Swelling of hands and fingers can have various causes. It is often accompanied by pain. Stiffness, redness and warmth may also be seen, along with swelling and pain. Sometimes there is weakness in the hands and it is difficult to hold objects. It can simply be the result of eating excessive salt, exercising, sitting in the same position for long periods of time such as while traveling, taking certain medications such as steroids, pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, hormonal therapies with estrogen or testosterone, some medications that are used to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. But in other cases, it may stem from an underlying medical condition. Sometimes the swelling goes away on its own, while in other cases a diagnosis and medical treatment are needed.
The first of the several medical causes of swollen hands is arthritis (joint inflammation). Several types of arthritis may be responsible. These include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint inflammation that starts in small joints, mainly in the hands, and results in pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Osteoarthritis is caused by damage to the articular cartilage due to wear and tear. Gout refers to inflammation of joints due to high uric acid levels, leading to pain, swelling, redness and heat in the joints. Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that often occurs in people who already suffer from a skin condition called psoriasis (red, inflamed patches of skin covered with silvery-white scales). The second reason behind swelling can be injury. The injury may include sprain (overstretching or tearing of the ligaments, that is, the bands of tissue that connect one bone to another), broken bone, for example a fracture or a bone dislocation.
Another cause may be fluid retention. This can have several causes, such as eating a lot of salty foods, pregnancy, blockage of the lymphatic system, or thyroid, kidney or liver disease. It can also occur in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), where the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. The next cause can be an infection, such as a skin infection (cellulitis) or an infection in the joint. Felon and paronychia are infections that cause localized swelling of the finger. Felon is an infection in the fingertip and paronychia is an infection around the nail bed where the nail and skin meet. Ganglion (fluid-filled lump) is another condition that can cause localized swelling of the finger joint. Skin condition such as contact dermatitis (itchy rash, with swelling or blisters) that occurs due to a reaction to a touch irritant such as a chemical, soap and another condition, chilblains (swollen, inflamed areas on the hands and feet resulting from exposure to cold air) can lead to swelling of the hands. Tendinitis (inflamed tendons that are bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone) can also lead to swelling of the hand. Raynaud’s disease (decreased blood circulation to the fingers caused by narrowing of the arteries due to cold temperatures, stress, injury to the hands) may also be one of the causes.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy can be a great help for swollen hands and fingers. Homeopathic medicines are natural remedies that help reduce swelling by treating its underlying cause. Once the cause is treated, long-lasting relief occurs. In addition to swelling, pain and stiffness in the hands and fingers are also controlled with these medications. After detailed case analysis, the most suitable homeopathic medicine for swollen hands and fingers is selected for each case. It is advisable to always consult a homeopathic doctor for the correct prescription for swollen hands and fingers. Self-medication should be avoided in any case. In cases where a serious cause is associated with swelling such as disease in the kidneys or liver, immediate relief through the conventional mode of treatment should be sought as homeopathy has limitations in treating cases arising from serious causes.
Homeopathic medicines for swollen hands and fingers
1. Apis Mellifica – For swelling due to redness and heat
This medicine is well indicated for treating cases of swelling of the hands and fingers accompanied by redness and warm feeling. A stabbing sensation is also associated with it. A stinging and painful sensation in the hands may also be present. Sometimes itching on the hands is palpable. A tearing pain in the fingers may also occur. In some cases, the swelling can even extend to the forearm. In cases where this is necessary, the wrist and finger joints are the most swollen. One may feel stiffness in the right hand. In some cases, numbness can be felt in the fingers, especially on the tips. This medicine works well for swelling due to inflamed joints and for skin conditions.
2. Rhus Tox – For swelling due to inflamed joints
Rhus Tox is an effective medicine for controlling swelling of hands and fingers in joint inflammation. It is accompanied by pain in the hands and fingers. In some cases, the pain starts in the right hand and extends to the other parts. A burning sensation may be felt in the palm of the right hand. Stiffness in the hands and fingers is also well marked. There is pain when moving the fingers due to the swelling. Tearing pain is felt in the finger joints. There is a prickling sensation on the fingertips when gripping things. Sometimes a crawling sensation occurs on the fingertips. In addition, Rhus Tox is well indicated for skin infections of hands and fingers. In such cases, there is swelling of the hands and fingers with pus-filled eruptions. It is accompanied by itching and a burning sensation.
3. Colchicum – against swelling due to gout (increased uric acid levels)
Colchicum is well indicated for the treatment of swollen hands in gout, i.e. high uric acid levels. In addition, there is pain in the joints of the hands and fingers. Stiffness and tearing pain are felt in the hands. There may be a heated feeling on the palms. It’s hard to hold on to things. Sometimes there is numbness of the hands with a prickling sensation. In some cases there may be deformity of the finger joints. Fingers can be cold. Tingling on the fingertips is sometimes felt together with the above complaints.
4. Caulophyllum – For swollen, painful, stiff finger joints
This medicine is very valuable in the treatment of swollen, painful and stiff finger joints. It is indicated if this is the result of joint inflammation. The pain is in most cases cutting, along with swelling. It is felt when closing the hands in a fist. Stiffness is also felt in the finger joints. In addition to the above complaints, painful nodes on the finger joints may also be present in some cases.
5. Agaricus – For swollen hands from chilblains
Agaricus is one of the best choices of homeopathic medicine to treat swollen hands due to chilblains. In cases where this is necessary, the hands are red and swelling. A burning sensation is felt in the hands. Itching is also well marked. With the above complaints, tearing pain in the hands and fingers may occur.
6. Silicea – In case of swollen fingertip due to infection (felon)
Silicea is indicated for efficiently treating cases of felons (bacterial infections in the fingertip). In cases where this is necessary, there is swelling and excessive pain in the offenders, which interferes with sleep. The pain can sometimes reach the shoulder. The pain is mainly throbbing or stabbing. A burning sensation is felt by the criminal. The oozing of fluid containing pus is noticed by a criminal.
7. Hepar Sulph – For swelling around the fingernail due to infection (Paronychia)
Hepar Sulph is an important medicine for treating cases of swelling around the fingernail due to soft tissue infection where the nail and skin meet. In cases where this is necessary, the skin around the affected nail is swollen and inflamed. It is painful and gives a warm feeling. A throbbing sensation is felt in it. There is pain that gets worse at night. Pus comes out that may be stained with blood. The discharge smells bad.