What causes swollen fingers

Fingers are used most frequently in our daily lives, which can easily lead to finger injuries. Once some kind of injury occurs, it may cause swelling of the fingers. In addition, swelling of some fingers may also be a sign of more serious diseases, especially in the summer when the weather is hot, which can easily lead to blood vessel dilation. At this time, the body loses more body fluids, which can easily induce edema. In addition, some arthritis, fasciitis, etc. can easily lead to symptoms of swollen fingers. The harm to patients is relatively large, so we must pay attention to health care in daily life, protect our hands at ordinary times, wear gloves when the weather is too cold, and pay attention to moisturizing when the weather is dry.

Causes of swollen fingers

1. Excessive salt intake:

Restaurant dishes, commercial snacks, and any fried foods contain a lot of salt, which causes water to be retained in the body and leads to edema. It is best to keep the body in a balance of water and salt. Taking in more salt means the body must retain more water to eliminate the saltiness, which can cause swelling. Generally speaking, swelling caused by the salt in the food will disappear within a day, but too much salt will make the swelling last longer. If you have reduced your salt intake and the swelling persists, you should see a doctor to check if there is another medical condition.

2. Osteoarthritis:

If your finger joints become swollen, this may be a symptom of osteoarthritis. This disease is caused by degeneration of cartilage in the joints and is more common in middle-aged and elderly people and obese people. Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by pain and stiffness, but not always. Many other types of arthritis can also cause swelling and pain in the fingers. Excessive hand activities should be avoided to reduce joint wear. Medication injections may also be given to reduce inflammation.

3. Carpal tunnel syndrome:

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve that runs from the forearm to the hand becomes compressed at the wrist, causing swelling and weakness in the hand. It is also accompanied by pain, burning, tingling and numbness. These symptoms usually develop slowly over time. Studies have found that women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men.

4. Lymphedema:

Lymph fluid carries waste products, bacteria and viruses out of the body. When lymph fluid cannot be adequately discharged, it can cause lymphedema, which leads to swelling of the limbs. At this time, the fingers, toes, and upper and lower limbs will swell. You may also feel your skin is tighter or thicker than usual. Women who have had surgery or radiation therapy for breast cancer are at higher risk for lymphedema. Rarely, abnormal growths in the lymphatic system can cause lymphedema.

5. Raynaud’s disease

Raynaud's disease refers to paroxysmal spasms of the extremities' arteries caused by constriction of the blood vessels, usually triggered by cold weather or stress. The reduced blood flow due to constriction of the arteries can cause the fingers to feel cold and numb. Swelling occurs when blood circulation returns to normal when the temperature warms up or the pressure is removed. This disease is relatively common and occurs more often in women than in men. If you notice your fingers or hands turning bluish or pale, followed by swelling, this could be a sign of Raynaud's disease.