps are here:

• Keep the correct amount of drinking:
  As long as the doctor or doctor has not prescribed otherwise, those affected should take at least two liters of liquid. However, if the event is based on cardiac insufficiency, it may be that a drinking volume restriction of one and a half liters or even less is prescribed in severe cases. As drinks mainly water and unsweetened teas should be selected.
• Low-salt diet:
  A very high-salt diet promotes the storage of water in the tissue. And those who regularly resort to ready meals and fast food, do not even have to actively resort to the salt shaker to feed excessively rich in salt. Finished goods, food stalls, sausages and meat products as well as pasta are seasoned with many salts during the manufacturing process. In order to establish a lower-salt diet, one should therefore focus on fresh ingredients and reduce the consumption of the above foods to a minimum.

To stimulate the circulation in the tissue of the swollen hand, one can apply hand massages and light stretching exercises. To do this, apply light pressure beginning at the fingertips, which is carefully continued in the direction of the wrist. You can also spread your fingers apart, stretch and bend. This exercise can be done for five to ten minutes and then you should already feel a noticeable improvement in the symptoms.

Reinforce hand massages and stretching exercises the symptoms, a doctor should be consulted immediately, as it may then be a (arterial) circulatory disorder.

Natural Remedies

In naturopathy you can also find some treatment approaches and herbal treatments, which quickly provide relief for swollen hands. For example, the lukewarm hand bath additionally salt or apple cider vinegar can be added. The salt water promotes the swelling of the hands by promoting a leakage of tissue water due to the concentration gradient. The apple cider vinegar in turn is said to have a draining and detoxifying effect. In the field of medicinal herbs, especially help plants that have such an effect. These include:

• stinging nettle,
• dandelion,
• Green oat,
• asparagus root,
• birch leaves.

The said medicinal herbs can be added as an additive to a hand bath, commonly using about one tablespoon of the dried herb per application.

Naturopathy offers medicinal herbs which have a decongestant effect, such as birch leaves, which are added to a hand bath. (Image: Heike Rau / fotolia.com)

Alternatively, one can enjoy the medicinal plants in the form of a tea several times a day. For this mix one to two teaspoons of a maximum of three of the herbs in a cup and pour over boiling water. After a brewing time of seven to ten minutes, the tea can be drunk. It should not be more than the recommended dose or time, as the tea is otherwise inedible.

Also with the Schüßler salts one can find for the supporting treatment of swollen hands. For example, the Schüßler salt number 10 is considered the so-called pulping salt. Twice daily, two to three tablets of the salt Natrum sulphuricum should promote all excretory processes and ultimately contribute to a swelling of the swollen hands.

In contrast, calcium fluoraticum is often used in homeopathy to accompany the treatment of osteoarthritis. The same applies to Silicea. Homeopathic supplements like Belladona are recommended for inflammation. For arthritis in particular, as well as rheumatism, homeopaths are more likely to use Bryonia or Rhus toxicondendron. Arnica, a medicinal plant that can be used not only as a homeopathic solution, but also as an adjunct for spas or Envelopes, on the other hand help with swelling due to overexertion or strain.

Medical therapy

When it comes to medicines, these are selected depending on the underlying cause. For heart failure, for example, antihypertensives such as ramipril or valsartan come into question. Also heart-strengthening drugs (for example digitalis preparations or Carvedilol) and draining medicines such as furosemide or torasemide are conceivable.

Swollen hands triggered by allergies or insect bites are treated with an antihistamine. (Image: Jürgen Fälchle / fotolia.com)

A hormonal imbalance can only be remedied by hormone replacement drugs, for example, compensate for a lack of estrogen or testosterone. Swelling from allergies or insect bites is commonly treated with an antihistamine.

In joint inflammation or rheumatism specialists administer analgesics and anti-inflammatory preparations. It is conceivable, inter alia, a treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac, ibuprofen, paracetamol or pain ointments such as Voltaren. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone, however, are only used in the most extreme emergency, since they themselves can cause a number of serious side effects.

Operative therapy

In very rare cases, a swollen hand conceals a muscular and bleeding compartement syndrome as a result of trauma. Under certain circumstances, only the surgical opening of the affected area can provide relief and avert complications such as irreversible damage to nerves and blood vessels.

Possible diseases in swollen hands

• bruise,
• bruises,
• bruises,
• stab wounds,
• cuts,
• frostbite,
• blisters,
• insect bites,
• arteriosclerosis,
• Circulatory disorders,
• high blood pressure,
• vasculitis,
• thrombosis,
• heart failure,
• arthrosis,
• arthritis,
• scleroderma,
• eczema,
• psoriasis,
• Dyshidrosis,
• warts infection,
• allergy,
• hormone disorder,
• dropsy,
• gout,
• rheumatism.

(Ma)