Swelling in the arms or hands (oedema) often goes away on its own. See a GP if it does not get better in a few days. Swelling in the arms and hands is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas. It's usually caused by: It can also be caused by: Symptoms of oedema include: Swelling in your arms or hands should go away on its own, but there are some things you can try to help. lie down and use pillows to raise the swollen area when you can move your whole arm and shoulder try raising your hand above your head while you open and close your fist massage your arm or hand towards your body using firm but not painful pressure – for example, start at your fingertips and massage towards your palm get some gentle exercise, like walking, to improve your blood flow drink plenty of water wash, dry and moisturise your arms or hands to avoid infections put your hands in a bath of warm water and then cold water to help move the fluid away from the area Don’t
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your arm or hand is swollen and:
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Immediate action required: Call 999 if:
You could have a blood clot in your lungs, which needs immediate treatment in hospital. Treatment for swellingTreatment for swelling or oedema that does not go away on its own will depend on the cause. Possible treatments include:
Treatment may also include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or going on a low-salt diet. Page last reviewed: 02 March 2022 How do I stop my hands from swelling at night?Ice cubes in a zipper-lock bag or a bag of frozen veggies will work, too. The effect is the same: Cold helps lessen swelling. Wrap a thin towel around the pack so it doesn't irritate your skin. Put it on your hand for 10 minutes, then 10 minutes off, and another 10 minutes on.
What causes hand swelling while sleeping?Poor sleep position
For some people, swollen hands in the morning are a sign of sleep posture. If you sleep on your hands and put the majority of your weight on your side, you could wake up with swollen hands. Treatment: Change your sleeping position throughout the night.
Is it normal for fingers to swell while sleeping?Swollen fingers caused by sleep position
Swelling can sometimes occur in the hands and fingers when you wake up in the morning. While this can be caused by another underlying condition, such as arthritis, it can be made worse by certain sleeping positions.
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