How to Reduce Finger Swelling

Fingers can become swollen due to injury or edema, a common condition that causes fluid to accumulate in several areas of the body, including the hands, feet, ankles, and legs. Edema can be caused by pregnancy, eating too much salt, taking medications, or having certain medical conditions, such as kidney problems, complications related to the lymphatic system, or congestive heart failure. Here are suggestions for reducing swelling in your fingers.

Table of Contents

Diagnosing swelling

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Consider your diet and sodium intake. Eating too much salty food can cause swollen fingers. Some of the foods with the highest sodium content are processed foods, including: ^{[1] X Research Source}

Canned soup
Ham
Frozen Pizza
Soy
Fresh cheese
Olive

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Identify lesions that may cause swelling. Injury is one of the most common culprits for swollen fingers. Fluids such as blood will collect in the affected area and cause swelling. You should treat the wound first with a cold compress (helps constrict blood vessels), then apply heat ^{[2] X Research Source} (helps push excess fluid out of the area).

If the bruising or damage lasts for more than 2 weeks, your symptoms get worse or occur frequently, or you have signs of a skin infection, you should tell your doctor soon.

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Determine if you have allergies. When dealing with an allergen, the body releases histamine into the bloodstream. ^{[3] X Research Source} To reduce swelling, you can take an antihistamine. If you have difficulty breathing after an allergic reaction, you should call your doctor immediately.

Find out about treatment options

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Exercise for swollen fingers. Move your fingers to help pump excess fluid back into your heart. This movement causes blood to flow to the affected area and creates the necessary pressure to push the excess fluid away. Finger exercises can be as simple as typing on a keyboard, flexing your fingers, or using your hands to get dressed or prepare breakfast. Any movement of the finger will help reduce swelling.

If you don’t have time to do your usual exercises, consider walking briskly for 15 minutes once a day. A 10-15 minute walk is a great way to increase blood circulation throughout the body. Remember to swing your arms or move them up and down while walking.
People who are obese are more prone to edema due to the slower functioning of the lymphatic system. Swelling can be reduced if the lymphatic system is reactivated. You should exercise more often, eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables and protein, and drink more water to help your body promote the lymphatic system to its maximum capacity.

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Raise your hand and fingers. Swollen fingers can be due to poor circulation or a blood clot in the hand. Elevating the hand will help the hematoma to flow back into the body.

Raise the swollen hand above heart level for about 30 minutes, at least 3-4 times per day to treat severe edema. Your doctor may also recommend that you keep your hand above your heart when you sleep.
Elevate the hand and fingers briefly to reduce mild swelling.
Try raising your hands above your head, interlacing them, and bringing them behind your head. Tilt your head back and create some resistance. After 30 seconds, remove your hand, stretch your hand, and repeat several times.

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Rub swollen fingers. Massage the tissue in the swollen fingers towards the heart. Use firm and firm massaging movements. Hand massage will stimulate the muscles and blood flow to the fingers, helping to remove excess fluid that causes swelling in the fingers.

Consider finding an hand and foot masseuse. This service is usually very affordable.
Self-massage hands. Use the thumb and index finger of one hand to gently but firmly grip the other. Slide the index finger and thumb from the bottom of the palm to the tip of one finger. Repeat this for each finger, then switch hands.

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Wear pressure gloves. This type of glove puts pressure on the hands and fingers, preventing excess fluid from accumulating.

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Limit salt in the diet. Salt causes the body to retain water and other fluids and can affect the fingers. By limiting your salt intake, you can reduce the risk of excess fluid building up. If you find low-salt foods too bland, you should use other spices to enhance the flavor of the dish.

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Keep the temperature moderate in your home or office. Moderate temperature will stimulate blood circulation better. You should maintain a stable temperature environment to reduce finger swelling caused by sudden temperature changes.

Studies show that taking hot showers, hot tub soaks, and hot compresses make swollen parts worse, including the fingers. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Swelling can also be aggravated by exposure to extreme cold. If your swollen hand is caused by a bruise, you can use moderate cold (such as an ice pack wrapped in a cloth) to reduce swelling.

Advice

Apply cold to the swollen area. If the condition doesn’t improve, you may have sprained or broken a bone.
Do not apply heat until the swelling is completely gone. Applying heat too soon can cause the fingers to swell even more and make them worse.
One method of reducing swelling that can be effective is as follows: Pull the second, third, index and lastly pinky fingers. Finish with a thumb pull. This can help relieve finger pain, including pain from carpal tunnel syndrome. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Warning

Pregnant women should always consult their doctor before taking any medicine to reduce swelling of the hands or fingers. Diuretics are not recommended for pregnant women.
If swelling persists without improvement or gets worse, contact your doctor immediately. Severe or persistent swelling may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as cancer, heart failure, or other problems that require urgent care.

Things you need

Pressure Gloves
Diuretic

Steps

Diagnosing swelling

Find out about treatment options

Advice

Warning

Things you need

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