Why are my hands swollen?

Both hands swelling after heat, activity, or salty meals may reflect temporary fluid movement. Swelling after a knock, twist, or fall points toward an injury, while warmth, redness, morning stiffness, or several affected joints can indicate inflammation. One-sided swelling, numbness, or a change in colour raises different concerns. Distal radius fracture presents with swelling after wrist trauma. Rheumatoid arthritis presents with inflammatory joint swelling and stiffness. These conditions are examples of what a clinician may consider, not conclusions based on swelling alone.

Notice whether the swelling is in the fingers, knuckles, wrist, or whole hand. Record its onset, triggers, duration, and any rash, pain, stiffness, fever, breathlessness, or new medicine.

Remove tight rings, watches, and gloves. Rest the hand from activities that worsen the swelling, elevate it when comfortable, and use gentle finger movement if movement is not painful. Do not force a stiff joint or massage an area that is hot, very tender, or newly injured. A clinician can review medicines and medical history and examine the joints, skin, nerves, and blood flow. Take a photo when the swelling is most noticeable so the change is easier to describe.

Seek urgent help for swelling with breathing difficulty, facial or tongue swelling, faintness, sudden weakness, a cold or blue hand, or severe pain after injury. Arrange prompt assessment for spreading redness, warmth with fever, rapidly increasing swelling, or loss of feeling. Book a routine review if the swelling recurs, does not settle, or makes normal hand use difficult. The Hand Swelling page provides additional symptom guidance.

What features of my swelling help distinguish fluid retention from injury or inflammation? Could any medicine or health condition contribute? Do I need tests, activity changes, or a follow-up plan?