Why are my hands warm?

Causes of warm hands

The following medical issues and other factors can lead to warm hands:

1. External temperature changes

When the weather is hot, the hands may be too. Some people notice that their hands feel very hot after gardening outside in gardening gloves. Any activity that involves the hands being covered in sunny weather can cause them to feel warmer than the rest of the body.

Cold weather can also have this effect, particularly in people who have been wearing gloves or who are very sensitive to temperature changes. In this case, warm hands simply indicate a contrast between the warmth of the body and the temperature outdoors.

2. Exercise

Exercise increases blood flow, so any activity that involves frequent or intense hand movement can temporarily leave them feeling warm. People who spend long periods typing, writing, or doing grip exercises may notice that their hands feel warm for a few minutes afterward.

No treatment or medical follow-up is necessary when movement is clearly responsible for the warmth.

3. High blood pressure

Because increased blood flow to an area of the body can make it feel warm, people with high blood pressure may have warm hands or feet.

A simple test can assess whether high blood pressure is a factor.

4. Cellulitis and other infections

An elevated temperature can help the body fight infection. This is why areas of infection tend to feel warm, and the hands are no exception.

An infection called cellulitis is often responsible. This infection occurs deep in skin tissue and can spread quickly.

People usually develop cellulitis after an injury, but even the tiniest cut can allow the bacteria to enter the body.

If the hands are hot, swollen, painful, or inflamed, cellulitis could be the culprit. Anyone who suspects that they have this condition should speak with a doctor.

5. Inflammatory conditions

Inflammation is one way that the body fights infections. Some medical conditions cause parts of the body to be chronically inflamed, allowing more blood to flow to the infected area.

Inflammatory disorders affecting the hands or wrists can lead to an unusual feeling of warmth.

An inflammatory condition that commonly affects the hands is rheumatoid arthritis. This causes the body to attack joint tissue, leading to swelling, pain, and inflammation.

People with rheumatoid arthritis in their fingers or wrists may have pain, weakness, and difficulty moving these areas.

6. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Damage to the median nerve, which is located in the wrist, can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. An injury, rheumatoid arthritis, problems with the thyroid gland, and cysts can cause this disorder.

Early symptoms include numbness, tingling, or burning in the affected hand or wrist. In addition to feeling hot, the hands may shake or feel weak.

7. Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage caused by another medical condition, often diabetes. It can cause tingling, numbness, and prickly sensations in the hands and feet.

The nerve damage can cause the hands to feel hot, even when they are not. Also, some people find that their hands or feet become very sensitive to changes in temperature.

8. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that involves widespread muscle pain and areas of tenderness throughout the body. It is little understood, but may involve increased sensitivity to pain.

Some people with fibromyalgia are sensitive to changes in temperature, and they may have hot or cold sensations in their hands.

The pain is often described as burning, so people with fibromyalgia-related pain in the hands may also have a sensation of warmth.

9. Erythromelalgia

Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder that often affects the feet and, less commonly, the hands. It is associated with thrombocythemias, such as essential thrombocythemia.

Erythromelalgia can lead to an intense burning sensation, as well as itching, skin redness and other color changes, and a feeling that the hands are hot. This feeling usually lasts for a few hours at a time and often gets worse in very warm weather.

Treatment

Warm hands are a symptom, not a medical condition. They do not always require treatment, and the right treatment depends on the underlying cause.

A doctor will ask about other symptoms, such as pain. They will also ask how long the feeling of warmth has lasted.

Depending on the diagnosis, a doctor may suggest:

• High blood pressure: lifestyle changes, exercise, weight loss, dietary adjustments, blood pressure medication, and regular monitoring
• Cellulitis: antibiotics
• Peripheral neuropathy: treatment for the underlying cause and pain medication
• Inflammatory conditions: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lifestyle changes, physical therapy, immunosuppressants, and complementary treatments such as acupuncture
• Fibromyalgia: exercise, antidepressants, medications, lifestyle changes, and complementary or alternative treatments
• Erythromelalgia: NSAIDs and pain medication

When to see a doctor

When the cause of warm hands is likely harmless, such as exercise or a change in weather, a person can wait to see if the warmth goes away on its own. Otherwise, it is important to speak with a doctor.

Warm hands may be the first symptom of a severe medical condition. Receiving medical attention at an early stage can make treatment easier and more effective.

Seek immediate medical care if warm hands accompany symptoms that can indicate a medical emergency, such as a racing heartbeat, confusion, or a fever.

Summary

The hands reveal a lot about health, and because they play a prominent role in many activities, it may be easier to notice hand-related symptoms.

Temperature is not always consistent throughout the body. While having warm hands is not always a cause for concern, the symptom can indicate a more serious underlying issue.

Consider speaking with a doctor when changes in the body’s temperature are causing concern.