10 Possible Causes of Swollen Fingers

1. An infection

A thick, swollen finger can indicate an infection. The three most common infections are:

• Herpetic whitlow is a herpes infection that causes swollen and bloody blisters on fingers
• Paronychia is an infection in the nail base. It is usually caused by a bacteria or fungus
• Fijt is a painful infection of the fingertip, sometimes showing pus and pus

Take this to your doctor on time. If not treated early, finger infections can spread to other parts of the body.

2. Heat

When you exercise, you get hot and your fingers can swell. This is because your heart, lungs and muscles need a lot of oxygen. Your blood flows more to those organs and less to your hands, to which the small blood vessels respond. These expand and your fingers swell. When your body cools down again, the blood vessels shrink, allowing the heat to leave your body.

3. Gout

Another cause of swollen fingers can be the rheumatic disease gout. In this disease, uric acid crystals build up and cause an inflammatory response. The joint swells and feels painful and warm. Gout occurs in people who have elevated levels of uric acid in their blood for a long time. Medicines can help to reduce the pain.

4. Arthritis

With various forms of rheumatism you can get problems with your fingers. Psoriatic arthritis, for example. In this condition you usually suffer from joint inflammation in your hands, feet, elbows or knees.

Rheumatoid arthritis also affects the joints and causes swelling, stiffness and pain. Often the symptoms first appear in the joints of the hands.

Both forms of arthritis are serious and can cause joint damage and other body problems without treatment.

5. Kidney Disease

The kidneys are two important organs. They expel waste and excess fluid from your body, but also ensure that substances that are useful for your body are absorbed. Swollen fingers are often the first sign of various kidney diseases.

6. Trigger Finger

An annoying and sometimes painful condition is a trigger finger, also known as a jumping finger. The condition often occurs on one finger. Bending or stretching gives a painful feeling and you can no longer straighten the finger. A trigger finger occurs when a tendon is inflamed. Sometimes the symptoms disappear on their own, but in many cases an injection of an anti-inflammatory agent is needed to reduce the pressure in the tendon sheath.

7. Raynaud’s Disease

This disease is also called Raynaud’s phenomenon. A haematological condition in which the fingers, as well as the feet or other parts of the body, feel cold or numb. Sometimes the fingers change color; they turn white, red or blue. When normal circulation resumes, it is accompanied by tingling and sometimes swelling. The exact cause of the disease is unclear. The most important advice is not to smoke and to keep hands and feet warm.

8. Side effect of drugs

Certain medications can also cause swollen fingers as a side effect. For example:

• Certain pain relievers including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• Steroids
• Certain medications for diabetes or high blood pressure
• Medicines for painful nerves such as gabapentin and pregabalin
• Hormonal therapies with estrogen or testosterone

Consult with your GP or treating specialist whether you can switch medication.

9. Pregnancy

Fingers, feet and ankles can swell during your pregnancy. Watch out for any sudden swelling, especially in your hands and face, as it could be a sign of preeclampsia to be.

10. Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a serious condition. In this condition, a fluid buildup occurs because the damaged lymphatic vessels are unable to drain the fluid sufficiently. You can have congenital lymphedema, but it can also occur after surgery, an accident, skin infection or radiation.