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Wrist pain

There are several causes of wrist pain, and often you can ease the pain with some self-treatments, but if the pain doesn’t improve, kindly consult a doctor. 

Wrist pain self-treatments

The doctor might suggest: 

  • Rest the wrist whenever you can 
  • Place an ice pack on the wrist with a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2–3 hours
  • Keep moving your wrists and hands with gentle exercise to ease the stiffness and pain 
  • Consider painkillers (paracetamol) to ease pain 
  • Remove any jewelry if your wrist or hand is swollen
  • Avoid activities that cause more pain
  • Wear a splint to support the wrist, especially during nights
  • Use a soft pad while typing
  • Don’t take ibuprofen in the first 48 hours after injury
  • Don’t take hot baths or use heat packs for the first 3 days after injury
  • Don’t lift heavy objects or anything too tightly
Wrist pain self-treatments

Consult a doctor

  • If your wrist pain stops you from your daily activities
  • If the pain keeps coming back or gets worse 
  • If there is no improvement after self-treatments for two weeks
  • If you develop any tingling or loss of sensation in your wrist or hand 
  • If you have diabetes (hand-related problems can turn more severe if you have diabetes)
  • If you have a high temperature along with wrist pain 
  • If your wrist is warm, painful, still, and swollen

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022