Suggest Treatment For Swelling On The Hands And Palms

Posted on Sat, 17 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 Answered on

Fri, 7 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : i fell last evening and my index and middle fingers were bent backwards. my palm is blue and hand is swollen and hurts like number 7 out 0f 1 to 10. i have been icing it and applied Vicks rub on hand and fingers with no good results. i have carpal tunnel.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
need xray

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your comments.
Whenever you fall onto your hand you are at risk for fractures of the fingers and wrist.
With that much pain, bruising and swelling you really need to see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure there is no break/fracture.
If there is no fracture then you can use elastic bandage like an ace wrap and keep the hand propped up whenever possible to decrease the swelling.
Ice will not help much after the first day and continued use may slow healing. The Vicks will not help.
If there is no fracture and the pain continues you may even need an MRI to look at tendons, but hopefully it will not come to that.
See a doctor as soon as possible
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar