What should you know about hand oedema?

Oedema may affect one hand or both. Heat, prolonged inactivity, a tight ring, minor injury or irritation can contribute. Sudden swelling with itch or raised welts can occur with [Hives](/conditions/urticaria/) or [Angioedema](/conditions/angioedema/). Painful warmth, redness and tenderness can occur with [Cellulitis](/conditions/cellulitis/). Swelling that persists, returns or affects other areas needs a clinician to consider medicines, circulation, joints and general health.

Remove rings early if they feel tight, rest the hand above heart level when comfortable, and gently move the fingers unless movement causes pain. Protect the skin from heat and friction, and keep any wound clean. Do not tightly wrap a swollen hand or start compression without advice, particularly if circulation is uncertain.

Note when swelling began, whether it is one-sided, what you had touched or eaten, recent travel or injury, and any new medicine. A photograph can help show change over time. A clinician may examine the skin, joints and circulation and decide whether further tests are needed.

Get emergency help for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty, faintness or rapidly worsening symptoms. Seek prompt medical assessment for a hand that is very painful, hot, red, numb, blue, unusually cold, difficult to move, or accompanied by fever. These features can indicate a serious allergic, infectious, circulation or injury-related problem.

Ask whether the pattern suggests allergy, infection, injury or another cause; whether any medicine could contribute; which movements are safe; and what change should trigger urgent review.