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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.
If you see a GP about pain in your palm, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
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
take paracetamol to ease the pain
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
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
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
do not lift heavy objects or grip anything too tightly
You can ask a pharmacist about:
These might be signs of a broken 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 |
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 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:
