Swollen arms and hands (oedema)
Overview
Swelling in the arms or hands (oedema) can sometimes get better on its own. See a GP if it does not go away, you're worried or if you do not know what's causing it.
Symptoms
Symptoms of oedema in the arms or hands include:
Causes
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 longeating too much salty foodtaking certain medicines, such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants and steroidscancer treatmentan infection or injury, such as asprain or strainsudden changes in temperature, such as very hot weatheraninsect bite or sting, or a skin allergy such asangioedemaproblems with your kidneys, liver or hearta blood clot or circulation problemslymphoedema
Treatment
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 swellingtreating any condition that is causing the swellingdiuretics (water tablets) to help reduce the swellingwearing special gloves or sleeves to stop any swelling from coming back (compression aids) Treatment may also include lifestyle changes, such aslosing weightor going on alow-salt diet.