Guidance on Unexpected Hand Swelling
Hello! I’m a 24-year-old female currently taking birth control along with medications for depression (Venlafaxine) and ADHD (Vyvanse). I reside in Canada. Yesterday, I attended a birthday celebration for my nephew at a public indoor swimming facility. The day was pretty standard, consisting mainly of enjoying some waterslides and keeping an eye on the kids. However, upon returning home, I started to feel discomfort in my left hand. By 8 PM, the pain had intensified to the point where I couldn't bend my fingers at the knuckles. Today, my left hand remains both painful and swollen, although I've noticed the swelling doesn’t bother me when it's resting in a neutral position. I’ll share images in the comments for reference. After doing some digging into potential causes, I’m starting to think this might be a kind of injury or perhaps a sprain. I can't recall any moment when I hurt myself or felt any pain before this incident. Some friends are urging me to visit the emergency room, but I believe that could be an overreaction. I would appreciate any advice!
Answers (1)
7/6/2025, 10:40:33 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's concerning to hear about your sudden hand swelling and pain, especially since it has impacted your ability to move your fingers. Let's break down what you might be experiencing and what actions to take.
Summary of Main Points: You likely have swelling and pain in your left hand due to a potential injury, sprain, or another underlying issue, but it’s essential to monitor your symptoms closely and take appropriate steps for relief.
Explanation: Sudden swelling and pain in one hand can be caused by various issues, including:
- Sprains or Strains: Even if you don't recall an injury, activities like water slides can occasionally lead to unnoticed strains.
- Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions like tendinitis or arthritis can cause swelling and pain, although these usually have other accompanying symptoms.
- Infection: Although less likely, infections can cause localized swelling and pain.
Since your symptoms started after an active day and you didn’t feel prior pain, a sprain or strain is a plausible explanation. However, it's important to distinguish this from other conditions.
Next Steps:
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Rest Your Hand: Limit movement and avoid activities that cause pain. Gentle immobilization can help.
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Apply Ice: Use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on your hand for 15-20 minutes every hour to reduce swelling. Avoid placing ice directly on the skin.
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Keep Your Hand Elevated: When resting, try to keep your hand raised above heart level to help reduce swelling.
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Over-the-Counter Medication: Consider taking an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen (if you have no contraindications) to help with pain and swelling.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on how your symptoms progress. If the pain worsens, you develop a fever, or if the swelling doesn't improve in a couple of days, it may require a professional evaluation.
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Avoid Warm Water: Since you were at a swimming facility, avoid soaking your hand in warm water, which might exacerbate swelling.
If your friends remain concerned, you should listen to their advice, particularly if significant changes in your condition occur. It's better to err on the side of caution when it comes to potential injuries.
Feel free to update me on your condition or if you have further questions!
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