Why are my hands warm?

The hands change temperature for many reasons, and they may feel warm or cold at different times of the day. A person might be worried if their hands are always warm, or even hot. Several medical conditions can cause this symptom, and anyone concerned about a change in their hands should see a doctor.

A 2008 study may have debunked the adage that cold hands mean a warm heart. Research suggests that warming the hands may lead to feelings of warmth toward other people.

But when hands feel unusually warm all the time, increased blood flow, infection, and other medical issues may be responsible.

People who have warm hands should not diagnose themselves based on this symptom alone. Other symptoms and a person's medical history can help a doctor to determine whether something is wrong.

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 to fight infection. This is why an infected area tends 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 red, cellulitis could be the culprit. Anyone who suspects that they have this condition should see 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.

One of the most common inflammatory conditions 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 many researchers believe that the pain is caused by nerve hyperactivity.

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

This rare disorder often affects the feet and, less commonly, the hands. It remains poorly understood, but some researchers believe that it may be caused by changes in blood vessels.

Erythromelalgia can lead to an intense burning sensation, as well as itching, redness, 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.

Source: Medical News Today