My hands and feet are red: what should I know?

Notice whether the redness is on both sides, whether it fades with cooling or elevation, and whether the skin feels hot, itchy, swollen, or painful. New soaps, gloves, shoes, friction, sun, and heat can irritate skin. Joint inflammation can cause redness with swelling and stiffness; Rheumatoid Arthritis commonly presents with painful, swollen joints and may affect hands and feet. A Distal Radius Fracture would usually relate to an injury around the wrist rather than unexplained redness of all four limbs. Redness alone cannot identify the cause.

Move away from heat, loosen tight footwear or jewellery, and let the skin cool gradually. Wash gently, pat dry, and avoid scratching or applying a new cream until the trigger is clearer. Elevate swollen limbs and keep a note of timing, foods or products, activity, temperature, pain, and skin changes. Do not place very hot or very cold items directly on the skin. If a wound is present, keep it clean and covered.

Seek emergency care for redness with trouble breathing, facial swelling, faintness, or sudden widespread hives. Get urgent assessment for a cold or blue limb, severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, fever, pus, or red streaks. Arrange a medical review when redness lasts, returns often, becomes associated with joint swelling, or affects walking or hand use.

Ask whether the pattern fits skin irritation, allergy, infection, circulation change, or joint inflammation, and whether you should change any product or medicine. Show photographs taken during a flare if the colour has faded by the appointment.