If you’ve ever gone on a hike and noticed your hands swelling, you’re not alone.
It’s actually quite common for hands to swell when hiking due to the dilation of blood vessels in the extremities.
But why do our hands swell while hiking? And how can we prevent it?
There are several reasons why hands might swell when hiking. One reason is the temperature. If it’s hot outside, blood vessels tend to dilate more and cause hands to swell.
Another reason is exercise. When we hike, our hands and other extremities get a lot of use.
All that exercise can cause the hands to swell due to the increased blood flow. Finally, dehydration can also cause hands to swell including swollen fingers.
When we sweat, we lose fluids and this can lead to dehydration which, in turn, can cause hands to swell.
So be sure to read our full guide diving into the full details of each of these causes, as well as what you can do to prevent hand swelling when hiking.
What Causes Hands To Swell When Hiking?
There are several reasons why hands might swell when hiking. Let’s take an in-depth look at the reasons.
Temperature
One of the main factors is temperature. When it’s hot outside, blood vessels tend to dilate more in an effort to cool down the body.
This increase in blood flow can cause hands to swell. Additionally, fluid build-up from the blood can leak into the surrounding tissues, resulting in inflammation and swelling.
Excercise
Hiking is a great way to get some exercise, but it can also cause problems for your hands. When you hike, your hands and other extremities are more active than usual, even when it’s just a few hours.
The increased exercise can cause the hands to swell. That’s why it’s important to take breaks during your hike and to keep your hands warm and dry.
Dehydration
When we sweat, we lose fluids and this can lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause hands to swell.
This is because dehydration causes the body to release a hormone called vasopressin, which makes the body retain more water.
As a result, more fluid is retained in the body, causing the hands to swell from a fluid imbalance.
Furthermore, dehydration can also cause the body to produce less urine, which can also lead to fluid retention and swelling of the hands.
If you are dehydrated, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and avoid caffeinated drinks, as they can further dehydrate the body.
If you are still experiencing swelling after drinking plenty of fluids, you should stop hiking until you see a doctor as there may be another underlying cause.
So those are a few reasons why hands swell when hiking. But what can you do to prevent it?
How To Prevent Hand Swelling When Hiking
There are several things you can do to prevent swollen fingers when hiking. There are simple solutions you can follow when your fingers swell.
Here are a few tips:
Adjust Your Backpack
Constriction, such as from tight shoulder straps, can worsen swollen hands.
When hands swell from hiking, it’s often due to fluid retention as mentioned before.
To help reduce the amount of fluid retention, try to adjust your backpack straps so they’re not too tight.
You might also want to loosen your belt or any other clothing that might be constricting your hands and restricting the blood flow.
Apply Ice
If your hands are already swollen, try applying ice to the affected area.
Do this for 15-20 minutes at a time, and be sure to wrap the ice in a towel so you don’t cause any further damage.
You can also try using a cooling gel or lotion. If the swelling does not go down, you may need to seek medical attention.
Elevate Your Hands
If your hands are swollen, try to keep them elevated. This will help reduce the amount of swelling.
You can do this by propping your hands up on a pillow or by hanging them over the edge of a bed.
Wear Compression Gloves
If your hands are particularly swollen, you might want to try wearing compression gloves.
These gloves are designed to help reduce swelling and can be found at most drugstores or online.
Take a Break from Hiking
If your hands are still swollen after trying all of these things, it might be time to take a break from hiking.
Give your hands a few days to rest and recover.
If the swelling doesn’t go down after a few days, or if you experience any pain, you should see a doctor.
Wear Loose Clothing
As we mentioned before, constriction can worsen swollen hands.
To help prevent this, try to wear loose-fitting clothing when you go hiking.
This will help reduce the amount of pressure on your hands and allow them to swell less.
Bring Along Hand Cream
Hand cream can help prevent hands from drying out and cracking, which can make swelling worse.
Be sure to bring along a tube of hand cream when you go hiking, and apply it liberally to your hands throughout the day.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
As we mentioned before, dehydration can cause hands to swell. To prevent swelling from this, be sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Bring along a water bottle and take frequent breaks to drink. Try to stick to water or dilutants as both caffeine and sugar can dehydrate you.
If you are still experiencing swelling after drinking plenty of fluids, you should see a doctor as there may be another underlying cause.
You may need to be wary if you are doing anything to restrict blood flow to your hands such as wearing a tourniquet, as this can cause serious tissue damage.
If your hands are still swollen after trying all of these things, it might be time to take a break.
What Are Some Of The Symptoms Of Hand Swelling When Hiking?
There are several symptoms of swollen hands when hiking. These include:
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
If you experience any of these symptoms that cause swelling including swollen fingers, it is important to see a doctor just to be safe and ensure that you’re in good health.
What Should You Do If Your Hands Swell When Hiking?
If your hands start to swell, it’s important to take a break and try to cool them down. As your body temperature rises, your hands will swell.
Apply ice or a cool compress to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time. You can also try using a cooling gel or lotion.
If the swelling doesn’t go down after a few days, or if you experience any pain, you should see a doctor.
In some cases, you might need to wear compression gloves. These gloves are designed to help reduce swelling and are easy to find in pharmacies as well as online.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why hands swell when hiking. These include temperature, exercise, and dehydration.
There are a few things you can do to prevent or minimize hand swelling when out on the trail.
If you experience any symptoms of hand swelling, it is important to see a doctor as there may be another underlying cause.
Source:
https://www.handsonswellness.com/hands-swell-when-hiking/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ hands-swelling/ symptoms-causes/syc-20354999
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hands-swelling-causes-treatments
