A burning sensation in the hands can range from mild irritation to significant discomfort. While often alarming, it doesn’t always indicate a serious health problem. This article explores various reasons why this sensation might occur.
Immediate and Common Causes
Burning hands can result from temporary, localized factors. Exposure to extreme temperatures, like touching a hot surface or prolonged cold, can induce a burning sensation, as can sunburn.
Contact with irritants such as harsh soaps, bleach, detergents, or certain plants can strip the skin’s protective barrier, leading to dryness and burning. Vigorous physical activity or repetitive motions may cause friction or muscle strain, contributing to temporary warmth or burning.
Minor skin irritations, including contact dermatitis from lotions or perfumes, eczema, and chronic dry skin, can also cause redness and burning. Temporary nerve compression, such as from sleeping in an awkward position, can result in a “pins and needles” or burning feeling that typically resolves once pressure is relieved.
Underlying Nerve and Circulation Issues
Persistent burning in the hands often stems from conditions affecting nerves or blood flow. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, can lead to chronic burning and tingling. This damage can also cause sharp pain, numbness, or a buzzing sensation.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a frequent cause, occurring when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed. This compression can cause burning, tingling, numbness, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and sometimes ring fingers. Symptoms often worsen at night or when holding objects. Pinched nerves in the neck or arm (cervical radiculopathy) can also cause pain, numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation radiating down the arm into the hand.
Raynaud’s phenomenon involves temporary spasms of small blood vessels, usually in the fingers and toes, in response to cold or stress. Reduced blood flow during an attack can cause fingers to turn white or blue, with burning occurring as blood flow returns. Poor circulation can also lead to a burning feeling, as reduced blood flow means less oxygen and nutrients reaching hand tissues.
Systemic Health Conditions
Beyond localized issues, several broader health conditions can cause burning hands by impacting nerves, blood vessels, or inflammatory processes. Diabetes is a common systemic cause, as high blood sugar levels can damage nerves, leading to diabetic neuropathy. This nerve damage often begins in the feet but can affect the hands, causing burning, tingling, and numbness.
Thyroid disorders can also affect nerve function and contribute to burning sensations. Autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation impacting nerves or blood vessels, leading to neuropathy. Multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune condition, can also cause nerve-related burning.
Deficiencies in certain vitamins, particularly B12, affect nerve health. A lack of B12 can cause paresthesia, a burning or “pins and needles” sensation in the hands and feet.
Kidney or liver diseases can also contribute to burning hands, as impaired organ function can lead to a buildup of toxins that damage nerves. Additionally, infections like shingles or Lyme disease can cause nerve inflammation and pain, including burning in the hands.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many causes of burning hands are temporary, certain signs suggest the need for medical evaluation. Seek medical attention if the burning sensation is persistent or worsens. Accompanying symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands or arms also require a doctor’s visit, as these can indicate nerve involvement.
A sudden onset of burning, especially after an injury, should also prompt medical consultation. Changes in skin appearance, such as discoloration, swelling, or a rash, warrant medical discussion.
If the burning interferes with daily activities or disrupts sleep, or if other concerning systemic symptoms like unexplained weight loss or fever are present, seek medical advice.