What to do for a swollen hand

Swelling can follow a minor strain, joint inflammation, an infection or a fracture, and each may need different care. Notice whether the hand is warm, red, bruised, stiff or unusually painful. A swollen wrist after a fall can involve a distal radius fracture even if the injury seemed minor. Several swollen finger joints with stiffness after rest may fit an inflammatory pattern, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A hand that is cold, pale, blue, numb or difficult to move needs urgent assessment because circulation or nerve function may be affected.

First take off rings, bracelets and a tight watch. Then pause lifting, forceful gripping and repetitive hand work. Support the hand above heart level when resting if that is comfortable. Apply a cool pack wrapped in fabric for brief periods, checking the skin between applications. Keep fingers moving gently unless movement is blocked or sharply painful. Avoid heat, vigorous massage and unprescribed medicines while the cause is uncertain. If swelling follows an injury, arrange assessment rather than repeatedly testing the hand. If it has no clear cause or keeps returning, make a routine appointment.

Seek urgent care when swelling comes with severe pain, deformity, rapidly spreading redness, fever, pus, new numbness, colour change or loss of movement. Emergency help is appropriate if you also have trouble breathing or swelling of the lips or face. Contact a clinician soon if symptoms are not improving or are stopping normal hand use.

Ask whether you should use a splint, which movements are suitable, and what timeframe is reasonable for improvement. Explain how the swelling started, what makes it worse, and any injury, illness, medicine or skin break that came before it.