Hand pain is so frustrating, interfering with normal activities and compromising your quality of life. No matter if you’re typing at a keyboard, grasping a coffee cup, or twisting the lid off of a jar, we use our hands for just about everything — and when our hands hurt, it feels like a huge disturbance. Let’s examine what contributes to hand pain, as well as some treatment and remedies to help you enjoy some much-sought relief.
Why Does Hand Pain Occur?
Your wrists and hands are composed of a delicate system of muscles, bones, tendons, and joints, which all collaborate to provide you with strength and mobility. However, when something disrupts this system, it can cause you pain or discomfort.
Overuse is also one of the most common reasons why folks suffer from pain in their hands, particularly if you’re performing the same repeated motion again and again — say, typing on the computer, knitting, or playing a musical instrument. Bumps, broken bones, or joint dislocations are also typical culprits. On top of that, health conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or problems with nerves are other causes that lead to sustained pain in your hands.
Remedies for Overuse and Minor Injuries
If your hand discomfort is due to overuse or a minor injury, adhering to the RICE approach may be an excellent starting point:
- Rest: Take a break from activities that could be leading to the strain and allow the hands to heal.
- Ice: Use an ice pack covered with a cloth over the aching area for 20 minutes, several times daily, to help decrease swelling.
- Compression: Applying a compression bandage can help stabilize your hand and reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Have your injured hand above the level of your heart as much as possible to aid in swelling.
If the pain doesn’t go away after trying these steps, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider. For small cuts or scrapes, make sure to clean the area, disinfect it, and cover it with a bandage to prevent infection and promote healing.
Dealing with Repetitive Strain Injuries
If your hand discomfort is due to repetitive strain, it is also essential to identify the activities which are causing this and modify or avoid them as needed. There are over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen available that can make pain more tolerable. Alternate use of a hot pack followed by a cold pack may give relief as well.
Medical Conditions That May Produce Hand Pain
Certain medical conditions can produce permanent hand pain and may require treatments specifically tailored for them:
- Scleroderma and Raynaud Phenomenon: Scleroderma can thicken and tighten the skin on your fingers, making it difficult to move. In severe cases, it can constrict blood vessels in your hands, causing pain and tingling, a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon. Though there is no cure for these conditions, medicines such as steroids and immunosuppressants can be used to treat symptoms. Keeping your hands warm also helps prevent flare-ups.
- Arthritis: Arthritis encompasses more than 100 various disorders that may erode cartilage, leading to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is especially challenging since it tends to strike joints on one or both sides of the body. If one thumb joint is sore, the same one on the other hand will often be as well. Therapies are typically a combination of medication, physical therapy, and some changes in lifestyle — all under the supervision of a rheumatologist.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: In contrast to arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve problem. It occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and pain, usually at night. Home treatments such as hand exercises, keeping weight at a healthy level, and reducing activities that aggravate symptoms can be beneficial. In severe cases, treatments such as steroid injections or surgery may be required.
Ganglion Cysts: A Benign but Common Condition
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps that tend to appear close to joints and tendons on the hand or wrist. They’re usually harmless and may even resolve on their own. However, if they become painful or limit movement, treatments such as splinting, anti-inflammatory drugs, draining the cyst, or removal of the cyst by surgery are alternatives.
When to See a Doctor
If your hand aching persists or becomes worse despite trying home remedies, don’t hesitate to go to the doctor. Long-standing conditions such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome most likely require specialty treatment, and left-untreated injury may cause more severe issues later.
Knowing what’s causing your hand pain — and understanding what treatments exist — can enable you to act and feel better. Whether it’s a mild strain or a more severe condition, getting to the issue early can allow you to resume using your hands confidently and comfortably.
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