Indeed it has happened to you before you suddenly feel pressure and slight inflammation, and your fingers swell so much that you can’t even take off your rings. Sometimes it happens at work or while you are walking, in the afternoon or at night.
But why this? The reasons that make your fingers swell are very varied. To begin with, it is widespread to notice excess work or effort in this area.
In general, swelling in any part of the body is due to a buildup of fluids. In turn, the cause of this may be poor circulation. However, sometimes it is also a symptom of other diseases. Let’s see.
Contents
Why do fingers swell?
1. Hypertension
Having high or unbalanced blood pressure causes our circulatory system to flow more strongly. There is a high blood velocity from the heart to the lungs.Consequently, we get more tired, and at the same time, this circulatory intensity unbalances the extremities, particularly the fingers. So, our hands feel cold, and our fingers swell because our blood vessels open more. This can translate into edema and inflammation.
2. Venous insufficiency
Although both problems may occur in obese people, venous insufficiency and hypertension are unrelated.
In either case, if the valves in the legs and arms, which pump blood back to the heart, begin to fail, this can lead to varicose veins and the fingers and toes swelling.
3. Fluid retention
When there is fluid accumulation, swelling occurs in the limbs. It commonly occurs in the legs, ankles, heels, and feet. But the fingers of the hands also swell.
It can be noticed if, when pressing the area, a dimple or depression is formed; that is, the skin seems to give way. This type of edema can be temporary and sometimes disappear without treatment.
4. Kidney malfunction
Fluid retention can have various causes, from circulatory or heart problems to liver and kidney disease. In particular, when the kidneys do not work well, and liquids are not eliminated through the urine, they accumulate in the feet or legs and other areas, causing swelling of the fingers.
5. Excess weight
Obesity or having a few extra kilos causes alterations in the lymphatic system. This imbalance causes us to retain liquids in our hands and feet.
Then we feel swollen fingers. On our feet, for example, our shoes don’t fit. On the other hand, we think of frequent tingling in the hands and seeing how the fingers swell.
6. Carpal tunnel
Another cause is the so-called carpal tunnel in our hands. It is common to have a constriction of the blood supply in this area due to a compression of the median nerve.
The said syndrome causes a feeling of numbness in the fingers. In addition, it is accompanied by cold and swelling of the same. At times, it can affect task performance.
7. Allergic reaction
In some cases, the swelling can also be due to an allergic reaction after a foreign body enters our body. To defend ourselves against it, histamine is released into the bloodstream to combat it.
Such a release of said substance sometimes causes the fingers to swell. Given this reaction, we need to take antihistamine medications under prescription.8. Infection
The infection occurs when the germs enter our skin through some injury; sometimes, a tiny cut is enough. It also usually coincides with a drop in defenses.
One of your fingers may begin to swell, and you feel pain. Sometimes we can have infected tissue that reaches the bone, which causes fever.
9. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects the joints. The wear of these, and cartilage in particular, can affect the fingers.
This disorder is usually excruciating, especially in the morning. Also, it is common to feel stiff fingers and have difficulty moving them.
10. Other reasons
- Poor sleeping posture: the person may clench their hands, bend their wrists, or sleep facing the mattress with their arms under their body.
- One response to high temperatures may be dilating the blood vessels, drawing more blood to the extremities, which can cause the fingers to swell.
- Pregnancy: swollen hands are often noticed during the third trimester; however, attention must be paid, as it could be a symptom of preeclampsia.
- Response to the effort when we work or when we exercise.
- A combination of several of the factors mentioned.
How can I improve swollen fingers?
1. Exercises to eliminate tingling
- We can reduce fluid retention by moving the fingers: first squeezing, then shrinking, and finally stretching. This movement makes the blood flow better.
- Another suitable exercise is to join the two palms of the hands (as if you were praying) and raise them above your head. This also helps us to compensate for our circulation.
2. Take natural diuretics
If your fingers swell from fluid retention, taking diuretic foods could help you. As long as the doctor or nutritionist endorses its consumption, you can try some juices known for the diuretic effects of their ingredients and thus try to improve this problem.
For example, chicory is a plant used above all for its anti-inflammatory properties; it is believed that it could positively affect fluid retention.
Also include in your diet foods such as green tea, celery, carrots, tomatoes, onion, eggplant, asparagus, artichoke, watercress, cucumber, Brussels sprouts, or lettuce.
3. Balanced diet without salt
Reducing salt should be a basic guideline if your fingers swell. In this way, our body could improve fluid retention and circulation. Salt causes thirst and increased fluid intake, which is then retained in the intravascular compartment.
Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate salt from meals or replace it with some herbs to enhance food flavor. Also, we will notice a big difference if we follow a fiber-rich diet with fruits and vegetables. We should also eliminate industrial fats and additives.
4. Compression gloves
If your fingers swell regularly, you can resort to understanding gloves, which are sold in pharmacies. These gloves are handy in many cases, as they exert adequate pressure on the hands and fingers. Thus, excess fluid is released.
Fingers swell: a sign from the body.
While the above foods and techniques may help improve finger swelling, it can be a sign of more severe conditions, especially if it persists or other symptoms occur.
But we can prevent significant problems if we are aware of them. The most convenient thing is that you go to your doctor to conduct the corresponding check-ups to detect the root of the problem.