Swelling of the hands due to allergies: causes and what to do. Why can fingers swell?

Swelling of the upper extremities, as a rule, alarms people, especially in cases where the arms swell suddenly, or it happens constantly, but the cause of this phenomenon has not been identified. If your fingers are swollen, you should immediately consult a doctor for help.

When the phalanges of the fingers hurt and swelling appears, this may indicate the development of a number of serious diseases. Most often, this symptom accompanies rheumatoid arthritis. With this pathology, the joints become inflamed and the hands swell in certain places. In this case, the person experiences discomfort. If the phalanges of the fingers are swollen and severe pain is felt, the temperature rises, this indicates the development of inflammation. You should definitely visit a doctor. It is important to start treating rheumatoid arthritis on time. If the phalanges of your fingers hurt, you should definitely smear them with special ointments and apply compresses. Anti-inflammatory therapy may also be suggested.

If the fingers swell mainly after sleep and a person has problems with urination, it is quite possible that he has certain problems with the functioning of the kidneys or liver.

If the phalanges of the fingers swell, but there is no pain in them, this may indicate problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Often a person may experience other symptoms. For example, shortness of breath and dizziness may appear. Often, fingers swell when the ambient temperature changes or after a walk. In such cases, consultation with a cardiologist is necessary. The disease can be quite serious and treatment should be started immediately, especially if the patient experiences discomfort in the chest area. After the therapy, the swelling goes away.

If your palms and fingers are swollen, this may be due to excessive fluid intake. Often these symptoms appear in the evening. A person should check how his kidneys are working. To do this, it is better to consult a urologist.

The appearance of swelling may also indicate an allergy. In this case, the fingers and palms suddenly swell, and the person may have never encountered such a phenomenon before. A tumor can appear as a result of eating allergenic foods or even contact with pollen or inhalation of dust. There are a huge number of allergens that can lead to swelling. Moreover, each person can react to contact with certain things individually. Some people's hands swell, and some may even experience suffocation and notice swelling on their face.

If the phalanx of a finger on your hand is swollen, this may be a consequence of eczema. In this case, peeling and redness are usually observed. The fingers are very itchy. If you observe such symptoms, you should immediately consult a specialist. Skin diseases tend to progress and become more difficult to cure over time. If you diagnose eczema and dermatitis in time, you can avoid a number of problems in the future.

When dropsy of the fingers is observed constantly, this may be a consequence of enlarged lymph nodes. To check this assumption, you need to move your hand to the side and palpate the lymph node in the armpit. If compaction is observed there, you should immediately consult a physician. There can be many reasons for node enlargement.

Swelling of the fingers may be a consequence of traumatic exposure to them. If a person previously hit a limb hard, injured or cut it, and then noticed swelling, most likely the cause of its occurrence was the injury. But this phenomenon is a pathology. A tumor may indicate a violation of the integrity of the joint or a fracture. To rule this out, you should immediately see a doctor or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. Specialists will definitely take an x-ray, the results of which will make it clear what to do next. Fingers may also swell as a result of soft tissue bruises. In this case, you can try applying lotions and compresses to the damaged fingers.

If the phalanges are severely swollen and a person experiences unbearable pain, it is difficult for him to move his arms, this may be a symptom of a fracture. To avoid unnecessary consequences, you should fix the phalanx in a stationary position and consult a doctor. If a splint is not at hand, it is permissible to bandage your finger to a wooden ruler.

When your fingers are swollen and an open wound is visible, you must definitely disinfect the surface. In this case, a visit to the doctor is mandatory. The swelling indicates that inflammation has begun. This can be very dangerous. If you do not receive qualified help in time, you may even lose a finger. Unfortunately, such cases also happen. Even a minor wound can cause blood poisoning if there is contact with contaminated surfaces.

When the fingers swell predominantly in the upper part, this may indicate the development of inflammation as a result of a poorly performed manicure. When cutting cuticles, it is very important to handle the tool carefully. Do not allow bleeding hangnails to form on your hands. This can cause a tumor to develop.

Fingers may also swell slightly during pregnancy. This is usually observed at a later date. But such a phenomenon cannot be considered the norm. In this case, doctors usually recommend that the expectant mother drink less liquid and do not add salt to her food.

The appearance of swelling and swelling on the fingers can indicate either an injury or a serious illness. If the cause of this phenomenon is not clear to a person and the swelling lasts a long time or is very pronounced, you should consult a doctor.

Almost every person knows what to do if the temperature rises or the throat hurts. But not everyone can answer what to do if a finger is swollen. This condition is unpleasant and often painful. It is difficult to bend the phalanges, and any movement brings severe pain. Considering the modern pace of life, this is a huge problem.

Why do my fingers swell?

The most common cause of edema is injury. Moreover, a similar reaction is observed both with a minor bruise and with a fracture.

A fracture will also be accompanied by:

1. Sharp pain when moving.
2. Hypermia.
3. Subcutaneous hematoma.
4. Unnatural finger position.

If injured, you should visit a traumatologist. After all, if there is a suspicion of a fracture, it is necessary to take an x-ray. If necessary, a cast is applied, it will help the proper fusion of bones and cartilage.

Trauma can occur in a variety of situations. Fall, blow, careless handling of traumatic objects. If swelling occurs, then you need to remember what actions preceded it. It may be possible to determine when the injury occurred.

If there was an injury, it is often accompanied by pain, and the skin on the swollen finger is a slightly different color than on others. Often the injured finger is hot.

Joint diseases

If there is no injury, but there is swelling, this may indicate. This is how arthritis and arthrosis manifest themselves. They are characterized by an inflammatory process not only in the joint itself, but also in nearby tissues. In addition to swelling, there will be other signs, including:

If these symptoms exist, then you should go to the doctor and undergo an examination, since joint pathologies can develop quickly, and conservative treatment in the later stages is ineffective, surgery is necessary.

Cut, abrasion

Such injuries are common for every person, but they also lead to swelling of the fingers. Getting such an injury and not noticing is an everyday thing, but infections can penetrate through an open cut and affect not only the finger, but also get into the blood. All this can get complicated. The following signs indicate that there is an open injury on the finger:

If you happen to receive such an injury, you must immediately treat it with an antiseptic to prevent infection.

Splinter

A finger may swell when a splinter gets into it. If previous lesions are excluded, then you need to carefully examine the finger for the presence of splinters. Even small ones can cause pain and swelling and tugging pain, and over time, suppuration can develop.

If a splinter is found, you need to remove it only with sterile instruments, this will prevent infection from entering the wound.

Rings

If the jewelry is chosen the wrong size, it can cause swelling. This happens because normal blood circulation is disrupted, it stagnates in the phalanx, and this entails swelling. Greater severity can be observed when trying to remove the jewelry.

But even a ring selected in size can cause swelling, which is especially common in people leading a sedentary lifestyle. There is a risk of edema in people who eat a lot of salty foods and are overweight. In this case, there may be other manifestations:

1. Respiratory dysfunction.
2. Malfunctions of the heart and blood vessels.

This leads to more serious diseases.

How to remove swelling on fingers?

There are apparently many causes of swelling of the fingers; the method of eliminating swelling depends on its root cause. Whatever causes it is a pathology and requires intervention. If you cannot independently determine why the swelling occurred, you should seek help from a doctor.

Help with injuries

If there is a fracture, then help can only be provided in a hospital. In this case, the main task is to immobilize the finger and get to the hospital. It is easy to apply a splint; you can use available tools - a pencil, a ruler, tree branches and a piece of fabric or a bandage. The found base needs to be tied to your finger - this will help avoid aggravating the situation.

For cuts and abrasions, if they lead to swelling, the wound should be treated with an antiseptic, which will prevent secondary infection. If iodine, alcohol, brilliant green, or vodka are not on hand, then you can resort to traditional medicine, including:

1. Potatoes - you need to grate them on a fine grater.
2. Apply the resulting pulp to the wound.
3. Place a cabbage leaf, previously washed in water, on top.
4. Secure the compress with a bandage or plaster.

You need to keep it for 10-12 hours, it is most convenient to leave it overnight.

If there is a weeping wound on the finger, it is treated with streptocide, which can be bought in tablet form at any pharmacy. The tablet must first be crushed and applied in powder form.

Dealing with hot weather

If this is the cause of the swelling, then the main method of combating it is rest. In order to speed up the process of swelling subsiding, you can dip your hands in cool water, then raise them above head level for 10-15 minutes.

If the reason is the ring?

The first step is to remove the provoking factor, that is, remove the ring. You certainly don’t want to cut it, and you don’t need to do that, you can do this:

1. Dilute the soap in warm water and apply it to your hands. After this, carefully begin to remove the ring.
2. Lubricate your hands with any fat: vegetable or sunflower oil, lard.
3. You can also treat your finger with Vaseline.

When removing the ring, there is no need to make sudden movements, this can only aggravate the situation. If none of the suggestions help, then the decoration will still have to be cut off.

Treatment of joint pathologies

If the cause of swelling is joint disease, then you need to undergo diagnostics and find out the type of lesion. In case of severe swelling, first aid can be provided at home by applying any ointment that contains heparin as an active ingredient to the swollen finger. It fights inflammation and improves blood circulation.

At home, before visiting a doctor, you can get rid of swelling by using a honey compress:

1. Mix 1 tbsp. l honey with flour until you get a batter.
2. Apply the resulting substance to the swollen finger and wrap it with a bandage.
3. Keep the compress for 3-6 hours.
4. After the time has passed, replace the “dough” with fresh one.

The swelling should go away within a few days.

If prescribed by a doctor, you can take NSAIDs, which help relieve pain and inflammation, and with them swelling.

Fighting arthritis

This articular pathology is one of the most common. It will not be possible to completely recover from it, but you need to know how to alleviate the condition during an exacerbation. In this case, traditional medicine will come to the rescue, effective methods:

• Burdock compress. You need to wrap a fresh leaf of this plant around your finger and begin to knead until the juice appears. But it is important not to tear the sheet. As soon as the juice begins to stand out, the sheet must be secured with a bandage. You need to keep it until it dries. Repeat the procedure three times.
• Leave the golden mustache pulp filled with alcohol for 2 days in a dark place. Apply to your finger as a compress.
• Mix 50 ml of castor oil, 100 ml of alcohol and 50 g of mustard powder. Add 2 beaten egg whites to this mixture. Apply the resulting cream to the swollen finger.

Help if the cause of swelling is not determined

If it was not possible to determine what caused the swelling, then you need to give the finger maximum rest. To relieve swelling, you can raise your hand above your head and hold it there for 10-15 minutes. A cold compress will also help, but you can keep it for no more than 10 minutes.

Conclusion. Whatever leads to swelling of the fingers, you need to not only get rid of it, but also determine the cause of this condition. A doctor will help with this.

Swelling of the fingers is not a rare phenomenon. If your fingers are swollen, the reasons can be very different: from a banal, incorrect lifestyle, to serious illnesses.

It is important to understand that swelling of the fingers does not occur without a reason. This is not a normal state of the body; something is wrong somewhere. Therefore, it is important to determine why your fingers swell and begin treatment on time.

Diseases of internal organs as a cause of finger swelling

Heart diseases

Cardiovascular pathologies, in which blood stagnates in the systemic circulation, are a fairly common cause of swelling of both the fingers and other parts of the body. If your fingers swell regularly, this may indicate heart failure. The swelling is usually dense to the touch; when pressed, a dimple appears, which soon disappears.

Kidney diseases

If swelling of the fingers occurs, the cause may be kidney disease. Often this is:

• renal failure;
• glomerulonephritis;
• systemic connective tissue diseases;
• kidney amyloidosis;
• tumor processes;
• heavy metal poisoning.

A feature of renal edema is its mobility, that is, you can slightly move the swollen area.

Liver diseases

In liver diseases, edema does not appear immediately. Mainly the legs, hands, face, and abdomen swell. Swelling can occur with liver diseases such as:

• cirrhosis;
• hepatitis;
• damage to the bile ducts;
• vein thrombosis;
• infiltrative lesions;
• neoplasms;
• functional disorders.

Thyroid diseases

A lack of thyroid hormones (myxedema) causes swelling in the face, arms, shoulders and knees. Swelling of the tongue may also occur. When pressing on the site of the swelling, there is no depression left.

Diseases of the joints of the fingers

Arthritis

An inflammatory process that affects the joints of the hands. This disease occurs more often in older women.

With arthritis there is:

• stiffness of the fingers, especially in the morning;
• pain when bending and straightening fingers;
• swelling and swelling around the joints;
• increase in joint size;
• the skin on the knuckles becomes red and tight.

For arthritis, treatment must begin as early as possible and unquestioningly follow all doctor’s recommendations. This will prevent the disease from taking a severe form.

Arthrosis

With this disease, the cartilage and bone tissue of small joints is destroyed. Mostly occurs in old age. Main symptoms:

• aching sensations;
• crunching in joints;
• nodules in the area of ​​the phalanges of the fingers;
• swelling and redness of the skin near the joints;
• limbs lose mobility.

Other diseases

Allergic reaction

Swelling of the hands may be associated with an allergic reaction to household chemicals, cosmetics, medications and certain foods. Often local allergic edema is accompanied by redness and inflammation of the skin, itching, irritation, and sometimes the appearance of small ulcers.

An allergic reaction can also occur at the site of any insect bite (mosquito, wasp, bee).

Gout

With gout, uric acid salts accumulate in the joints. This disease often affects older men. With this disease, the mobility of the fingers is severely limited, which leads to the inability to engage in activities related to manual labor.

During acute attacks of gout, the following symptoms are observed:

• swelling;
• joint pain;
• surges of heat in the phalanges;
• skin redness;
• formation of nodules on the knuckles.

Lymphostasis

Lymphatic edema occurs due to impaired outflow of tissue fluid from the upper extremities. This disease can occur due to surgical removal of lymph nodes, problems with blood vessels, and erysipelas. Lymphostasis often develops in women after breast removal (mastectomy).

Premenstrual syndrome

A few days before the start of menstruation, less of the hormone progesterone begins to enter the blood, which regulates the volume of fluid in the body. As a result, slight swelling of the fingers and toes appears. The swelling is temporary, painless and does not cause severe discomfort.

Injuries

If one finger on the hand swells, it is most likely due to an injury. Its nature can be determined depending on other symptoms. If swelling of the finger is accompanied by severe pain and the inability to move the phalanx, then a dislocation or fracture is possible. In this case, you should immediately contact a traumatology department and take an x-ray.

If the swollen finger turns red or a hematoma appears on it, it may be a simple bruise. In this case, the phalanges also bend quite painfully.

It happens that a slight swelling appears as a result of abrasions and cuts, especially if the wound has become infected. The site of injury swells, becomes inflamed, and purulent discharge may sometimes be observed. Sometimes a finger can become swollen due to a simple splinter. All that is needed in this case is simply to remove the foreign body and the swelling will subside on its own.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

If your fingers often swell, the reasons may be related to an incorrect lifestyle. Drinking a large amount of water or alcohol in the evening can cause swelling in the morning.

Excessive exercise and fatigue can also cause swelling. Often, after working in the garden or long-term hand washing, the fingers become numb, “ache” and swell. After a couple of hours of rest, these symptoms subside.

If there is swelling of the index or middle finger on your right hand, analyze how long you have been sitting at the computer. Using a mouse for a long time can cause just such a symptom.

Methods to combat finger swelling and prevention

To understand how to deal with swelling, you must first determine why your hands are swollen. If any disease occurs, then consultation with a specialist is necessary. In this case, it is important to correctly identify the disease. To do this, pay attention to other symptoms.

If you have injured your finger, you can try to remove the swelling yourself. The best option for this is a cold compress, which is made from pieces of ice wrapped in a clean cloth. Later you can draw the iodine grid.

If the swelling is the result of an inflammatory process, take an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug (Nimesil, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) to relieve pain. And then consult a doctor.

Swelling caused by an allergic reaction is more difficult to remove. The main thing here is to stop contact with the allergen. You can also take an antihistamine (Suprastin, Diazolin, Fenistil).

If the cause of swelling is simple fatigue, premenstrual syndrome, or a sedentary lifestyle, then it is recommended to place your hands on a small elevation (for example, a pillow) while resting. In this case, it is better to remove all jewelry from your hands that squeezes the skin and disrupts blood flow (rings, bracelets, watches). You can also do gymnastics and finger massage. These simple steps will help you get rid of unpleasant sensations.

People who suffer from frequent swelling can take some preventive measures:

• do not drink a lot of liquid at night;
• eat less salty foods;
• eat foods rich in vitamins;
• remove unhealthy foods and fast food from your diet;
• play sports, gymnastics, swimming.

Whatever the factor that causes swelling of the fingers, it cannot be ignored. If the cause is not very serious, then the swelling simply causes discomfort. In the case of any disease, if measures are not taken in time, the consequences can be irreversible and very dangerous. Be healthy!

Arterial blood is transported to the upper limb through the axillary artery, which is a direct continuation of the subclavian artery. There are two subclavian arteries, right and left. The first arises from the brachiocephalic arterial trunk ( arises from the aorta), the second subclavian artery serves as a branch of the aorta. The axillary artery has many branches supplying blood to the armpit, scapula, neck, chest, etc. In the shoulder area ( at the level of the lower edge of the pectoralis major muscle) the axillary artery passes into the brachial artery, which directly delivers arterial blood to the tissues of the shoulder through smaller vessels ( deep brachial artery, deltoid artery, middle collateral artery, etc.).

The veins of the upper extremities are divided into superficial, which lie under the skin in its subcutaneous fatty tissue, and deep, located under the muscles ( or in between). Superficial veins are necessary to collect venous blood from the skin. Venous blood from bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments is collected by deep veins.

The venous system of the shoulder is represented by two superficial ( lateral and medial subcutaneous) and two deep brachial veins, formed in the cubital fossa through the connection of the ulnar and radial veins. In the armpit area, the brachial veins join together to form one axillary vein ( the lateral and medial saphenous veins of the arm flow into it), which flows into the subclavian vein. This vein carries all the venous blood from the upper limb and connects with the brachiocephalic vein, which drains it ( venous blood) further into the superior vena cava.

The lymphatic system of the shoulder region consists of two groups ( external and internal) superficial lymphatic vessels, having the same localization as the lateral and medial saphenous veins of the arm. These two groups connect in the upper shoulder area with the axillary lymph nodes.

In addition to the superficial lymphatic vessels, this zone also contains deep lymphatic vessels. In the lower part of the shoulder, the lymphatic system is represented by only one large lymphatic vessel, starting in the area of ​​the ulnar fossa. This vessel follows along with the brachial artery and ends in the middle part of the shoulder area, flowing into the lymph node of the shoulder. Two efferent lymphatic vessels emerge from this node, collecting lymph from the upper part of the shoulder. In the armpit area they drain into the axillary lymph nodes.

The tissues of the shoulder region are innervated by the medial ( ulnar nerve, medial cutaneous nerve of the shoulder, medial root of the median nerve), lateral ( musculocutaneous nerve, lateral root of the median nerve) and rear ( axillary and radial nerves) bundles of nerves branching from the brachial plexus.

Elbow area

The elbow area is located near the junction of the humerus with the bones of the forearm ( ulnar and radial), which is called the elbow joint. This area also contains many muscles and tendons of the shoulder and forearm. On top of them is the skin.

The elbow area is supplied with blood by branches of the brachialis ( inferior and superior collateral ulnar arteries, as well as the deep brachial artery), ulnar ( ulnar recurrent artery) and radial ( radial recurrent artery) arteries. The branches of these vessels in the elbow region are closely intertwined and form the arterial network of the elbow.

The outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the ulnar region occurs through two brachial veins, the ulnar and radial veins, as well as through the intermediate ulnar and lateral ( outer side) and medial ( inner side) saphenous veins.

The elbow area is drained by the ulnar lymphatic plexus, which includes the ulnar lymph nodes and vessels included ( part of the internal superficial lymphatic vessels and deep lymphatic vessels of the forearm) and outgoing ( deep lymphatic vessels of the shoulder) from these nodes. The rest of the internal group of superficial lymphatic vessels and the external group of superficial lymphatic vessels, which extend to the shoulder along with the lateral saphenous vein of the arm, also participate in the formation of the ulnar lymphatic plexus.

The ulnar zone is innervated by the ulnar, radial, median nerves, as well as the lateral and medial cutaneous nerves of the forearm.

Forearm area

The boundaries of the forearm area are the elbow joint at the top and the wrist joint at the bottom. The bone skeleton of this region is formed by two straight bones - the radius and ulna. Along the entire length of the forearm, these bones are located almost parallel to each other. The radius is located on the lateral ( external side) sides of the forearm. The ulna lies on the opposite side, that is, on the medial ( inner side) side of the forearm.

The bones of the forearm are covered from above by the lateral ( extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, brachioradialis muscle), front ( pronator quadratus, flexor carpi radialis, pronator teres, etc.) and back ( supinator, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor of the index finger, etc.) muscle groups of the forearm. The muscles of the forearm are covered on top with subcutaneous fat and skin.

The tissues of the forearm are supplied with blood by two main arterial vessels - the radial and ulnar arteries. These arteries are formed in the area of ​​the elbow joint by bifurcation of the brachial artery. They repeat the course of the dice of the same name ( radial and ulnar) and follow next to them along the entire length of the forearm, heading down to the wrist joint and hand. In the area of ​​the forearm, the ulnar recurrent and common interosseous arteries depart from the ulnar artery. The radial recurrent artery branches off from the radial artery.

From the more superficial tissues of the forearm ( skin, subcutaneous tissue) venous blood is collected by the lateral and medial saphenous veins, the intermediate vein of the elbow and the intermediate vein of the forearm ( not always present). From deep tissues, venous blood is delivered through the ulnar and radial veins, which follow the course of the arterial vessels of the same name.

Lymphatic fluid is removed from the tissues of the forearm through deep lymphatic vessels that follow the radial and ulnar arteries and through superficial lymphatic vessels that follow the course of the lateral ( outer group of lymphatic vessels) and medial ( internal group of lymphatic vessels) saphenous veins of the arm.

The forearm area is innervated by the lateral and medial cutaneous nerves of the forearm, as well as the ulnar, radial and median nerves.

Wrist joint area

The wrist joint area includes the wrist joint and the tissues covering it ( ligaments, tendons and muscles). The wrist joint is the connection between the lower ends of the forearm bones and the upper row of wrist bones.

The area of ​​the wrist joint is supplied with blood from the branches of the radial and ulnar arteries, as well as branches of the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries ( arise from the common interosseous artery, which is a branch of the ulnar artery). Venous blood from the tissues of the wrist joint area is collected by the branches of the medial and lateral saphenous veins of the arm. There are also two deep veins passing through here - the ulnar and radial.

Collection of lymph from the tissues of the wrist joint area is carried out through the internal ( follows along with the medial saphenous vein) and external ( follows the course of the lateral saphenous vein) groups of superficial lymphatic vessels. Besides them ( superficial lymphatic vessels) deep lymphatic vessels passing in this area along with the radial and ulnar arteries also participate in the collection of lymph.

The area of ​​the wrist joint, as well as the hand, is innervated by branches of the ulnar, radial and median nerves.

Hand area

The hand is the area of ​​the upper limb located below the wrist joint. The bones of the hand are the carpal bones, the metacarpal bones and the bones of the phalanges of the fingers. The carpal bones are arranged in two horizontal rows. Top row ( lunate, scaphoid, triquetrum, pisiform bones) is located closer to the wrist joint and participates in its formation.

Bottom row ( hamate, trapezoid, capitate, trapezium bone) of the wrist bones connects to the bases of the five metacarpal tubular bones, which, in turn, connect to the proximal phalanges of the fingers. These phalanges connect to the middle phalanges of the fingers, which ultimately join the distal ( lower) phalanges. It should be noted that the thumb does not have a middle phalanx, and only the proximal and distal phalanges are present.

The bones of the hand interact with each other through joints. The names of these joints depend on the bones that connect to each other. For example, the joints between the phalanges of the fingers are called interphalangeal joints. Also on the hand there are carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal, intermetacarpal joints, etc.

The bones of the hand are covered on top by numerous muscles ( muscles of the palm and dorsum of the hand), connectives ( intercarpal, carpometacarpal, metacarpal ligaments, etc.), tendons and skin.

The hand area is supplied with blood by four arterial networks. Two of them lie on its dorsal surface, and the other two are on the palmar side of the hand. On each side of the hand, there is a superficial network of vessels located directly under the skin and a deeper network located near the joints and bones.

In the formation of the rear ( superficial and deep) arterial networks of the hand include the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries and the dorsal carpal branches of the ulnar and radial arteries. The superficial palmar network of the hand is formed mainly by the ulnar artery. The deep palmar network of the hand forms a connection between the radial artery ( she is the main one in this network) and the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery.

The fingers of the hand on the back side are supplied with blood by the dorsal digital arteries ( branches of the dorsal metacarpal arteries), and with the palmar – the own palmar digital arteries ( branches of the common digital palmar arteries).

The superficial veins of the hand originate in the area of ​​the fingertips. Here these veins form the palmar and dorsal venous digital networks ( via palmar and dorsal digital veins). The palmar venous network further flows into the palmar metacarpal veins, forming the palmar superficial and deep venous arches, which, in turn, give rise to the deep ulnar and radial veins.

The venous dorsal digital veins drain blood into the dorsal metacarpal veins. The first dorsal metacarpal vein drains into the lateral ( outer side) saphenous vein of the arm. The fourth dorsal metacarpal vein transports venous blood to the medial ( inner side) saphenous vein of the arm.

The lymphatic system in this area is represented by the palmar and dorsal superficial lymphatic networks, as well as the deep lymphatic plexus, located next to the arterial arch.

Causes of hand swelling

The main cause of swelling of both arms is a disorder of vascular microcirculation in the venous ( superior vena cava syndrome, Pancoast cancer, Paget-Schroetter syndrome, cardiac pathology), lymphatic ( lymph stagnation) or arterial system ( allergy, Steinbrocker syndrome) tissues of the upper extremities. Other causes of swelling in the hands may be endocrine pathologies ( myxedema, Parhon's syndrome, premenstrual syndrome), gestosis, decrease in the amount of protein in the blood in diseases of the liver, kidneys, intestines.

Swelling in the hands may appear for the following reasons:

• cardiac pathology;
• Parhon's syndrome;
• premenstrual syndrome;
• Paget-Schroetter syndrome;
• Pancoast cancer;
• superior vena cava syndrome;
• gestosis;
• lymph stagnation;
• allergy;
• Steinbrocker syndrome;
• myxedema.

Cardiac pathology

Right departments hearts are engaged in pumping blood from the venous system to the vessels of the lungs, where gas exchange occurs ( between venous blood and pulmonary alveoli). If for some reason the functioning of these departments is disrupted, the heart will not be able to suck in all the venous blood from the peripheral vessels, so it will begin to stagnate in the veins of various organs and tissues ( including hands). A disturbance in the normal functioning of the heart is called heart failure. It can be caused by a variety of cardiac pathologies that damage the myocardium ( muscular layer of the heart) or endocardium ( inner layer of the heart), or epicardium of the heart ( outer layer of the heart). For example, she may be called myocarditis , myocardial infarction , poisoning , heart defects , amyloidosis and etc.

Edema in heart failure usually develops in the legs. However, as the pathological processes in the heart itself worsen ( those. increasing decompensation of cardiac activity) swelling can spread to the upper anatomical sections - torso, arms, neck, face.

Swelling due to heart failure immediately appears on both arms. The swelling itself is usually not pronounced and uniform. The swollen areas on the hands are cold to the touch and have a dense consistency. The skin has a bluish tint. The veins in the arms are dilated. Swelling in the arms due to cardiac pathology is most often associated with symptoms indicating insufficient cardiac function. They could be heartbeats, pain in the heart area , dyspnea, fatigue, cyanosis ( turning blue) skin.

In case of heart failure, the hands swell mainly in the evening. In the morning and afternoon, swelling is most often absent. The appearance of swelling in the arms in the evening is explained by the fact that as you perform physical activity during the day, the heart gets tired and begins to work poorly in the evening, which leads to venous insufficiency ( those. insufficient pumping of venous blood in the veins).

Decreased protein levels in the blood

Protein molecules circulating in the vascular bed play an important role in the regulation of oncotic blood pressure. This pressure helps draw fluid from the tissues and retain it inside the blood vessels. The main proteins that contribute to this attraction are albumins. Albumins are synthesized in liver cells and then enter the bloodstream, where they perform their special functions. It is believed that albumins determine 75–80% of the entire oncotic pressure of the blood, since they have a very strong ability to bind water molecules.

A decrease in oncotic pressure leads to the fact that the vessels located in the tissues are unable to retain water in them, as a result of which it leaves the vascular bed and is retained in these tissues. This explains the mechanism of development of hypooncotic edema, that is, edema associated with low levels of protein in the blood. By nature, these edemas are mostly generalized and involve the arms, legs, face, and sometimes the torso. Upon visual examination, the skin over the swollen areas is pale pink. On palpation, the swelling is loose, mixed, and painless.

Low levels of oncotic pressure in the blood can occur in the following situations:

• liver diseases;
• deficiency of protein intake from food;
• diseases of the small intestine;
• kidney pathologies.

Liver diseases
Liver diseases ( inflammation, cirrhosis , cancer, liver cyst, etc.) are capable of destroying liver cells, which often leads to the loss of protein-synthesizing function in the liver and a decrease in the amount of albumin in the blood.

Deficiency of protein intake from food
A decrease in protein in the blood can also occur when there is a deficiency in protein intake from food. This can occur during fasting, kwashiorkor ( illness associated with premature weaning of a child) compliance with any diets, post. Insufficient protein intake into the body causes a decrease in the synthesis of albumin in the liver, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in their release into the blood and, thereby, a decrease in its oncotic pressure.

Diseases of the small intestine
Many diseases of the small intestine ( enteritis, amyloidosis, Crohn's disease , tuberculosis, Whipple's disease, celiac disease and etc.) cause inflammation and sclerosis ( connective tissue overgrowth) its walls. Damage to the intestinal wall in many cases leads to a decrease in the penetration of nutrients from the intestinal cavity into the blood, since it is in this section of the digestive tract that the bulk of food received from outside is absorbed. Thus, diseases of the small intestine can provoke a deficiency in protein intake from food and indirectly disrupt the formation of albumin in the liver.

Kidney pathologies
Kidneys are organs that filter and remove harmful substances from the blood and toxins. With renal filtration, normally, serum proteins ( and, in particular, albumins) are practically unable to penetrate urine due to their large size and the small diameter of the pores of the renal filter. In some cases, the permeability of these pores for proteins increases, and they freely penetrate into the urine.

The appearance of proteins in the urine is called proteinuria. Proteinuria is most often observed in various kidney pathologies, for example, with glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis, polycystic disease, pyelonephritis , kidney cancer , diabetic neuropathy and etc.

With significant damage to the pores of the renal filter and excessive proteinuria in the human body, an imbalance occurs between protein production in the liver and its loss through the kidneys. This imbalance becomes negative. That is, with it, the kidneys excrete significantly more protein than the liver synthesizes and transports into the blood during the same time. Thus, various kidney pathologies can lead to the development of proteinuria and indirectly cause a decrease in blood oncotic pressure.

Parhon's syndrome

Parhon's syndrome is a disease associated with the production and release of large amounts of the hormone vasopressin ( antidiuretic hormone) into the bloodstream. Vasopressin is a protein hormone that is synthesized in the hypothalamus and then transported to the pituitary gland of the brain, where it accumulates ( accumulation). It is from the pituitary gland that this hormone enters the blood. Vasopressin is delivered through the blood to the kidneys and then acts on the kidney cells, causing them to absorb large amounts of water and a minimal amount of sodium molecules along with it from primary urine.

The synthesis of this hormone by the pituitary gland is normally an adaptive mechanism of the body, which is aimed at equalizing the total blood volume in conditions of hypohydration of the body ( those. decrease in total body water volume), arising in various situations ( with bleeding, decreased fluid intake into the body, etc.).

In some situations, excessive production of vasopressin may occur, which leads to the retention of excess amounts of fluid, first in the vascular bed, and then in the tissues of the body, which is externally manifested by swelling of the arms, legs, face and other parts of the body. Edema syndrome in Parhon syndrome is characterized by varying severity, uniform and symmetrical localization of edema. The skin, as a rule, with such edema is loose, painless, pale pink in color, and can shift upon palpation. Edema in this syndrome may be associated with headache , depression , weakness , convulsions, dyspeptic disorders ( nausea , vomit , stomach ache and etc.).

Premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome is a complex of pathological reactions that occur in women shortly before the onset of menses. One of the manifestations of this syndrome is swelling, which can appear in various parts of the body. They are most often found in the area of ​​the fingers and toes. Swelling in the hands, in most cases, is mild, mild, painless, uneven and temporary. The skin located under the swollen areas has a normal pink color.

The mechanism of development of edema in the hands during premenstrual syndrome is associated with reduced secretion into the blood during the premenstrual period progesterone. This hormone regulates the volume of fluid in the body and promotes elimination ( through the kidneys) water. Therefore, when the level of progesterone in the blood decreases, excess fluid is retained in the body, accumulating mainly in blood vessels and tissues, thereby causing the appearance of edema syndrome.

Swelling in the hands is not the only manifestation of premenstrual syndrome. They are often associated with mental disorders ( depression, aggressiveness, irritability, apathy, etc.), disruption of the cardiovascular system ( heartbeat, increase blood pressure, pain in the heart area), gastrointestinal ( nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite , flatulence and etc.) systems. Also, with premenstrual syndrome, increased sweating, cutaneous itching, weakness, dizziness, numbness of hands, hypersensitivity ( increased sensitivity) to different smells.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome

Paget-Schroetter syndrome is a condition in which swelling of one of the arms suddenly develops due to acute thrombosis of the subclavian vein. The subclavian vein is a venous trunk that removes venous blood from the upper limb and delivers it to the superior vena cava. Due to thrombosis This vessel causes a disturbance in the outflow of venous blood, as a result of which it accumulates in the veins of the affected limb. Insufficient venous drainage leads to the accumulation of interstitial fluid in the interstitial spaces ( due to impaired removal of this fluid through the veins) tissues of the affected hand, which leads to the rapid development of edema.

Most often, Paget-Schroetter syndrome is observed in men who have developed muscles of the shoulder girdle and constantly perform heavy physical work or exercise. This is explained by the fact that part of the subclavian vein is located in the space between the collarbone and the first rib and is surrounded by a large number of bone, connective tissue and muscle formations that form a channel for it. The diameter of this channel is determined by the constitution ( physique) person and the degree of muscle development. For example, in hypersthenics ( type of physique in which the transverse dimensions of the body are larger than the longitudinal ones) and people with developed muscles of the shoulder girdle, it is narrower than in people with an asthenic physique ( body type in which the longitudinal dimensions of the body are larger than the transverse ones) and muscle atrophy ( poor muscle development).

The reason for the development of thrombosis and swelling of the arms in Paget-Schroetter syndrome is that as heavy physical activities are performed, the muscles surrounding the subclavian vein gradually compress and injure its intima ( inner shell). Traumatization of the intima is one of the triggers of the blood coagulation and thrombus formation system, therefore, thrombotic masses begin to be deposited in places where it is damaged. By uniting with each other, they form thrombus, blocking the entire lumen of the subclavian vein and, thus, blocking the normal outflow of venous blood from the veins of the upper limb.

Swelling in Paget-Schroetter syndrome most often appears on the arm that is most involved in work ( for right-handers - on the right hand, and for left-handers - on the left hand). It covers the entire upper limb ( fingers, hand, forearm), as well as sometimes the shoulder and subclavian region. The affected hand is cyanotic ( cyanotic) color, the veins on it are greatly expanded. The swelling itself is dense, painless, and permanent. It is more pronounced in the first day after the onset of the pathology. Patients also sometimes complain of dull and aching pain and fatigue in the swollen upper limb.

Pancoast cancer

Pancoast cancer is a malignant neoplasm ( tumor), appearing on the surface of the lung, under the pleura, in the area of ​​its apical segment. When large in size, this tumor is capable of squeezing and pinching the brachiocephalic or subclavian vein from the outside. In both cases, this is accompanied by a violation of their patency and a decrease in the outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the upper extremities, which inevitably leads to blocking the removal of intercellular fluid, its accumulation and the development of edema in the arms.

The swelling in this disease is one-sided, occurring only on that arm, the main vein ( subclavian, brachiocephalic) which is compressed, uniform ( that is, the entire arm swells from the fingers to the shoulder). Due to stagnation of venous blood, the skin becomes bluish ( cyanotic) shade, enlarged and dilated venous plexuses are visible in its thickness. On palpation it is painless and has a moderate consistency. Obturation ( blockage) of the brachiocephalic vein in Pancoast cancer leads not only to swelling of the upper limb, but also to swelling of the face and neck.

A Pancoast tumor can compress nerves, arteries, and nerve ganglia located near the above-mentioned venous vessels ( subclavian, brachiocephalic veins). Compression of the stellate ganglion leads to Horner's syndrome ( drooping of the upper eyelid, retraction of the eyeball, constriction of the pupil, decreased sweating) on the affected side. Compression of the nerve formations of the brachial plexus ( Pancoast syndrome) with Pancoast cancer is accompanied by constant pain and numbness in various areas ( shoulder, elbow, forearm, hand) of the affected arm, as well as atrophy of its muscles. In addition to edema, Horner's syndrome and Pancoast, fever may be observed with this disease ( promotion temperature body), feeling of weakness, weight loss, headaches.

Superior vena cava syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome is a pathological condition that develops when the patency of the superior vena cava is impaired and is characterized by the appearance of edema on both arms, upper torso, neck, and face. This syndrome is not a separate disease, but only a complication of various diseases ( lung cancer , thoracic aortic aneurysm, fibrous mediastinitis, thymic tumor, lung cyst, etc.) of the chest, in which external compression of this vein occurs. In rare cases, occlusion ( blockage) of the superior vena cava can occur with its thrombosis, which develops against the background of periodic damage to its internal membrane ( for example, during her catheterization).

Swelling of the arms, neck, trunk and face is often associated with cyanosis ( blue in the face) skin, severe dilatation of the saphenous veins, shortness of breath, cough, headaches, weakness, drowsiness. Hoarseness of voice, attacks of suffocation, chest pain , nosebleeds, oral cavity, internal organs ( esophagus, lungs).

The clinical picture of this syndrome is explained by the fact that a violation of the patency of the superior vena cava causes a blockage of the normal outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the upper extremities, shoulder girdle, neck, head and causes its stagnation, as well as the accumulation of interstitial fluid, which cannot be removed without adequate venous tissue drainage.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia ( or late toxicosis pregnant women) is a pathological condition in which pregnant women experience increased blood pressure and swelling in various areas of the body ( mostly legs), and the kidneys remove large amounts of protein from the blood in the urine. In severe clinical cases with gestosis, swelling can be observed in the arms, face, and torso.

With this pathology, usually the fingers and hands swell, rarely affecting the upper areas of the upper limb - forearm, elbow, shoulder. Edema syndrome most often appears on both hands at the same time; its severity, prevalence, and symmetry are constantly individual. The skin over the swollen areas of the hands is painless and has a normal color. The swelling in the hands itself is loose, shiftable, and unstable. In addition to edema, arterial hypertension ( increased blood pressure) and proteinuria ( increased protein excretion in urine) with gestosis, weight gain, convulsions, severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and pain in the heart area may occur.

Swelling in the arms during gestosis is hypooncotic edema ( those. swelling associated with decreased protein in the blood), because this pathology is accompanied by pronounced protein losses through the kidneys and insufficient protein synthesis in the liver tissue. In the development of edematous syndrome during gestosis, the increased release of various hormones into the blood also plays a great role ( aldosterone, adrenaline, renin, etc.), which contribute to increased blood pressure, increased permeability of vascular walls, and fluid retention in the body.

Stagnation of lymph

The lymphatic system normally participates in removing part of the interstitial fluid from the tissues and organs of the body. There are cases when the patency of the lymphatic vessels is disrupted, the pressure in them increases and the intercellular fluid can no longer enter the lymphatic system ( since the hydrostatic pressure in the lymphatic vessels becomes greater than the pressure in the intercellular medium that surrounds these vessels). There is a retention of intercellular fluid and its accumulation in the tissues of the hands, which is externally manifested by the development of edema.

Swelling of the hands due to allergies is often asymmetrical and uneven in nature, accompanied by itching, redness of the skin, and the appearance of red rash. Hands swell, mainly in the area of ​​the hands, fingers, forearms, and less often in the shoulder area. The appearance of edema syndrome always has a clear relationship with the body’s contact with any allergen, and, in most cases, it does not matter in what way the person interacted with it.

Allergic swelling of the hands can occur when consuming an allergen with food ( medicines, food ingredients, various drinks, etc.), when inhaling air containing allergen particles ( dust, chemicals, pollen, etc.). Allergies can also develop through direct contact of the allergen with the patient's hands. In such cases, the so-called contact dermatitis (local allergic inflammation of the skin), which is a type of allergic reaction.

The mechanism for the appearance of edema in the hands due to allergies is associated with the expansion of a large number of vessels feeding the skin and an increase in the permeability of their vascular wall, which leads to increased extravasation ( exit) intravascular fluid in the tissue of the upper extremities.

Steinbrocker syndrome

Steinbrocker syndrome is a complex of symptoms that appear when autonomic ( nervous) regulation of vascular tone in one of the upper limbs. This syndrome is most often a complication of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, in which compression of the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord and innervating the vessels of the arm develops. It can also develop with injuries to the upper part of the spinal column, myocardial infarction.

The main symptoms of Steinbrocker syndrome are pronounced pain ( in the shoulder, forearm, hand, fingers), which do not decrease when taken painkillers, swelling of the hand ( less commonly the wrist joint and forearm), muscle contractures ( shoulder, forearm, hand), impaired sensitivity of the skin of various areas of the hand and the appearance of weakness in it. Swelling on the hand with this pathology is unexpressed, dense and uniform. The development of edema in the arm with Steinbrocker syndrome is explained by the lack of adequate vascular regulation and increased permeability of the vessels supplying blood to the tissues of the upper limb.

The skin of the affected hand is pale and shiny, sometimes acrocyanosis may be observed ( turning blue) hand and fingers. If the patient does not seek medical help for a long time, then muscular atrophy of various muscles, osteoporosis of the bones, and partial ankylosis may gradually develop on the affected arm ( immobility) shoulder joint.

Myxedema

Myxedema - severe form hypothyroidism, in which swelling develops in the arms, legs, face and, less commonly, in other parts of the body. Hypothyroidism is a pathological condition associated with a lack of hormones in the body. thyroid gland (thyroxine and triiodothyronine). Hypothyroidism can occur with thyroid tumors, autoimmune thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland), irradiation of the thyroid gland, deficiency iodine etc. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in the body. If they are deficient, the level of protein in the patient’s blood quickly decreases, and in the tissues, on the contrary, it increases ( mainly due to the accumulation of proteins of the intercellular matrix of connective tissue - glycosaminoglycans). The increased protein content in tissues creates favorable conditions for fluid retention and the development of edema.

With this disease, the hands usually swell, less often the more proximal ones ( upper) parts of the upper limbs. Swelling of the hands with myxedema, in most cases, is symmetrical, uniform, and dense. The skin over the swollen areas does not hurt when pressed, it is pale, smooth, dry, cold, hair falls out on it, and cracks appear. Fingernails are atrophic ( thin and brittle), broken, their shape changed.

In addition to edema, myxedema causes the same symptoms as hypothyroidism. With it you can encounter mental disorders ( apathy, depression, drowsiness, etc.), sexual ( infertility, decreased libido), gastrointestinal ( nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, constipation, abdominal pain, etc.) functions.

Quite often, such patients experience various cardiac disorders in the form of bradycardia (decreased heart rate), lowering blood pressure, arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorder), pain in the heart area. Also with myxedema it can occur amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), general weakness, headaches, weight gain.

Causes of hand swelling that appears in the morning

The main factor in the appearance of swelling in the hands in the morning is the patient's prolonged stay in a supine position during the night, during which inadequate drainage occurs ( deliverance) tissues from interstitial fluid, which, in turn, is provided through venous and lymphatic vessels. An additional factor to this factor may be the patient’s increased consumption at night of table salt, which contains a huge amount of sodium ions. These ions, entering the tissues through the blood, attract and bind water molecules and, thus, contribute to its retention in the tissues and the development of swelling in the hands in the morning.

The amount of liquid that the patient drinks before going to bed is also of great importance. Excessive consumption of water at night is another aggravating factor in the development of swelling in the hands, since the kidneys cannot remove excess fluid from the body during sleep.

The next unfavorable factor in the development of swelling of the hands in the morning is the presence of any pathologies in the patient that cause disruption of the outflow of intercellular fluid from the tissues of the upper extremities. For example, they may be diseases that increase venous pressure in the veins of the arms ( heart failure, superior vena cava syndrome, Pancoast cancer, subclavian vein thrombosis, etc.).

Swelling of the hands that develops in the morning can sometimes be caused by excessive dilation of arterial vessels and an increase in their permeability, which often occurs during allergic reactions. Allergies are often observed in patients who use various cosmetics and lubricate their hands with them at night.

Causes of swelling of fingers

The causes of swelling in the fingers are quite varied. A significant portion of such edema is often associated with rheumatic diseases ( rheumatoid arthritis , osteoarthritis , systemic lupus erythematosus , psoriasis , dermatomyositis , scleroderma and etc.) fingers, which cause inflammation of their articular and periarticular tissues. Fingers may swell due to allergic reactions and, especially, contact dermatitis ( that is, local inflammation of the skin that develops through direct contact of hands with an allergen).

Mechanical injuries burns fingers are another reason for the development of edema in the hands, since they cause inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous layers ( subcutaneous fat, muscles, ligaments, etc.). In some cases, it may penetrate the skin of the fingers infection, which can cause her erysipelas ( bacterial skin inflammation), in which the affected areas of the skin often swell.

Fingers may swell with myxedema ( extreme degree of hypothyroidism - decreased thyroid function). Edema syndrome occurs due to the fact that a large amount of protein accumulates in the intercellular spaces, attracting water from the vessels. Premenstrual syndrome may be another reason for the development of swelling in the fingers, because it causes a hormonal imbalance in the blood of patients between levels estrogen and progesterone, which promotes water retention in the body.

Causes of hand swelling during pregnancy

In pregnant women during certain periods of pregnancy pregnancy Swelling in the arms may occur. This event is not always associated with any pathology. In most cases, the hands swell due to the fact that during pregnancy, various physiological changes take place in the woman’s body, which contribute to the increase and retention of large amounts of fluid in the body. Thus, during pregnancy, the female body experiences a decrease in blood osmolality ( blood's ability to retain fluid), the total volume of circulating blood increases ( BCC), heart rate increases, the amount of albumin in the blood decreases, etc. This is necessary for normal interaction between the body of the mother and the fetus.

Physiological changes occurring in the mother’s body are always individual. There are cases when such changes exceed the boundaries of physiological norms, resulting in edema. Swelling in the hands during pregnancy can often be a consequence of eating large amounts of table salt ( promotes water retention in the body) and liquids.

Of course, edema syndrome in pregnant women can also appear as a result of the presence of some kind of internal organ disease. First of all, it is worth mentioning about gestosis ( a syndrome characterized by the appearance of seizures, increased blood pressure and loss of protein in the urine), which is one of the main pathological causes of swelling in the hands.

In addition to gestosis, swelling in the hands during pregnancy can be caused by kidney disease ( glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, polycystic disease, etc.), liver ( hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumor), small intestine ( enteritis, Crohn's disease, intestinal lymphangiectasia, etc.), in which there is a decrease in the level of protein molecules in the blood, which is accompanied by a drop in its oncotic pressure and the development of edema.

Swelling in the hands during pregnancy can often be observed with heart disease ( myocarditis, amyloidosis, restrictive pericarditis and etc.), allergies, hypothyroidism ( decreased production of thyroid hormones), Parhon's syndrome ( pathology associated with increased production of vasopressin).

Treatment methods for hand swelling

The main method of treating swelling that appears on the hands is the use of various medications. Quite often, drug treatment is combined with other conservative treatment methods - tight bandaging and physiotherapy. The high prevalence of the use of these three methods is determined, first of all, by their non-invasiveness, that is, the absence of mechanical damage to tissues during their use.

Unlike drug therapy ( or from physiotherapy, tight bandaging) surgical treatment involves some invasive procedures ( therapeutic measures associated with violation of the integrity of the surface integument), facilitating the correction of anatomical disorders and the removal of certain pathological processes ( e.g. tumors, cysts) from tissues and organs.

The following methods of treating hand swelling are available:

• drug treatment;
• physiotherapy;
• surgery;
• tight bandaging.

Drug treatment

When treating swelling of the hands, in most cases, drug treatment is prescribed. The choice of a group of certain medications depends on the cause of this disease.

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to reduce the severity of pain and swelling that occurs due to inflammation after damage to various tissues in the body. They are used for diseases of the intestines, kidneys, liver, inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, premenstrual syndrome, erysipelas, traumatic injuries to the hands, allergies, Steinbrocker syndrome.

Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs that doctors prescribe to make the blood less likely to clot and form blood clots. They are widely used to treat swelling of the hands, which occurs with cardiac pathology, blockage of the subclavian vein, and superior vena cava syndrome.

Fibrinolytics
Fibrinolytics are medications designed to destroy blood clots in blood vessels. Indications for their use are superior vena cava syndrome and Paget-Schroetter syndrome.

Diuretics
Diuretics help remove fluid from the body through the kidneys, so they are often used for gestosis, Parhon's syndrome, cardiac pathology, hypooncotic edema ( intestinal diseases, liver, kidneys), superior vena cava syndrome.

Antihypertensive drugs
Antihypertensive drugs are prescribed for gestosis, kidney and heart diseases to reduce blood pressure.

Vasopressin receptor blockers
Vasopressin receptor blockers prevent this hormone from binding to its receptors located on kidney cells. Through these receptors, vasopressin acts on the kidneys and causes them to accumulate water in the body. Therefore, these drugs ( Vasopressin receptor blockers) are quite often used in the treatment of swelling of the hands caused by Parhon's syndrome.

Hormones
Hormonal treatment is indicated for all those patients whose hand swelling is caused by myxedema or kidney damage due to diabetes mellitus.

Cardiac glycosides
Cardiac glycosides are used for heart failure of any origin ( origin). Their action is aimed at normalizing the contractile function of the heart.

Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a group of drugs aimed at blocking the interaction between histamine ( allergic active substance) and its receptors in various tissues of the body, which leads to a decrease in the body’s allergic response to allergens. These drugs are mainly used to treat allergies.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a method of additional treatment for patients with swelling in the hands. They are used in combination with medical or surgical treatment. The use of physiotherapeutic treatment in medical practice helps to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected limb. The therapeutic effect of physiotherapy is also aimed at dilating blood vessels, accelerating and improving the outflow of lymphatic fluid.

When treating swelling of the hands, the following basic physical procedures can be used:

• electrophoresis medicines;
• low frequency magnetotherapy ;
• UHF therapy (ultra high frequency therapy);
• SUV irradiation ( );
• low-intensity SMV therapy ( centimeter wave therapy).

Electrophoresis of drugs
Electrophoresis of drugs is a physiotherapy procedure in which drugs are introduced into the affected tissue under the influence of an electric field. This method has some advantages over other methods of administering medications ( injections, pills). Firstly, drugs administered using electrophoresis have a better therapeutic effect. Secondly, their therapeutic effect is prolonged ( since some medications remain in the skin for some time). Thirdly, drug electrophoresis is a local procedure that is aimed at treating a local lesion. Fourthly, this physiotherapy procedure is absolutely painless and non-invasive ( that is, it does not violate the integrity of the surface covers) unlike, for example, injections.

The effect of electrophoresis on the body is determined by the drug administered with its help. The choice of the drug itself depends on the cause of the swelling of the hands. In general, for swelling in the hands, the use of proteolytics is indicated ( disruption of lymph flow), anti-inflammatory drugs ( filariasis, lymphostasis, erysipelas, trauma, hand surgery), antibiotics (erysipelas of the hands).

Low frequency magnetic therapy
In this method, low-frequency magnetic waves, which are an integral part of the electromagnetic field, are used for treatment. This method is used to achieve decongestant, analgesic, trophic ( improves tissue metabolism), vasoactive ( stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage) therapeutic effects. Low-frequency magnetic therapy is prescribed to patients who have problems with lymphatic drainage in their hands, as well as to those who have undergone surgery on their hands. It can also be used in the treatment of traumatic injuries of the upper extremities.

UHF therapy
For UHF therapy ( ultra high frequency therapy) waves of the electrical component of the ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic field are used. With this method of treatment, anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, trophic ( improved tissue nutrition), muscle relaxant ( relaxing muscles) effects. Ultrahigh-frequency therapy is indicated for patients with injuries, erysipelas of the hands and pathologies associated with impaired innervation of the vessels of the upper extremities ( Steinbrocker syndrome). It is also recommended for those who have recently undergone surgery on their hands.

SUV irradiation
SUV irradiation ( mid-wave ultraviolet irradiation) is based on the use of ultraviolet waves of medium length. This irradiation has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal ( destroying germs), immunoregulatory effect. It is prescribed mainly for the treatment of edema that develops due to erysipelas and hand injuries. It is sometimes used after surgery on the upper extremities.

Low-intensity SMV therapy
With low-intensity SMV therapy ( centimeter wave therapy) to treat swelling of the hands, electromagnetic waves with a centimeter frequency range are used. This type of therapy is mainly prescribed to stimulate normal thyroid function and reduce swelling, which is a clinical manifestation of myxedema. SMV therapy also has anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory and analgesic effects ( anesthetic) effect, so it is often used to treat cervical osteochondrosis, which is the cause of Steinbrocker syndrome.

Surgery

Surgery is not the main method of getting rid of swelling in the hands. They are used in severe and advanced cases, when conservative ( medication, physiotherapy) there is no point in using treatment. Surgical treatment of hand edema is mainly used to eliminate tumors and cysts of various locations, for example, liver, kidneys, lungs, spine, mediastinal organs. These volumetric formations are capable of compressing the vessels supplying the upper limbs ( tumor of the lungs, mediastinal organs), affect their nerve endings ( tumor of the spine, lungs), and also cause hypooncotic edema ( in case of kidney and liver cancer).

Surgical treatment may be necessary in the following clinical situations:

• cardiac pathology;
• decrease in the amount of protein in the blood;
• Paget-Schroetter syndrome;
• Pancoast cancer;
• superior vena cava syndrome.

Cardiac pathology
In case of cardiac pathology ( heart defects, myocardial infarction, endocarditis and etc.), causing heart failure and blood stagnation in the veins of the upper extremities, some surgical methods are sometimes used ( installation of pacemakers, cardiac replacement, heart transplantation), which restore normal heart function.

Decreased protein levels in the blood
For some diseases of the liver, kidneys, and intestines, characterized by a decrease in protein in the blood, surgical intervention is often required to remove the pathological process from these organs ( tumors, cysts, abscess, developmental defects, etc.) and correction of their physiological activity.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome
In the treatment of Paget-Schroetter syndrome, regional thrombolytic therapy is often resorted to, that is, injection into the subclavian vein through a tube ( catheter) thrombolytic drugs that can destroy a blood clot formed in the lumen of a vein.

Pancoast cancer
Surgical treatment for Pancoast cancer is the main one. It consists of removing the tumor itself, areas of the lung adjacent to it, as well as extracting other tissues involved in the oncological process ( pleura, vessels, lymph nodes, etc.).

Superior vena cava syndrome
The main purpose of surgical treatment for superior vena cava syndrome is to eliminate the cause of blockage of the outflow of venous blood through this vein. For this purpose, direct removal of a blood clot from a vein is often used - thrombectomy or bypass shunting of this venous trunk, that is, the creation of an additional path along which venous blood will bypass the blocked section of the vein. If the cause of this syndrome is external compression by pathological formations ( cyst, lung tumor, etc.), then they usually resort to eliminating them.

Tight bandaging

Tight bandaging is a type of compression treatment for hand swelling. The general meaning of bandaging swollen hands ( using an elastic bandage) is that after this manipulation the surface integuments ( along with vessels) upper limbs become compressed from the outside. Since most of the intercellular fluid accumulates in these places ( surface covers), then after tight bandaging it simply will not be able to overcome such strong resistance that the elastic material creates on the outside. Therefore, the intercellular fluid enters the vascular bed of the lymphatic and venous systems and is removed from the edematous areas.

Tight bandaging of hands is most often used for pathologies associated with impaired lymphatic drainage. They may be anomalies in the development of the lymphatic system, damage to the lymphatic vessels after surgery, or hand injuries. Blockage of lymphatic drainage can also occur after a mastectomy ( breast removal).

In some cases, tight bandaging can be used for venous insufficiency ( cardiac edema, blockage of the subclavian, axillary vein, etc.) or edema caused by a decrease in protein in the blood ( for pathologies of the kidneys, liver, intestines, etc.). In addition to bandaging for swollen hands, you can also use another type of compression treatment called compression garments ( elastic sleeves, gloves).

Why does my right hand swell?

Limited swelling of the entire right arm usually occurs with pathologies of the venous ( compression of the subclavian vein by a tumor, Paget-Schroetter syndrome, etc.) or lymphatic ( lymph stagnation after breast removal, surgery on the arm, etc.) systems. When they occur, there is a disturbance in the outflow of venous blood or lymph ( and with them interstitial fluid) from the tissues of the upper limb towards the chest.

Swelling of the right hand in these pathologies is usually severe and permanent ( those. does not subside in the morning or evening), accompanied by blue discoloration ( when veins are blocked) or whitening ( for lymphatic insufficiency) skin. Swelling due to pathology of the venous system is often associated with pain, weakness and increased venous pattern in the area of ​​the affected arm ( that is, an increase and expansion of the saphenous veins).

Local swelling of the right arm ( for example, hands, forearms, elbows, etc.) can most often be observed with her injuries ( fractures, dislocations, burns, bruises), erysipelas ( infectious skin disease), osteomyelitis (bone inflammation), myositis (muscle inflammation). Swelling of the hand in these pathologies is caused by a strong dilation of small vessels ( arising from inflammation) in damaged areas of the right upper limb. Also, local edema can be caused by a voluminous pathological formation, for example, a tumor or cyst of the arm tissue.

Why do pain and swelling appear in the hands?

Pain and swelling in the arms are signs of inflammation of the anatomical structures that make up both upper limbs. The inflammatory process is a reaction of the body that develops in response to damage to any of its structures. The skin, subcutaneous fat, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, etc. can become inflamed in the hands.

The combination of these two symptoms ( pain and swelling) can most often occur in diseases ( heart failure, Paget-Schroetter syndrome, superior vena cava syndrome), in which the normal transport of venous blood from the arms to the heart is blocked. When they occur, along with venous blood in the tissues of the arm, toxic products of cellular metabolism accumulate, which damage the nerve endings and tissues of the upper extremities, resulting in the development of inflammation, pain and swelling syndromes.

Pain and swelling in the arms can be a result of pinching of the arterial vessels of the arms, which can often be seen with Pancoast cancer ( apical lung cancer), injuries of the upper extremities, anomalies in the development of arteries. Disruption of the arterial blood supply to the hands usually leads to hypoxia ( oxygen starvation) of their tissues, they begin to die quickly. The processes of death are often accompanied by the development of inflammation.

Disruption of the nervous tone of the vessels that nourish the tissues of the upper extremities may be another factor leading to swelling and pain in the arms. The most famous pathology in which such a disorder occurs is Steinbrocker syndrome. With it, the nerves coming from the spinal cord and innervating the vessels of the upper extremities are compressed in the area of ​​the spinal column. As a result, the vessels do not receive enough ( or, conversely, receive in excess) nerve impulses. This leads to a loss of their tone, instant expansion ( or narrowing), increasing their permeability, which, in general, has an adverse effect on the processes of tissue nutrition and clearance ( cleansing) from interstitial fluid, which provokes swelling and pain in the hands.

Why does swelling of the face and hands develop?

Facial swelling and hands can appear for various reasons. First of all, swelling of these two anatomical areas can be caused by dysfunction of the heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines. Sometimes swelling of the hands and face develops with allergies, thyroid diseases, and pathological secretion of vasopressin. Often, the simultaneous occurrence of edema on the face and upper extremities is associated with hormonal imbalances that develop during pregnancy or in the premenstrual period.

The following are the main reasons for swelling of the face and hands:

• allergy;
• insufficiency of heart function;
• superior vena cava syndrome;
• hypersecretion of vasopressin;
• premenstrual syndrome;
• late toxicosis of pregnancy;
• hypothyroidism;
• liver failure;
• intestinal diseases;
• insufficiency of kidney function.

Allergy
The development of swelling on the face and hands due to allergies is associated with a strong expansion of the superficial vessels of their tissues.

Heart failure
Insufficient cardiac function can often lead to disruption of the outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the hands and face, which can cause swelling.

Superior vena cava syndrome
With superior vena cava syndrome, there is a blockage of the outflow of venous blood through the vena cava to the heart, as a result of which it ( deoxygenated blood) stagnates in the veins of the arms that flow into it. The accumulation of venous blood in the tissues of the face and arms, on the one hand, contributes to the expansion of venous vessels, and on the other hand, to disruption of the removal of interstitial fluid from the tissues of the upper half of the chest and the development of edema in them.

Hypersecretion of vasopressin
Vasopressin is a hormone that affects fluid balance in the body. It promotes the absorption of water in the kidney tissue from primary urine and its excretion ( water) into the blood. Increased secretion of this hormone can cause an increase in the total volume of fluid in the body and the occurrence of swelling in the face and hands.

Premenstrual syndrome
The cause of swelling on the face and hands during premenstrual syndrome is an increased level of progesterone in the blood. Progesterone is a hormone synthesized in adrenal glands And ovaries. This hormone can increase water retention in the body and contribute to edema.

Late toxicosis of pregnant women
With late toxicosis of pregnant women ( gestosis) the cause of swelling of the face and hands can be increased secretion of certain hormones ( aldosterone, renin, natriuretic hormone, adrenaline, etc.), which are responsible for the water-electrolyte balance in the body and the regulation of vascular tone.

Hypothyroidism
The development of edema in the hands and face during hypothyroidism is associated with a decrease in general metabolism in the body and the accumulation of large quantities of hydrophilic substances in the interstitial spaces ( water lovers) proteins ( glycosaminoglycans), which attract water from the vessels and contribute to its retention in the surrounding tissues.

Liver failure
The liver is a “factory” for the production of blood plasma proteins, which, to a greater extent, determine osmoticity ( those. fluid retention capacity) blood circulating in the vessels. Insufficiency of liver function can often cause a decrease in blood osmoticity, as a result of which the liquid part will penetrate into the tissues, which will be the main cause of the development of edema on the face and hands.

Bowel diseases
In intestinal diseases, there is insufficient absorption of proteins from the intestinal cavity into the blood. Insufficient protein in the blood can reduce its oncotic pressure ( the ability of blood plasma to retain water, mediated by the amount of protein). Due to the fact that in the tissues of the body this pressure becomes higher than in the vessels ( since in them it falls in the absence of protein), interstitial fluid cannot normally enter the vessels and be removed from the tissues. Therefore, with intestinal diseases, swelling of the hands and face develops.

Kidney failure
If kidney function is insufficient, swelling of the face and hands can often occur. This is due to the fact that with it the kidneys remove albumin from the blood in large quantities through urine ( blood proteins), which play a decisive role in maintaining blood oncotic pressure and protecting tissues from edema.

In what cases do both hands swell significantly?

Severe swelling of both arms most often occurs with vascular pathologies, in which the normal circulation of venous blood and lymphatic fluid is disrupted. Severe allergic reactions can also cause the development of such edema. Kidney disease is rarely the cause of severe swelling of the hands, but in some cases it can be a major factor in its development.

Hands can become very swollen in the following pathological situations:

• increased venous pressure;
• increased lymphatic pressure;
• allergic reactions;
• kidney diseases.

Increased venous pressure
The venous system is designed to remove excess fluid and waste products from peripheral areas ( arms, legs, neck, head, etc.) to organs ( heart, kidneys, liver, etc.). In some cases ( with vein thrombosis, when they are compressed from the outside by a cyst or lung tumor) venous pressure may increase in this system. An increase in this pressure often leads to blocking the transport of interstitial fluid from the tissues to the veins, resulting in its stagnation and accumulation in the tissues, which causes severe swelling in the hands.

Allergic reactions
The development of severe swelling of the hands during allergic reactions is caused by the release of a significant amount of allergic mediators into the blood ( factors), which cause dilation of blood vessels in the skin of the upper extremities and increase the permeability of their walls.

Kidney diseases
Damage to the renal parenchyma ( fabrics), found in various kidney diseases ( glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, pyelonephritis, amyloidosis, polycystic disease, etc.), may be accompanied by impaired blood filtration, resulting in increased amounts of plasma proteins being excreted in the urine. These proteins constantly regulate blood oncotic pressure and maintain normal fluid transport between tissues and vessels. Proteinuria ( increased protein removal in urine) is the main reason that contributes to the appearance of severe swelling in the hands due to kidney disease.