If your rings are suddenly tighter than they used to be, you may be wondering what’s going on. Autoimmune diseases like lupus (the most common type is systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) are a common cause of dactylitis, also known as “sausage fingers.” Swollen fingers can happen with lupus-related joint inflammation or other issues like arthritis or tendinitis. As a separate condition, some people also experience puffy hands when they exercise.

Although mild finger swelling isn’t usually life-threatening, it’s worth mentioning to your health care provider. Swollen fingers associated with redness, intense pain, and tenderness can also be a sign of an infection that requires immediate medical attention. Another rare but important emergency is deep venous thrombosis. This condition is typically caused by blood clots, which rarely affect the vessels of the hand. However, if you notice pain along with tightness and swelling in your hand, particularly if it appears larger than the other hand, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. However, most of the time, hand swelling isn’t an immediate cause for concern.

Keep reading to find out why your fingers might be getting puffy and learn some helpful steps to resolve the issue.

Types of Arthritis

Arthralgia, commonly known as joint pain, is a frequent finding in people diagnosed with lupus. Inflammation at the joint or the tendon site is called arthritis or tendinitis, which may cause swelling, pain, and stiffness in the fingers. Fortunately, joint issues from lupus aren’t as likely to cause permanent joint damage as rheumatoid arthritis. You can also develop carpal tunnel syndrome if the inflammation starts putting pressure on the central nerve of your wrist, called the median nerve.

An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the body’s own healthy cells, tissues, or organs. People with lupus can also have rheumatoid arthritis as a comorbid autoimmune disease. (Comorbid conditions are those that occur at the same time.) Studies show that about 38 percent of people with lupus develop another autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Your rheumatologist can use blood tests and imaging to help figure out the underlying cause and best treatment options.

Exercise-Induced Swelling

Puffy, swollen hands are common with physical activity, although it’s not clear why it happens. One theory is that when blood flows to the heart and lungs, there’s not as much circulation to the hands. As a result, hands become colder, and the blood vessels expand and cause swelling.

Other possibilities include low sodium levels from intense exercise or the body trying to cool itself off by sending more blood to the vessels closest to the skin’s surface.

Finger Infections and Growths

You may also experience finger swelling if your hand is injured or infected or if you have a growth, such as a tumor or a ganglion cyst. Infections that can cause finger swelling include:

• Blistering distal dactylitis (bacterial infection of the fingers)
• Flexor tenosynovitis (infection of tendon sheaths in the hand)
• Lyme disease
• Syphilis
• Tuberculosis
• Other bacterial infections that can invade your tissues after a lesion in the hand

The immune system responds to finger damage by sending a rush of fluid to help heal the area. This fluid buildup leads to swelling and sometimes stiffness or soreness. If you have injuries or infections, it’s important to seek immediate medical care from your doctor or an urgent care facility. Numbness or tingling with swelling could be a sign of a more severe issue.

What You Can Do

If the inflammation from lupus or side effects of lupus medications cause your swollen fingers, your rheumatologist may consider adjusting your dosages or adding different treatments. That’s why it’s essential to talk to your doctor about any new symptoms, like finger swelling.

For finger swelling during exercise, you can wear gloves and drink sports drinks that contain electrolytes. You can also take breaks to circle your arms while exercising and alternate making a fist, stretching your fingers, and raising your hands over your head to promote circulation.

If your finger swelling is caused by an infection, you may need antibiotics to clear it up. Injury-related swelling can be treated by wearing compression wraps or gloves, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, and applying ice. Depending on the nature of your injury, your doctor may advise you to keep your hand still or move it frequently. Don’t take any over-the-counter medications without talking to your health care provider, especially if you have lupus nephritis (as NSAIDs can further damage your kidney function) or if you already take several prescriptions to manage your condition.

People with lupus may have swollen fingers, but it’s important to look at the whole picture and any other symptoms before figuring out the cause for concern. Finger swelling can be associated with lupus-related inflammation or other factors unrelated to the condition. Make sure to seek medical advice and discuss any ongoing or worrisome symptoms with your health care provider so you can receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, more than 223,000 people with lupus come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories.

Do you experience swollen fingers or joint pain as a common symptom of lupus or lupus flare-ups? What other parts of the body does your lupus affect? Post your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by sharing on your Activities page.