Pain in the palm of the hand
There are many causes of pain in the palm of your hand. You can often ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if the pain does not improve.
How you can ease palm pain yourself
If you see a GP about pain in your palm, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
Do
-
rest your hand when you can
-
put an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a towel and place it on your palm for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
-
use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed
-
remove any jewellery if your hand is swollen
-
stop or cut down activities that are causing the pain – for example, writing, typing, DIY or housework
-
wrap a bandage around your hand to support it
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wear a splint to support your palm and ease pain, especially at night – you can get these at most pharmacies and supermarkets
-
keep your hands and wrists moving with gentle exercises to help ease pain and stiffness
Don’t
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do not use heat packs or have hot baths for the first 2 to 3 days after an injury
-
do not lift heavy objects or grip anything too tightly
A pharmacist can help with hand pain
You can ask a pharmacist about:
- the best painkiller to take
- the best splint to support your hand and ease pain
- if you need to see a GP
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- pain in the palm of your hand is stopping you doing normal activities
- the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
- the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
- you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your hand
- you have diabetes – hand problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
- you have a painful palm and also feel unwell with a high temperature
- your palm is painful, warm, swollen and stiff
Immediate action required: Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if:
- you have severe pain in your hand
- you feel faint, dizzy or sick from the pain
- you heard a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of the injury
- you're not able to move your thumb or hold things
- your finger or thumb has changed shape or colour
- you've lost the feeling of part or all of your hand
These might be signs of a broken hand.
What we mean by severe pain
- Severe pain:
-
- always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
- you cannot sleep
- it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
- Moderate pain:
-
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
- Mild pain:
-
- comes and goes
- is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities
Common causes of pain in the palm of your hand
Pain in the palm of your hand is often caused by bruising or injuring your hand.
Your symptoms might also give you an idea of what's causing the pain in your palm.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Aching pain that's worse at night, numbness or pins and needles, a weak thumb or difficulty gripping | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Pain or tenderness in your palm at the base of your fingers or thumb, stiffness, clicking when you move your finger or thumb | Trigger finger |
| Pain, swelling and stiffness that lasts a long time, may be hard to move fingers, may have a lump | Arthritis |
| Sharp or burning pain, tingling or numbness, palm feels more or less sensitive to touch or heat | Peripheral neuropathy |
| Heat, pain and redness in the palms | Erythromelalgia |
If you're not sure what's causing pain in the palm of your hand
Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is.
Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
Self-refer for treatment
If you have pain in the palm of your hand, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
- ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
- check your GP surgery's website
- contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
- search online for NHS treatment for palm pain near you
Page last reviewed: 24 March 2022
Next review due: 24 March 2025