Warm Hands: Causes, Treatment, And Warning Signs - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeWhy Are My Hands Always Warm?

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Julie Ryan Evans — Updated on July 3, 2023

Palmar erythema
Fibromyalgia
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Peripheral neuropathy
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Erythromelalgia
Takeaway

A warm or burning sensation in your hands or fingers may be caused by a variety of conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, or nerve damage.

While cold hands can be painful and uncomfortable, warm hands can also cause problems. In some cases, your hands may just feel warm compared to the rest of your body. In others, you might even notice a burning sensation in your hands.

Keep reading to learn more about what might be causing this and how you can ease your symptoms.

Palmar erythema

Warmth or burning in both hands may be caused by a rare skin condition called palmar erythema. This condition also causes a splotchy red color on your palms, and sometimes even your fingers.

Some cases of palmar erythema have no known cause, or it may be inherited. However, others are related to or caused by:

pregnancy
medications
skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis
diabetes mellitus
autoimmune conditions
thyroid gland problems
HIV

If there’s no known cause of palmar erythema or it’s hereditary, there’s no specific treatment for it. But if it’s related to a treatable, underlying cause, it usually clears up after the underlying cause is addressed.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is usually marked by pain felt over various places of the body, as well as generalized fatigue. In some cases, people with fibromyalgia will experience a burning sensation in their hands and feet.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:

trouble getting good sleep and waking without feeling rested
headaches
depression
anxiety
trouble focusing
development of irritable bowel syndrome with pain or aching in your lower abdomen

Fibromyalgia can be hard for doctors to diagnose. You may have it if you experience ongoing, widespread pain that has no identifiable cause for at least three months or more.

Treatment options for managing symptoms include:

muscle relaxant medications
anticonvulsant medications
antidepressant medications

Others find relief through alternative remedies, including:

acupuncture
massage
yoga

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to what happens when there’s pressure on your median nerve. This nerve travels from your forearm into your palm, in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. In some cases, it can cause warmth or a burning sensation in your hands.

Other symptoms include:

numbness and tingling in your palm and fingers
weakness in your hand muscles
wrist pain, numbness, or weakness
pain and burning that moves up your arm

Several things can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. They include:

wrist injuries
poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
rheumatoid arthritis
hypothyroidism

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on how bad the pain is. Treatment options include:

avoiding positions that overflex or overextend your wrist
wearing a hand splint to keep your hand in a neutral position
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy
corticosteroid injections
surgery

Peripheral neuropathy

Warmth or a burning sensation in your hands can also be a symptom of peripheral neuropathy. This condition involves nerve dysfunction due to nerve damage from an underlying condition.

Other symptoms may include:

tingling in the hands or feet
sharp pain
numbness in the hands or feet
weakness in arms or legs
feeling of heaviness in arms or legs
a buzzing or shocking sensation in hands or feet
low blood pressure
erectile dysfunction
feeling like your arms or legs are locked in place

While genetics may play a role in the development of peripheral neuropathy, it’s typically due to an underlying condition.

Some common underlying conditions include:

autoimmune diseases
diabetes mellitus
hypothyroidism
viral and bacterial infections

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy usually focuses on managing the underlying cause. In the meantime, you can work with your doctor to manage your symptoms with:

pain treatment medications, including topical medications, such as lidocaine
anticonvulsant medication therapy
alternative therapies, such as acupuncture

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), also called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), is a complex condition where there’s malfunctioning in your nervous system and immune system. These malfunctions are usually the result of an injury or underlying condition, including stress, infection, or cancer.

While it occurs most often in the hand, it can affect other parts of the body as well. It often makes the affected body part warm to the touch. It may also cause sweating.

Other symptoms include:

pain
swelling
sensitivity to heat or cold
pale or red skin
muscle weakness or spasms
joint stiffness

Depending on your symptoms, there are many options for treating RSD. It may take some time before you find something that works, but possible treatments include:

medications, including NSAID, anticonvulsant, and corticosteroid therapies
anesthetic injections
biofeedback
physical therapy
surgical therapy

Erythromelalgia

Though it’s rare, erythromelalgia may cause intense warmth or a painful burning sensation in your hands. Other symptoms may include:

swelling
increased sweating
red or purple-colored skin

Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes most cases of erythromelalgia. Genetic inheritance is very rare. Erythromelalgia may be related to certain blood vessels not staying as dilated or narrowed as they should be, affecting blood flow to your arms and legs. It may also be related to or caused by an underlying condition, including:

bone marrow disorders
nerve damage
autoimmune disorders

Pain and burning caused by erythromelalgia respond well to cooling techniques, such as putting your hands in cold water. Other treatment options include:

elevating your hands
avoiding warm temperatures and hot water
topical creams containing lidocaine
medications such as calcium antagonists, tricyclic antidepressants, or antihistamine therapy

The bottom line

In most cases, having occasionally warm hands isn’t a problem. However, if the warmth doesn’t go away after several days or starts to cause a burning sensation, it’s best to contact your doctor. You may have an underlying condition that’s affecting your nervous or circulatory systems and need additional treatment.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet [Fact sheet]. (2017).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet
Complex regional pain syndrome (reflex sympathetic dystrophy). (2010).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-reflex-sympathetic-dystrophy
Erythromelalgia. (2015). https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/erythromelalgia/
Erythromelalgia. (2017).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erythromelalgia/
Fibromyalgia. (2016).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Peripheral neuropathy: Overview.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
Shand G. (2015). Palmar erythema.https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/palmar-erythema/
Shields RW.(2010). Peripheral neuropathy.http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/neurology/peripheral-neuropathy/

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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Julie Ryan Evans — Updated on July 3, 2023

Warm Hands: Causes, Treatment, And Warning Signs - Healthline

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Palmar erythema

Fibromyalgia

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Peripheral neuropathy

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Erythromelalgia

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