Reduce Swelling in Hands

Swelling in hands or feet is not an illness as such, but a symptom of various other conditions. Pregnancy, obesity, allergies, sodium retention, poor nutrition, various medications, etc., are some of the common factors which cause swelling in hands or in feet. Proper diagnosis involves ascertaining the cause of the swelling. In cases wherein, the condition is long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering, you should give a thought on medical assistance. Apart from following any medications prescribed by the doctor, here are a few things which you may put to use, to reduce swelling in hands. Before coming to the remedies, you may also like to know about the various causes which could result in swollen hands.

Hand Swelling Causes

As mentioned before, allergic reaction is one of the causes of swelling in hands and other parts of the body as well. When the body encounters allergic reaction, it releases histamines into the bloodstream. When the reaction is mild, swelling in hands is common and it is usually accompanied by mild difficulty in breathing. In cases of a severe allergic reaction, the swelling may be accompanied by the affected person going into a shock.

Hand injuries are another common cause of swelling. Injuries may cause accumulation of fluid in the injured area and thus cause swelling. Muscle sprains, strains, broken bones and carpal tunnel syndrome are the other causes of swelling in hands.

People who suffer from obesity, are more prone to suffer from swelling in hands and in other parts of the body. Here, the lymphatic system works slower due to poor circulation of fluids. As a result, pockets of liquid known as edema are created in hands and feet, developing in swelling.

Apart from all these, other causes could include hypothyroidism, lymphedema (swelling (usually in the legs) caused by lymph accumulating in the tissues in the affected areas), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (a syndrome that occurs in many women from 2 to 14 days before the onset of menstruation) and acromegaly (enlargement of bones of hands, feet and face).

Infection could also be a common cause of the same. Cellulitis, for example, which is a severe bacterial infection causes the affected area to swell, redden, tender and warm to touch. The infection can affect the lymph nodes and bloodstream if not taken care of immediately, and may become life-threatening.

How To Reduce Swelling In Hands

Keeping the body well hydrated is one of the effective treatment methods. Two liters of water is what is required to be taken by the affected person, on a daily basis. Water helps in flushing out the toxins in the body thus, helping in reducing the swelling. Elevation is also one helpful method to reduce swelling. Rest your hands on a pillow and keep them in a position higher than that of the heart. Compression gloves are products which when used, improve circulation of fluids in hands and feet, and reduce swelling. For better circulation, massaging also provides great help.

Other ways to reduce swelling in hands are ice compression on the affected areas and inculcating a balanced diet. Refrain from consumption of salt, alcohol or caffeine. Not to mention, following a regular exercise routine strengthens the immune system, and it has been found that exercises do wonders in preventing such conditions.

Seeking medical care is equally important as following the remedies cited above. And when the cause is something as severe as cellulitis, then treatment should be considered as a medical emergency. The course of the treatment, in most cases, involves taking antibiotics for 14 days.