A burning sensation in the palms can be a disconcerting experience, often described as warmth, tingling, or discomfort. While frequently stemming from minor irritations, this symptom can also point to underlying health conditions. Understanding its various causes helps determine appropriate relief or when medical guidance is beneficial.
Common External and Environmental Causes
The hands are susceptible to external factors that can induce a burning sensation. Friction from repetitive tasks, like gardening without gloves or prolonged tool use, can lead to skin irritation and warmth. Brief contact with hot surfaces can also result in a temporary burning feeling as the skin reacts to thermal exposure.
Exposure to chemical irritants, such as harsh soaps, cleaning agents, or certain plant saps, can trigger irritant contact dermatitis. This compromises the skin’s protective barrier, leading to redness, dryness, and a burning or stinging feeling. Sunburn is another common environmental culprit; excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage skin cells, causing inflammation, pain, warmth, and occasionally blistering on exposed palms.
Skin-Related Conditions
Several dermatological conditions can manifest as burning palms. Contact dermatitis, whether irritant or allergic, occurs when the skin reacts to substances it touches. Allergic contact dermatitis, for example, might result from sensitivity to metals like nickel, latex, or certain fragrances, causing an itchy, burning rash.
Eczema, an inflammatory skin condition, frequently affects the hands and can cause significant burning. Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx, is a specific type characterized by small, fluid-filled blisters on the palms and sides of the fingers, which are intensely itchy and often accompanied by a burning sensation. Additionally, very dry skin can compromise the skin barrier, leading to microscopic cracks and increased sensitivity, which can manifest as persistent burning, especially when exposed to irritants or extreme temperatures.
Nerve Issues and Systemic Health Concerns
A burning sensation in the palms can indicate underlying nerve damage or broader systemic health issues. Peripheral neuropathy, a condition involving damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, commonly causes burning, tingling, or numbness, particularly in the hands and feet. This nerve damage can stem from various factors, including uncontrolled blood sugar levels in diabetes, certain vitamin deficiencies like B12, infections, or some medications.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a specific type of nerve compression, occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is squeezed, leading to pain, tingling, numbness, and often a burning sensation in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers, sometimes radiating into the palm. Less common but more severe conditions like erythromelalgia involve episodic burning pain, redness, and increased skin temperature, primarily in the hands and feet, triggered by warmth or activity. Palmar erythema, characterized by redness in the palms, may also be associated with warmth or burning, and can be a sign of underlying conditions such as liver disease, autoimmune disorders, or hormonal changes like those during pregnancy.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While many instances of burning palms resolve with simple home care, certain signs suggest medical evaluation is appropriate. If the burning sensation is persistent, progressively worsens, or is accompanied by severe pain, it warrants professional attention. Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands, or if the burning spreads to other body parts, are also indicators for a doctor’s visit.
The presence of a rash that does not improve, or signs of infection like increased redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or fever, should prompt medical consultation. If the cause of the burning is unknown and concerning, or if you have an underlying chronic health condition such as diabetes, seeking medical advice is a suitable step.
Home Care and Relief Measures
For mild cases of burning palms, several home care strategies can provide relief. Applying cool compresses or running cool water over the affected area for about 20 minutes can help soothe the burning sensation and reduce discomfort. Regular moisturizing with fragrance-free creams helps restore the skin’s barrier, particularly if dryness is a contributing factor.
Identifying and avoiding known irritants, such as harsh soaps or detergents, can prevent recurrence. Wearing protective gloves during activities that involve friction or chemical exposure, like cleaning or gardening, can also safeguard the hands. For minor irritation, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may help reduce inflammation, while oral antihistamines can alleviate itching if present. These measures are generally for temporary relief and should not replace medical consultation when serious underlying conditions are suspected.