I woke up with a swollen hand: what should I know?

A hand can look puffy after being held below the heart or compressed while sleeping. A recent knock, fall, tight jewellery, insect bite, or skin irritation can also cause local swelling. Joint inflammation may bring stiffness, warmth, or swelling in several finger joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis can present with hand-joint swelling and morning stiffness, while a wrist injury such as a Distal Radius Fracture may cause swelling, bruising, tenderness, or difficulty using the hand. Swelling alone does not identify the cause.

Remove rings, bracelets, and anything tight before swelling increases. Rest the hand, raise it on pillows, and gently move the fingers if movement is comfortable. A cool wrapped pack may ease discomfort; protect the skin and stop if numbness or colour change develops. Do not force a painful joint or massage an area that is hot, red, or injured. Compare both hands and note when the swelling started, whether it changes during the day, and whether there was an injury.

Seek urgent medical help if the hand becomes blue, very pale, cold, severely painful, rapidly more swollen, or numb, or if you cannot move the fingers after an injury. Prompt assessment is also needed for spreading redness, marked warmth, pus, fever, or a bite with worsening swelling. Arrange a clinical review if swelling keeps returning, affects both hands, or does not settle with simple measures.

Could the pattern of swelling and morning stiffness suggest joint inflammation? Does the hand need an X-ray after the injury I describe? Which movements, supports, or medicines are suitable for me?