This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, entitlements and contact routes may differ in other countries.
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.
This can be caused by:
- staying in the same position for too long
- eating too much salty food
- taking certain medicines, such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants and steroids
- cancer treatment
- an infection or injury, such as a sprain or strain
- sudden changes in temperature, such as very hot weather
- an insect bite or sting, or a skin allergy such as angioedema
- problems with your kidneys, liver or heart
- a blood clot or circulation problems
- lymphoedema
Symptoms of oedema
Symptoms of oedema in the arms or hands include:
Swollen or puffy arms or hands.
Shiny, stretched skin.
How to ease swelling yourself
If you have swelling in your arms or hands there are some things you can try that may help.
If you do not know what's causing the swelling, get advice from a health professional before trying these self-care tips.
Do
use pillows or cushions to raise your arm when lying or sitting
move your arm as normal
get some gentle exercise, like walking, to improve your blood flow
keep hydrated and drink fluids as normal
wash and dry your arms and hands to avoid infections, and moisturise to protect your skin
try to stay cool if you know getting hot makes the swelling worse
Don't
do not stay in the same position for long periods of time
do not wear clothes that are too tight
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you have swelling in 1 or both arms or hands 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, cold or shivery
- you have swelling in your arms, hands and other parts of your body
- you have diabetes and your arm or hand is swollen
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .
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, or another serious problem that needs immediate treatment.
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 tablets) 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.
Swollen arms and hands (oedema)
Swollen arms and hands (oedema)
Swollen arms and hands (oedema)
Common causes of swollen arms or hands include staying in the same position for too long, a diet high in salt, allergic reactions and some medicines.
Things you can do to ease swelling in your arms or hands include raising the area, doing gentle exercise and drinking fluids as normal.
Treatment for swollen arms or hands depends on the cause. For example, taking water tablets (diuretics) or wearing compression sleeves may help.
Content supplied by the NHS website, refreshed 19 August 2026. View the original NHS article ↗
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