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What Causes Swelling In The Hands?
Question: Ever since i was little ,my hands have swollen up when it gets cold . Now when i play volley ball they get red and purple and puffy . we just had a deep freeze where i live and my hands puffed up really bad and are always cold . What makes this happen
Brief Answer:
What you are suffering from is probably Raynauds disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome to HCM,
What you are suffering from is probably Raynauds disease.
In this condition blood vessels become very narrow on exposure to cold.
It can be Primary (no cause) or Secondary (due to a cause).
Causes can be drugs like---
beta blockers, migraine medications that contain ergotamine or sumatriptan; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications; certain chemotherapy agents; and drugs that cause blood vessels to narrow, such as some over-the-counter cold medications.
It can be due to diseases like scleroderma and lupus.
Occupations that cause repetitive trauma, such as operating tools that vibrate, Smoking, caffeine, vinyl chloride can also lead to it.
The danger is--if an artery to an affected area becomes blocked completely, sores (skin ulcers) or dead tissue (gangrene) may develop. Ulcers and gangrene can be difficult to treat. In extreme untreated cases, your doctor may need to remove the affected part of your body (amputation).
Drugs that help--
Drugs that dilate vessels--Calcium channel blockers, Alpha blockers, other vasodilators.
Nitroglycerin cream applied to the base of your fingers to help heal skin ulcers.
Please consult your doctor. He will do some tests and advise you properly.
Regards, and all the best.
What you are suffering from is probably Raynauds disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX welcome to HCM,
What you are suffering from is probably Raynauds disease.
In this condition blood vessels become very narrow on exposure to cold.
It can be Primary (no cause) or Secondary (due to a cause).
Causes can be drugs like---
beta blockers, migraine medications that contain ergotamine or sumatriptan; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications; certain chemotherapy agents; and drugs that cause blood vessels to narrow, such as some over-the-counter cold medications.
It can be due to diseases like scleroderma and lupus.
Occupations that cause repetitive trauma, such as operating tools that vibrate, Smoking, caffeine, vinyl chloride can also lead to it.
The danger is--if an artery to an affected area becomes blocked completely, sores (skin ulcers) or dead tissue (gangrene) may develop. Ulcers and gangrene can be difficult to treat. In extreme untreated cases, your doctor may need to remove the affected part of your body (amputation).
Drugs that help--
Drugs that dilate vessels--Calcium channel blockers, Alpha blockers, other vasodilators.
Nitroglycerin cream applied to the base of your fingers to help heal skin ulcers.
Please consult your doctor. He will do some tests and advise you properly.
Regards, and all the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
what if they are always puffed up and swollen like , even when its not cold , like in the summer. The whole length of my fingers are puffed up. They usually turn a deep purple before getting really puffed up. when they are in hot water , like the shower, the area above my knuckles and before the joints on my fingers puff up read , while everything else will be purple.
Is this the same thing ? as what you have already suggested
Is this the same thing ? as what you have already suggested
Brief Answer:
In Raynaud's the reaction is only to cold.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, no it is not the same then. In Raynaud's the reaction is only to cold.
I think you are suffering from an auto immune disorder that has to be properly diagnosed with investigations like ANA, ESR, RA etc.
Please go to an immunologist or Rheumatologist for this.
All the best and regards.
In Raynaud's the reaction is only to cold.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, no it is not the same then. In Raynaud's the reaction is only to cold.
I think you are suffering from an auto immune disorder that has to be properly diagnosed with investigations like ANA, ESR, RA etc.
Please go to an immunologist or Rheumatologist for this.
All the best and regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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