Diagnosis

If one notices that the hands are swollen and therefore goes to the doctor, the doctor will look at the hands, touch them and compare the sides. Important information is derived from certain questions that the doctor should ask: How long have the hands been swollen?When does the swelling appear? Are there triggers or things that relieve the swelling?

It is also important to know if the swelling causes pain. The doctor can then make appropriate recommendations or, if necessary, make a further diagnosis, for example if he suspects inflammation as the cause. A possible step in such a case would be an examination of the blood. If necessary, an X-ray can also provide information about the cause of the swollen hands.

Treatment

The treatment of swollen hands depends on their cause. If they are caused by water retention in the tissue, massages, alternating baths with cold water and various household remedies can help. Even if it may sound paradoxical, you should drink a lot if your hands have water retention (note: not if heart or kidney disease is the cause!)

Even careful stretching exercises and repeated pressing of the hands can help by stimulating the blood flow. Likewise, care should be taken not to eat a diet that is too rich in salt, as too much salt intake promotes the development of water retention. If the swollen hands are suffering from a serious illness such as arthritis, it may be advisable to use various medicines and, if necessary, even to seek in-patient treatment in a specialized rheumatology ward.

In addition to medication, the hands are treated with various supportive measures such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy (active and passive movement exercises of the hands) or lymph drainage. If the doctor determines that swollen hands are caused by heart or kidney weakness, the daily amount of drinking may have to be reduced in order to avoid overloading the organs. The treatment of swollen hands depends on their cause.

If they are caused by water retention in the tissue, massages, alternating baths with cold water and various household remedies can help. Even if it may sound paradoxical, you should drink a lot if your hands have water retention (note: not if heart or kidney disease is the cause!) Even careful stretching exercises and repeated pressing of the hands can help by stimulating the blood flow.

Likewise, care should be taken not to eat a diet that is too rich in salt, as too much salt intake promotes the development of water retention. If the swollen hands are suffering from a serious illness such as arthritis, it may be advisable to use various medicines and, if necessary, even to seek in-patient treatment in a specialized rheumatology ward. In addition to medication, the hands are treated with various supportive measures such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy (active and passive movement exercises of the hands) or lymph drainage.

If the doctor determines that swollen hands are caused by heart or kidney weakness, the daily amount of drinking may have to be reduced in order to avoid overloading the organs. An alternative medical measure for swollen hands is the use of Schüssler salts. These are mineral salt preparations.

A scientific benefit has not been proven. According to Stiftung Warentest, Schüssler salts are not suitable for the treatment of diseases. However, taking the preparations is harmless to health, as long as no extreme amounts are taken. If there is a suspicion that the swollen hands are the cause of a serious illness, however, the exclusive use of natural remedies such as Schuessler salts is not recommended. If there is no improvement or if the symptoms even worsen, a doctor should be consulted.