# Swelling itching fingers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 26, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955 "2005-02-26T01:09:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/1 "2005-02-26T01:09:38Z")
I sometimes get this odd condition where my fingers itch and swell, although the swelling isn’t that noticable. It’s not a skin condition; there’s no redness or anything. I can’t pin down what causes it, though. I’ve had it as long as I can remember, but only every now and then, and it goes away after an hour or so. Anybody know what this is? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/2 "2005-02-26T01:12:50Z")
You say that it’s not a skin condition. This puzzles me. If it isn’t your skin that itches, what is it? How can anything other than your skin itch? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/3 "2005-02-26T01:30:19Z")
Does this perhaps follow being in the cold for a while, then coming into a very warm house? I get that sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/4 "2005-02-26T02:26:51Z")
I sometimes get this in the middle of the night, then have to sit around posting here, until the antihistamine kicks in, stops the itch, and I can go back to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/5 "2005-02-26T02:30:30Z")
What do you do preceding this condition? The things that come to mind are: 1. Repetitive motion problems that give you numbness and tingling. 2. Skin problems like bathing in really hot water, being in the cold, really dry skin, etc. 3. Contact with chemicals. More information please!!! L ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/6 "2005-02-26T04:00:26Z")
When my fingers swell, it’s almost always because I’ve had too much salt. The itching could be just a reaction of the skin to being stretched by the swelling. ---
**Author:** ![LisaRx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/77aa72/32.png) [@LisaRx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LisaRx)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/7 "2005-02-26T05:46:01Z")
Too much salt as in table salt?? Or, is it a specific kind of food? MSG in Chinese food makes me have all kinds of unpleasant effects (numbness, headaches, flushing). ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/8 "2005-02-26T05:46:30Z")
IANAD, but the fact that it’s only happening in your hands indicates that it could be contact dermatitis due to allergy. Is there anything you come in regular contact with that could cause this? Latex gloves, certain chemicals, pets, etc.? Maybe **QtM** might come along and be able to offer some insight on this… ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swelling-itching-fingers/291955/9 "2005-02-26T09:49:55Z")
Thanks! **trublmakr** might have it. I was thinking it might be salt-related. I remember getting it one time when I ate a bunch of bacon, then went hikng. And it’s definitely not skin-related. The skin isn’t dry and looks normal. The itching is mostly between the fingers. It’s morning now and the swelling and itching is gone. Yay!