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There are many causes of pain in the back of your hand. You can often ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if the pain does not improve.
If you see a GP about pain in the back of your hand, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
rest your hand when you can
put an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel and place it on the back of your hand for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
take paracetamol to ease the pain
take off any jewellery if your hand is swollen
wrap a bandage around your hand to support it
wear a splint to support your hand and ease pain, especially at night – you can get these at most pharmacies and supermarkets
gently exercise your hand and fingers to help ease pain and stiffness
do not use ibuprofen in the first 48 hours after an injury
do not use heat packs or have hot baths for the first 2 to 3 days after an injury
You can ask a pharmacist about:
These might be signs of a broken hand.
Pain in the back 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 the back of your hand.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain, swelling and stiffness that lasts a long time, may be hard to move your fingers, may have a lump | Tendonitis or arthritis |
| Sudden, sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury | Broken bone in the hand |
| Smooth lump near a joint or tendon, may be painful | Ganglion cyst |
| Aching pain that's worse at night, numbness or pins and needles, a weak thumb or difficulty gripping | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Itchy and painful skin, rash | Scabies |
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.
If you have pain in the back 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:
