What should you know about oedema in fingers?

Several fingers may feel puffy after heat, activity, or keeping the hand down. One swollen finger may follow a knock, bite, skin irritation, or infection. Hot, red, tender skin can occur with cellulitis. Itchy raised patches may occur with hives, while angioedema can cause deeper swelling. Joint stiffness, morning symptoms, colour change, or swelling that leaves a ring or makes bending difficult should be mentioned during an examination.

Remove rings early, rest the hand in a comfortable raised position, and gently open and close the fingers if this does not increase pain. Protect broken skin and avoid squeezing a swollen area. Do not force a ring off if it is stuck or cut circulation. Record the onset, affected fingers, triggers, pain, itch, warmth, and any new medicine or product; seek review if the change persists or recurs.

Get urgent help if a finger becomes blue, pale, cold, numb, severely painful, bent after injury, or impossible to move. Prompt assessment is needed for spreading redness, pus, fever, a rapidly increasing swelling, or a ring that is trapping the finger. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat or trouble breathing requires emergency care.

Ask whether the swelling is related to skin, a joint, infection, injury, or allergy; whether a stuck ring needs removal; and which hand movements or treatments are safe.