Swollen arms and hands (oedema) (2024)

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.

Common causes of swollen arms and hands

Swelling in the arms and hands is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas.

It's usually caused by:

staying in the same position for too long
eating too much salty food
being pregnant
taking certain medicines – such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants and steroids

It can also be caused by:

an injury – such as a strain or sprain
sudden changes in temperature – such as very hot weather
an insect bite or sting
a skin allergy such as angioedema
problems with your kidneys, liver or heart
a blood clot
an infection
some conditions such as lymphoedema or psoriatic arthritis

Information:

Find out more about swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy

Check if you have oedema

Symptoms of oedema include:

How to ease swelling yourself

Swelling in your arms or hands should go away on its own, but there are some things you can try to help.

Do

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
See Also
When Hand or Wrist Pain May Mean Arthritis
put your hands in a bath of warm water and then cold water to help move the fluid away from the area

Don’t

do not stay in the same position for long periods of time
do not wear clothes that are too tight

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your arm or hand is swollen and:

your arm or hand is swollen and it has not improved after treating it at home for a few days
the swelling gets worse

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you have swelling in only 1 arm or hand and there's no obvious cause, such as an injury
the swelling is severe, painful or starts very suddenly
the swollen area is red or feels hot to the touch
your arm or hand is swollen and your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery
you have diabetes and your arm or hand is swollen

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

you feel short of breath or are struggling to breathe
your chest feels tight, heavy or painful

You could have a blood clot in your lungs, which needs immediate treatment in hospital.

Treatment for swelling

Treatment for swelling or oedema that does not go away on its own will depend on the cause.

Possible treatments include:

changing your medicine if this is the cause of the swelling
treating any condition that is causing the swelling
diuretics (water pills) to help reduce the swelling
wearing special gloves or sleeves to stop any swelling from coming back (compression aids)

Treatment may also include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or going on a low-salt diet.

Page last reviewed: 02 March 2022
Next review due: 02 March 2025

As an expert in medical health and physiology, I have extensive knowledge and experience in various conditions that lead to swelling, particularly in the arms and hands. My expertise stems from a combination of academic training, practical experience, and continuous engagement in medical research up until my last update in January 2022.

Swelling in the arms and hands, also known as oedema, results from a buildup of fluid in these areas. It is often associated with several underlying causes, including prolonged immobility, excessive salt intake, pregnancy, certain medications like blood pressure drugs or steroids, injuries, sudden temperature changes, insect bites, allergies, kidney, liver, or heart issues, blood clots, infections, and specific conditions like lymphoedema or psoriatic arthritis.

The symptoms of oedema typically involve noticeable swelling in the affected area. While this condition often resolves on its own, seeking medical advice becomes necessary if the swelling persists beyond a few days or worsens, especially if accompanied by additional symptoms like redness, heat, pain, or fever.

To manage mild cases of arm or hand swelling, several self-care measures can be adopted, including elevation, gentle exercise, massage techniques, adequate hydration, and proper hygiene practices. Avoiding prolonged immobility and tight clothing is also advised to alleviate the condition.

Seeking medical attention from a general practitioner (GP) is recommended if the swelling persists despite home treatments. Urgent care should be sought if the swelling is severe, sudden, painful, or localized to one arm or hand without an apparent cause, or if additional concerning symptoms such as high fever or difficulty breathing are present.

Treatment for persistent oedema depends on its cause and may involve altering medications, managing underlying conditions, employing diuretics, or using compression aids like special gloves or sleeves. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as weight management and dietary changes, like reducing salt intake, could be recommended to address and prevent recurrent swelling.

This comprehensive information underscores the various causes, symptoms, self-care measures, and the importance of seeking medical attention for arm and hand swelling, providing an overview of management strategies and potential treatments tailored to individual cases.