What should you know about puffiness of hands?

Fingers can feel stiff, rings may become difficult to remove, and the skin may look stretched. Consider whether both hands are affected, how quickly the change happened and whether there is pain, itch, warmth or numbness.

Heat, prolonged activity, a dependent position and some medicines can contribute to temporary puffiness. An injury may produce local swelling and tenderness. Itchy raised patches can occur with Hives, while deeper swelling of the hands may be Angioedema. A hot, painful, red area with fever can be Cellulitis. The same visible change can have different causes, so the accompanying pattern matters.

Take off rings and tight bracelets early, then rest the hands raised on a cushion. Open and close your fingers slowly and avoid gripping exercises while the area is sore. Protect the skin with a bland moisturiser if it is dry or stretched. Do not puncture the swelling or use leftover prescription medicine. Record recent injuries, new products, medicines and foods for your clinician.

Arrange prompt assessment for swelling that is one-sided, worsening, painful, hot, red, associated with reduced movement or accompanied by fever. Emergency care is needed when hand swelling occurs with lip, tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulty, faintness or widespread symptoms. After an injury, seek urgent help for severe pain, deformity, blue or cold fingers, or loss of feeling.

Ask whether your symptoms point toward inflammation, allergy, injury, infection or another cause, and whether you need examination or testing. Mention whether the swelling is worse at a particular time, whether it improves with elevation, and any change in grip or sensation.