The body tends to be highly efficient at letting us know when something is wrong. While it does tend to overreact now and again (such as with allergies), it’s never a bad idea to keep an eye on how you’re feeling and what you can do to circumvent any potential issues. It can sometimes be challenging to figure out the root cause of any potential health issue. For example, swelling in the arms or hands is usually caused by a buildup of fluid and can have many likely reasons. The condition is known as edema, and the most common bouts of hand swelling tend to go away on their own. However, you’ll have a much easier time getting rid of the condition if you take the time to learn what potentially caused it. Hand swelling could be a cause for concern, or the underlying cause might not be too serious.
Of course, it’s better to be safe than sorry concerning issues such as edema. It could save you from a medical emergency depending on other symptoms, such as a fever or if the swelling is red and hot to the touch.
Contact Dermatitis
In some situations, the body can overreact to foreign substances that typically wouldn’t cause harm. Food allergies are a prime example, as many people tend to have allergies concerning foods that don’t bother most other people. In this case, contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to an irritant, or potentially a material that isn’t harmful to most other people, but your body still treats it as a threat. As a result, there can be a buildup of fluid in the affected area, resulting in swollen hands or arms. The only way to deal with contact dermatitis is to take note of what causes adverse reactions and do what you can to avoid them.
For example, wearing a jacket and other protective clothing can help keep the irritants from coming to contact with your skin. Constant exposure can potentially ease the symptoms, but most people would prefer to simply avoid the irritant or allergen. Allergic reactions can be challenging, but eventually, it will come as second nature and won’t be nearly as frustrating. Typically, a swollen hand, in this case, isn’t a medical emergency.
