What should you know about sudden swelling of right hand?

A recent fall, impact, twist, repetitive gripping, tight jewellery, or bite can irritate tissues and produce one-sided swelling. A wrist fracture may cause bruising, tenderness, and reduced hand use; [Distal Radius Fracture](/conditions/distal-radius-fracture/) explains a related injury. Inflammatory joint disease can cause warmth, stiffness, and swelling in several joints, including with [Rheumatoid Arthritis](/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/). A hot, red, increasingly tender hand may indicate infection. Numbness, marked colour change, or cold skin can signal a problem affecting nerves or blood flow.

Take off rings, a watch, or bracelets from the right hand and wrist. Rest from lifting and repeated gripping. If an injury is plausible, support the hand comfortably, raise it, and apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth for short periods. Avoid tight wrapping and do not try to straighten a deformed finger. Record when the swelling started, whether it is spreading, and whether the other hand feels different. Seek an appointment if it does not settle or interferes with daily tasks.

Get urgent help for a blue, pale, cold, or numb hand; rapidly increasing swelling; severe pain; inability to move the fingers; deformity; an open injury; fever; or redness spreading up the hand or arm. Emergency symptoms such as sudden arm weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, chest pain, or breathlessness require immediate emergency care.

Ask whether you need an X-ray or another examination, which activities to avoid, how to preserve finger movement, and how quickly you should return if pain or swelling changes.