What’s Going On With My Hand?
Hey there! I’m a 28-year-old trans man and I’ve been experiencing some unusual changes in my right hand over the past few months. It appears to be a bit swollen and puffy, and the color of my knuckles and fingers seems off. The swelling intensifies when I engage in activities like cleaning, but I’ve been noticing this persistently for quite some time. My left hand does exhibit similar symptoms occasionally, but they are much milder and less frequent. I’ve tried using fingertip-less compression gloves for relief, but they tend to cause more swelling in my fingers instead. I’m eager to hear any thoughts or theories about what might be happening to my hand. I appreciate your insights! For context, I have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and prediabetes, and I suspect I might have fibromyalgia. Additionally, I have ADHD. My current medication regimen includes Creons, Trikafta, duloxetine, atomoxetine, and testosterone injections.
Answers (1)
2/17/2026, 6:50:39 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing persistent swelling and color changes in your right hand, particularly after activities like cleaning, while your left hand shows milder symptoms. Given your medical history and current medications, it’s essential to consider various factors that could be contributing to your symptoms.
Explanation
Swelling and color changes in the hands can be caused by several factors, including:
- Overuse or repetitive strain: Engaging in activities that strain your hand, especially if you have underlying conditions like fibromyalgia, can worsen symptoms.
- Inflammation: This could be due to autoimmune processes or other inflammatory conditions, especially given your context.
- Circulation issues: Changes in color might suggest reduced blood flow or vascular problems.
- Side effects from medication: Some medications can cause swelling or affect blood circulation.
Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a diary of your hand symptoms, noting when swelling occurs and what activities you were doing. This can help identify triggers.
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Modify Activities: Engage in hand exercises that promote flexibility and avoid intense gripping or repetitive tasks. During cleaning, take regular breaks to rest your hands.
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Cold Therapy: Apply a cool compress to your hand for 10-15 minutes when swelling occurs. This can help reduce inflammation and provide relief.
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Elevate Your Hand: When resting, try to elevate your affected hand to reduce swelling.
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Reassess Compression Gloves: If the fingertip-less gloves are causing increased swelling, consider discontinuing them and exploring other forms of support, like soft wraps or podiatrist-designed splints.
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Hydration and Diet: Ensure you’re staying well-hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet to manage your prediabetes and support overall health.
If your symptoms worsen, change substantially, or do not improve with these strategies, consider discussing your symptoms with your healthcare provider for more tailored advice and evaluation. They may suggest further tests or adjustments to your medication regimen, considering your complex medical history.
I'm here if you have more questions or need further assistance!
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