My ring is easy to put on first thing in the morning. By night, they were nearly impossible to pry from my swollen, sausage-like fingers. Sound familiar? Of course, this is because they get hot during the day, and since this happens more and more often during the warmer months - especially during heat waves - I thought I should ask why my fingers get hotter in the heat. Swelling, and how to overcome it.
Why do my hands swell when heated?
The first thing to note is that heat-related swelling affects women more than men, according to the NHS. The NHS says this happens because our bodies send more blood to the skin in hot weather. Blood vessels dilate in an attempt to cool the body by allowing heat to escape through the skin's surface. When blood vessels do this, some fluid flows into the tissue, which is why swelling occurs, Tammy Olsen Utset, MD, MPH, explained to Prevention .
Basically, your hands swell in the heat because your body is trying its best to cool you down. This condition should go away on its own when you find yourself in colder conditions. It's usually not serious, so don't worry at first. Most treatments for swollen fingers are for cases where there is a more serious underlying condition. But if you want to try to speed up the swelling process, whether for cosmetic reasons or because of discomfort, there are some things you can do.
What is the safest way to remove a ring from a swollen finger?
Most of the time, you can safely remove a ring from a swollen finger with the help of soap, Vaseline, or even Windex. But in extreme cases, when swelling fails to subside, it can become an emergency. "As the finger swells, it becomes a restrictive band," Ohio State University emergency medicine physician Eric Adkins, MD, tells Health . "This cuts off the blood supply to the finger."
He continued: "If you wait too long, you could risk loss of function or complete loss of a finger, depending on the condition of the ring."
Obviously, this is the worst case scenario. But if you start to notice persistent pain, persistent swelling, or color changes on your finger, you should seek emergency help and try not to continue trying to take the ring off, as this may make the situation worse.
Is there any treatment for swollen fingers and hands?
The Mayo Clinic recommends holding out your fingers, then forming a fist with them, and repeating this motion several times. This advice is specifically for when you're exercising in the heat, but the same theory applies if your hands swell on their own in the heat.
You can also try raising your hands instead of letting them dangle at your sides, LiveStrong reports . The website says this will help with blood circulation and flow, and keeping your hands elevated at night (perhaps on a pillow) often helps.
Burdy recommends icing your hands: This will help the blood vessels constrict, which stops fluid from seeping into your fingers. DIY Remedies recommend placing a tea bag on your finger and soaking it in water mixed with Epsom salt, which is often known to help relieve inflammation.
What can I do to prevent my fingers from swelling in the heat?
This may not be what you want to do when the sun is shining, but staying active keeps blood flowing and circulating around your body, which will help reduce swelling.
Ultimately, if you're feeling sick, the best treatment is prevention: stay indoors! Remember to stay hydrated, as swollen fingers are a telltale sign that your body is reacting to temperature conditions. The NHS states that general thermal swelling of the feet and hands (medical name: edema) should not be treated with diuretics as they can dehydrate the body. If the swelling doesn't go away on its own when you're in a cool place, the swelling may be caused by something else, such as a sodium imbalance, and you should seek help. But in the summer, swollen fingers are an unfortunate but normal side effect of enjoying the sunshine.
