7 Reasons Your Fingers Are Swollen
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You step outside in the summer heat, and your fingers suddenly resemble little bratwursts. Should you freak out? Probably not. Fingers swell for a lot of reasons—many of them harmless. But some cases of puffiness, especially when paired with pain, can point to serious underlying problems.
Here are some of the reasons your fingers are swelling, and when a call to your doctor may be appropriate.
1. Steamy summer days
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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.
Utset says this type of swelling tends to go away as you use your hands and continue your regular activity. But if you notice puffiness 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.
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2. Too much salt
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General Tso’s chicken, lots of chips and guac, or anything fried could be the cause of your frankfurter fingers. Your body likes to keep a consistent salt-to-water balance. Taking more salt in means your body compensates by retaining more water, which explains the swelling, Utset says.
Typically, mild swelling brought on by salty foods goes away on its own within a day, though 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, Utset advises.
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3. Osteoarthritis
If it’s the bony finger joints themselves that are enlarged (i.e., you can’t get your rings over your knuckles), osteoarthritis may be to blame. 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, Utset says. Many other forms of arthritis can also result in fat, achy fingers. (This 12-day liver detox can help relieve your joint pain—and get you started on the road to lasting weight loss. Check out Heal Your Whole Body now!)
4. Carpal tunnel
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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 develops, Utset explains. The resulting swelling is usually accompanied by pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands and fingers—symptoms that often develop slowly over time. Research suggests carpal tunnel affects three times as many women as men. (Get relief with these 13 highly effective treatments for carpal tunnel.)
5. Lymphedema
This limb-swelling disease results 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 treatments for breast cancer. In rare cases, lymphedema can also be caused by the abnormal growth of your lymph system.
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6. Raynaud’s disease
Raynaud’s is a narrowing of your arteries, often caused by cold weather or stress. That narrowing limits blood circulation, according to a report from the New England Journal of Medicine. Swelling—along with prickling or pain—occurs when circulation returns (as you warm up or your stress dissipates). The condition is common and more likely to occur in women than men, Utset says. If you notice your fingers or hands are bluish or pale before they swell, that’s one indicator of Raynaud’s.
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7. Preeclampsia
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. This condition is characterized by high blood pressure, and if left untreated, it can cause serious complications for both mom and baby (as any fan of Downton Abbey knows), according to guidelines from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It occurs most often in pregnant women older than 40, those carrying twins or triplets, and those who are obese, the ACOG reports.
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By Sarah DiGiulio
This article ‘7 Reasons Your Fingers Are Swollen’ originally ran on Prevention.com
