Blush and Bar
Blush and Bar
It’s frustrating.
Your hands feel swollen, and you don’t know why.
Your fingers feel like sausages, and your ring barely fits. What’s going on?
A doctor might inform you that you’re suffering from edema, but that’s just the technical term for swelling.
Any number of things might be causing it.
But more importantly, any number of things could bring that swelling back to normal.
That’s what we’ll look at today—the top ten ways to reduce swelling in your hands.
It’s frustrating.
Your hands feel swollen, and you don’t know why.
Your fingers feel like sausages, and your ring barely fits. What’s going on?
A doctor might inform you that you’re suffering from edema, but that’s just the technical term for swelling.
Any number of things might be causing it.
But more importantly, any number of things could bring that swelling back to normal.
That’s what we’ll look at today—the top ten ways to reduce swelling in your hands.
Before we jump into the remedies, let’s take a quick peek at what might be causing the problem in the first place.
Swelling is what we feel when there’s a buildup of fluid in our hands.
Typically, your hand will look puffy or larger than normal and might look slightly shiny.
Of course, we’re not physicians, and if you’re experiencing swelling with other symptoms,
Source: Julia Oneda from Pexels
it could be time to make an appointment with your doctor.
But more often than not, swelling in your hands doesn’t indicate anything serious.
With a few quick fixes, you can be back to normal in no time.
What are those quick fixes? Glad you asked!
Source: Julia Oneda from Pexels
Before we jump into the remedies, let’s take a quick peek at what might be causing the problem in the first place.
Swelling is what we feel when there’s a buildup of fluid in our hands.
Typically, your hand will look puffy or larger than normal and might look slightly shiny.
Of course, we’re not physicians, and if you’re experiencing swelling with other symptoms,
it could be time to make an appointment with your doctor.
But more often than not, swelling in your hands doesn’t indicate anything serious.
With a few quick fixes, you can be back to normal in no time.
What are those quick fixes? Glad you asked!
If your hands tend to swell when it’s hot outside or during or after working out, heat could be the reason.
When we’re hot, our bodies naturally expand our blood vessels to cool us down. It helps keep us cool for sure, but also leaves our hands looking bloated.
Since heat is one of the most common reasons for swollen hands, this remedy should be first on your list to try.
You’ll want to find an ice pack (or even a bag of frozen vegetables), wrap it in a towel, and hold it against you
After ten minutes, take a 10-minute break. You can keep alternating like this for a few cycles, or until the swelling goes down.
Another method is to run your hands under cool tap water or immerse them in a container of cold water.
If your hands tend to swell when it’s hot outside or during or after working out, heat could be the reason.
When we’re hot, our bodies naturally expand our blood vessels to cool us down. It helps keep us cool for sure, but also leaves our hands looking bloated.
Since heat is one of the most common reasons for swollen hands, this remedy should be first on your list to try.
You’ll want to find an ice pack (or even a bag of frozen vegetables), wrap it in a towel, and hold it against you
After ten minutes, take a 10-minute break. You can keep alternating like this for a few cycles, or until the swelling goes down.
Another method is to run your hands under cool tap water or immerse them in a container of cold water.
This tip works both ways.
If you’re already swollen, tight clothing and accessories will only make it worse.
But sometimes, that tight clothing itself can be what’s causing the swelling.
Make sure you’re wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
You can also take off any rings, bracelets, watches, or other accessories that might be cutting off your circulation.
This tip works both ways.
If you’re already swollen, tight clothing and accessories will only make it worse.
But sometimes, that tight clothing itself can be what’s causing the swelling.
Make sure you’re wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
You can also take off any rings, bracelets, watches, or other accessories that might be cutting off your circulation.
Yes, you read that right. While excess fluids cause swelling, your body is actually more likely to store up fluids when it’s dehydrated.
When you’re dehydrated, your body senses that water is a precious resource and decides to hoard it for as long as possible.
The solution is easy—let your body see that there’s plenty of water around. For the next few hours, drink a glass of water every hour.
Source: Yasuo Takeuchi on Unsplash
If you’re in the sun or working out, you might want to bump that amount up.
You can still be dehydrated if you’re losing water faster than you’re drinking it.
Source: Yasuo Takeuchi on Unsplash
Yes, you read that right. While excess fluids cause swelling, your body is actually more likely to store up fluids when it’s dehydrated.
When you’re dehydrated, your body senses that water is a precious resource and decides to hoard it for as long as possible.
The solution is easy—let your body see that there’s plenty of water around. For the next few hours, drink a glass of water every hour.
If you’re in the sun or working out, you might want to bump that amount up.
You can still be dehydrated if you’re losing water faster than you’re drinking it.
It’s no secret that salt makes us thirsty.
That’s because salt encourages our body’s cells to store water.
And guess what that does to the cells in our hands? You got it! They swell.
(In fact, bodybuilders make sure to cut salt out of their diets a few days before going on stage to look even leaner.)
Source: Bruno /Germany from Pixabay
But what if you don’t eat a lot of salt? You might find sodium sneaking into your diet in other foods.
A number of foods aren’t “salty,” but still have lots of sodium. A single slice of bread, for example, can contain10% of your daily sodium intake or more.
Start checking the nutrition labels of the food you eat regularly. You might find some serious surprises.
(Medication for rheumatoid arthritis may also cause salt retention. If you’re taking this medication and seeing swelling, check with your doctor.)
Source: Bruno /Germany from Pixabay
It’s no secret that salt makes us thirsty.
That’s because salt encourages our body’s cells to store water.
And guess what that does to the cells in our hands? You got it! They swell.
(In fact, bodybuilders make sure to cut salt out of their diets a few days before going on stage to look even leaner.)
But what if you don’t eat a lot of salt? You might find sodium sneaking into your diet in other foods.
A number of foods aren’t “salty,” but still have lots of sodium. A single slice of bread, for example, can contain10% of your daily sodium intake or more.
Start checking the nutrition labels of the food you eat regularly. You might find some serious surprises.
(Medication for rheumatoid arthritis may also cause salt retention. If you’re taking this medication and seeing swelling, check with your doctor.)
One of the best remedies for swelling is the simplest—stretch it out.
When our arms hang down by our sides, gravity tends to make sure that any fluid in our hands stays put.
And while keeping your hands at your side probably won’t cause swelling, it can keep your hands swollen longer.
To fix it, just stretch every once in a while.
Reach your hands up to the ceiling, and hold them there for a few minutes.
Source: Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
Since the cartilage holds the joint together, less cartilage leaves the joint with empty space, leading to a feeling of looseness.
Source: Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
One of the best remedies for swelling is the simplest—stretch it out.
When our arms hang down by our sides, gravity tends to make sure that any fluid in our hands stays put.
And while keeping your hands at your side probably won’t cause swelling, it can keep your hands swollen longer.
To fix it, just stretch every once in a while.
Reach your hands up to the ceiling, and hold them there for a few minutes.
Since the cartilage holds the joint together, less cartilage leaves the joint with empty space, leading to a feeling of looseness.
If you wake up with swollen hands in the morning or after sitting still for a while, this might be the tip for you.
When we keep our hands still, like when we’re asleep, they can naturally become swollen. The solution is just to keep your hands moving.
One technique to activate more blood flow in your hands is to put your arms in front of you and draw wide circles with them.
You can also gently massage your hands with each stroke moving towards the heart. If you like, you can even sleep with your hands on a pillow to keep them above the heart.
If you’re pregnant, you may notice swelling in the hands and feet happens more frequently. Stretches and massages like this can help.
(But if you’re pregnant and notice swelling around the face or that causes discomfort, contact a doctor.)
If you wake up with swollen hands in the morning or after sitting still for a while, this might be the tip for you.
When we keep our hands still, like when we’re asleep, they can naturally become swollen. The solution is just to keep your hands moving.
One technique to activate more blood flow in your hands is to put your arms in front of you and draw wide circles with them.
You can also gently massage your hands with each stroke moving towards the heart. If you like, you can even sleep with your hands on a pillow to keep them above the heart.
If you’re pregnant, you may notice swelling in the hands and feet happens more frequently. Stretches and massages like this can help.
(But if you’re pregnant and notice swelling around the face or that causes discomfort, contact a doctor.)
If you’ve noticed extra swelling during your period, doctors have found a simple solution—take some magnesium.
Specifically, a daily 200mg supplement has been shown to reduce swelling.
You can find magnesium supplements at your local pharmacy.
Source: aixklusiv from Pixabay
If you’ve noticed extra swelling during your period, doctors have found a simple solution—take some magnesium.
Specifically, a daily 200mg supplement has been shown to reduce swelling.
You can find magnesium supplements at your local pharmacy.
You’re right—this is the opposite of tip #1, to cool down your hands.
But it turns out that heat can also help remove swelling in your hands, just like it can reduce swelling and inflammation for a sprained ankle.
To make this work, you can use a heating pad or a washcloth soaked in hot water.
Just like with the ice pack, you’ll want to use it on your hands for ten minutes with a 10-minute break.
You’re right—this is the opposite of tip #1, to cool down your hands.
But it turns out that heat can also help remove swelling in your hands, just like it can reduce swelling and inflammation for a sprained ankle.
To make this work, you can use a heating pad or a washcloth soaked in hot water.
Just like with the ice pack, you’ll want to use it on your hands for ten minutes with a 10-minute break.
Source: James Fitzgerald on Unsplash
First, create a “short” fist by bringing your fingertips down to touch the upper palm, near where your fingers start.
Create a fist, hold it, then release slowly.
Next, create a “long” fist by stretching your fingers down to touch the bottom of your palm, near the wrist.
Make a fist, hold it, then let go.
If this technique is particularly effective, you can also purchase a therapy glove that applies consistent, light compression to the fingers and hand.
Source: James Fitzgerald on Unsplash
Sometimes, you can reduce the swelling in your hands using a little bit of pressure.
The easiest way to do this is to make a fist.
Hold it tightly for a few seconds, then open your hand back up slowly and repeat.
Another variation of this is to make a “long” and “short” fist.
First, create a “short” fist by bringing your fingertips down to touch the upper palm, near where your fingers start.
Create a fist, hold it, then release slowly.
Next, create a “long” fist by stretching your fingers down to touch the bottom of your palm, near the wrist.
Make a fist, hold it, then let go.
If this technique is particularly effective, you can also purchase a therapy glove that applies consistent, light compression to the fingers and hand.
If none of the above techniques has worked for you, then it’s time to go into sleuth mode.
You’ll want to keep a journal—either an old-fashioned one with paper and pen or just regular notes on your smartphone—each time you experience swelling.
While swelling usually isn’t a cause for concern, it can be a side effect of allergies or be caused by your environment or activities.
Each time your hands swell, note the time, what you were doing, wearing, and anything you’ve recently been eating or drinking.
You may immediately notice a pattern—being outside on a hot day, or after waking in the morning or from a nap.
If you don’t notice a pattern, sharing your journal entries with your doctor will help them figure out what the cause is.
Source: aixklusiv from Pixabay
If none of the above techniques has worked for you, then it’s time to go into sleuth mode.
You’ll want to keep a journal—either an old-fashioned one with paper and pen or just regular notes on your smartphone—each time you experience swelling.
While swelling usually isn’t a cause for concern, it can be a side effect of allergies or be caused by your environment or activities.
Each time your hands swell, note the time, what you were doing, wearing, and anything you’ve recently been eating or drinking.
You may immediately notice a pattern—being outside on a hot day, or after waking in the morning or from a nap.
If you don’t notice a pattern, sharing your journal entries with your doctor will help them figure out what the cause is.
There you go—ten ways to reduce the swelling in your hands.
As we mentioned earlier, swelling usually isn’t a symptom to be worried about. Just try the recommendations in the list above and see what works.
Of course, it’s time to check in with a doctor if you’re seeing swelling on a regular basis.
Either way, these remedies should help bring the swelling down.
And more importantly—make your hands look and feel normal!
[a]Did you mean fluid retention or salt (sodium?) retention? I found fluid retention or fluid buildup as a side effect but not salt retention.
[b]Good question! So the original source I used (Medical News Today) says that it's salt retention, which is where that sentence came from. It looks like medicines cause salt retention, which results in fluid retention. So I'll just keep it as-is since the section is on sodium. :)
There you go—ten ways to reduce the swelling in your hands.
As we mentioned earlier, swelling usually isn’t a symptom to be worried about. Just try the recommendations in the list above and see what works.
Of course, it’s time to check in with a doctor if you’re seeing swelling on a regular basis.
Either way, these remedies should help bring the swelling down.
And more importantly—make your hands look and feel normal!
[a]Did you mean fluid retention or salt (sodium?) retention? I found fluid retention or fluid buildup as a side effect but not salt retention.
[b]Good question! So the original source I used (Medical News Today) says that it's salt retention, which is where that sentence came from. It looks like medicines cause salt retention, which results in fluid retention. So I'll just keep it as-is since the section is on sodium. :)
Most retail stores charge 8 to 10 times the actual cost while Blush and Bar sells directly to you. No stores, cashiers, or middlemen means more savings in your pocket.
Never worry about your jewelry turning green 18K Gold Vermeil assures your jewelry lasts. For a piece to be considered Vermeil, the Gold must be a minimum of 10k and 1.5 microns. We use 18k Gold layered on 925 Sterling Silver.
Most retail stores charge 8 to 10 times the actual cost while Blush and Bar sells directly to you. No stores, cashiers, or middlemen means more savings in your pocket.
Never worry about your jewelry turning green 18K Gold Vermeil assures your jewelry lasts. For a piece to be considered Vermeil, the Gold must be a minimum of 10k and 1.5 microns. We use 18k Gold layered on 925 Sterling Silver.
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