What your hands can tell you about your health

The solution

While there’s no specific treatment for red palms, addressing the underlying cause can help to manage the condition. Use unscented hand cream and wear gloves for washing up. If your red palms persist, get them checked by your GP to see if they are a sign of a more serious problem, Lear says.

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2. Swollen/knobbly knuckles

Swollen knuckles can be a sign of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout. If the skin is also inflamed, this may be psoriatic arthritis, a long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness, says Lear.

Laftah says: “Osteoarthritis causes joint stiffness, pain and bony nodules. Rheumatoid arthritis leads to swollen, warm joints, morning stiffness and potential finger deformities.”

Lear adds: “But sometimes people get swollen knuckles if their protein levels are very low. And swollen fingers can be caused by thyroid disease, or a skin problem called cellulitis.”

The solution

First, you need to get it diagnosed.

“For arthritis there are different treatments, from anti-inflammatories to immune-suppressant drugs or biologic drugs,” says Lear. The swelling and pain can be alleviated by applying ice, keeping your hand elevated and taking ibuprofen.

“For osteoarthritis, some research has shown glucosamine, omega-3 and collagen supplements may help. Weight loss and exercise is also advised,” says Laftah.

Psoriatic arthritis is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics. To boost albumin and protein levels, eat protein at every meal and take a vitamin D supplement.

3. Hand pain and stiffness

There are various causes for pain and stiffness, including arthritis, skin disease such as eczema or psoriasis, Raynaud’s syndrome or chilblains.

“In the latter case, the chilblains can be simple ones or can be associated with a systemic disease or connective tissue disease – this can be very painful and needs to be diagnosed,” says Lear. Another cause of hand pain is carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the nerves at the wrist), which has various causes, including being overweight, having diabetes and work factors such as repetitive movements, so diagnosis is essential.

The solution

Chilblains usually clear up on their own, but paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease the pain. You can prevent them by wrapping up in warm, waterproof clothing in cold weather, moisturising hands and cutting out smoking and alcohol to improve circulation.

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“To prevent vascular constriction, keeping active helps improve circulation,” says Laftah. “And avoid tight clothing and footwear, which can restrict blood flow.”

4. Shaky hands

There are many causes for hand tremors, including anxiety, fatigue and an excess of caffeine.

“But the most common cause is benign essential tremor that comes with no underlying serious illness,” says Lear. This is a condition that affects the nervous system, causing involuntary and rhythmic shaking.

“You can also get a tremor with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases, or if your thyroid is overactive. There are also certain muscle disorders that can give you a tremor,” Lear adds.

Diagnosis is essential.

The solution

The most common medications for benign essential tremor are beta-blockers such as propranolol and anti-seizure drugs like primidone. If you have Parkinson’s disease, there are drugs that can help, including levodopa that helps replenish dopamine in the brain, so get a diagnosis for the right help.

5. Red, white and blue fingertips

Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition that causes blood vessels to constrict, cutting off blood flow to the fingertips, causes these alarming colour changes, along with numbness, tingling and pain. “This is triggered by cold temperatures, but it may also indicate an underlying autoimmune disease,” says Laftah.

Make sure there’s no underlying connective tissue disease by seeing your GP.

If your fingers become red, you could have a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema, or an infection in the skin or in the nail fold – a paronychia.

“Paronychia is a bacterial or fungal infection around the nail folds, causing redness, swelling and pain,” says Laftah.

The solution

The main trigger for Raynaud’s syndrome, if you are prone to it, is getting cold, so wear gloves, even heated ones.

“Vasodilator tablets can help,” says Lear. These are available on prescription. “But preventing it by keeping your hands warm is better.”

With inflammation around nails, Laftah says: “Treat active inflammation with prescription grade creams to reduce risk of nail damage.”

6. Red scales or pus-filled bumps

These symptoms could be caused by dermatitis or psoriasis. Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that shows up on the hands, can be painful. Sometimes it can be accompanied by pus-filled blisters or lead to painful cracking and fissuring.

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“Eczema leads to dry, red, itchy and inflamed skin on the hands, often associated with cracks or fissures,” says Laftah. “Inflammation around the nails can also result in nail abnormalities including ridges, pitting and discolouration.”

The symptoms can also be caused by allergic dermatitis.

The solution

See a dermatologist or healthcare provider if you think you may have psoriasis. To prevent dermatitis, keep your hands away from chemicals.

“Good hand care – such as wearing gloves for washing up – is essential,” says Lear. “Dry your hands properly after washing them. And use hand moisturisers little and often”.

In the case of allergic dermatitis, you need to work out what the irritant or allergen is – commonly nickel, latex or soaps.

7. White spots in nails

“Leuconychia are white dots or spots on the nails commonly caused by minor trauma to the nail matrix,” says Laftah. “They can also be associated with systemic conditions like zinc deficiency, eczema, or fungal infections.”

White spots can also be caused by calcium deposits, which aren’t serious.

“But if the nails get flaky, it can be a sign of a fungal infection in the nails that presents as white spots. White nails can also be a sign of low protein,” says Lear.

The solution

“Once diagnosed from a nail clipping, a fungal infection can be treated using antifungal tablets or nail lacquers,” says Lear.

8. Brittle or yellowing nails

“Nail fungal infections – onychomycosis – can cause the infected nails to become thickened, discoloured, often yellow, or brittle,” says Laftah.

Lear says: “Or if your nails go very yellow, this can be associated with lung disease.”

Brittle nails can be associated with vitamin or iron deficiency. And they can also be due to inflammatory nail diseases such as paronychia, or psoriasis.

The solution

Use a nail oil, hand lotion, or cream that contains lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acids to moisturise your nails at least once a day. A biotin supplement can help promote nail health, and a diet rich in protein, iron and zinc.

9. Pitted nails

While pitted nails can be associated with eczema or thyroid disease, “psoriasis can result in pitted, thickened and discoloured nails which may also become lifted from the nail bed – onycholysis”, says Laftah. Nail ridges can be a sign of a variety of internal and external changes or trauma.

The solution

“The treatments used for psoriasis – creams, tablets and injections – don’t tend to work too well for nails as the drugs don’t penetrate them,” says Lear. Phototherapy, also known as light therapy or bright light therapy, can reduce nail separation and discolouration.

The Telegraph, London

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