She Strengthens

The Surprising Reasons Behind Your Warm Hands

Have you ever wondered why your hands feel like they’re on fire, even when you’re not holding a hot cup of coffee? It’s not just your imagination – warm hands can be a sign of an underlying medical issue. In fact, research suggests that physical temperature can influence our emotions and behavior towards others. But what if there’s no obvious explanation for your warm hands?

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Chronic Inflammatory Condition

One possible cause of warm hands is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints. RA typically starts in smaller areas, such as the hands, and can make your joints feel warm. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint deformity, loss of appetite, and joint stiffness.

Gout: Another Form of Inflammatory Arthritis

Gout is another form of inflammatory arthritis that can cause pain, swelling, redness, and heat in affected joints. While it usually affects the lower extremities, gout can also affect the wrists and fingers. Hyperuricemia, a condition that causes elevated uric acid in the blood, is often the culprit behind gout.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the Median Nerve

Carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition where the median nerve gets compressed or pinched, can also cause sensations like warmth, tingling, numbness, and pain in the fingers. This compression can be caused by various factors, including rheumatoid arthritis, overactive pituitary gland, underactive thyroid gland, and frequent use of vibrating tools.

Fibromyalgia: A Chronic Disorder with Widespread Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that can cause joint stiffness and numbness or tingling in the hands, which can feel like a burning sensation. While it’s not a form of arthritis, fibromyalgia comes with a laundry list of symptoms, including brain fog, headaches, restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and sensitivity to temperature.

Cellulitis: A Common Bacterial Skin Infection

Cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection, can cause pain, redness, swelling, and heat at the infected area. It usually occurs in the legs, but can happen anywhere on the body, including the hands. Anyone can get cellulitis, but those with obesity, lymphedema, chronic illness, or impaired immune system are more susceptible.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to the Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral neuropathy is a catchall term for any condition that damages the peripheral nervous system, which can cause a range of symptoms, including losing reflexes, excessive sweating, and tingling sensations. Underlying causes include diabetes, infections, physical injury, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune diseases.

Palmar Erythema: A Rare Skin Condition

Palmar erythema is a rare skin condition that causes redness and warmth in the heel of the palm and sometimes the fingers. The redness is typically blotchy, and the severity varies. While it’s sometimes hereditary, palmar erythema can also result from certain conditions, including liver disease, pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, and endocrine issues.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Damaged Nerves Causing Pain and Inflammation

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can cause temperature changes in the skin, along with pain and inflammation in an arm or leg. Additional symptoms include swelling, joint stiffness, changes in bone density, and unprovoked or excess pain. The nerve damage associated with CRPS is typically caused by physical injury or surgery.

Erythromelalgia: Burning Pain and Discoloration

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that causes burning pain in the hands, along with discoloration, swelling, and excessive sweating. The symptoms are usually triggered when the body temperature increases. Underlying medical issues, such as blood disorders, nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune disease, can cause erythromelalgia.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your warm hands persist and can’t be explained by temperature changes, wearing gloves, or holding a hot drink, it’s time to talk to your doctor. They will assess your medical history and other symptoms to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

The Bottom Line

Warm hands might mean warm, fuzzy feelings in the world of psychology, but if your warm hands are accompanied by other symptoms, your body might be waving a red flag. Don’t ignore the signs – seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and find the right treatment for you.