Dry, puffy hands while running?

Hi everyone,

I'm on week 6 of the Couch to 5K program, and I've noticed that when I run, my hands get really dry and puffy.  I'm wondering if this is normal and happens to other people, or if might be something more serious, and if there's anything I can do about it. Could it also be do to the fact that I'm overweight (5'7, 219lbs)?

It's not painful, but slightly uncomfortable, but usually goes away once I've gotten home and eaten something.

Thanks

Dehydration?

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Dehydration?

I guess it could be...I try to drink water before I head out, but maybe I should try drinking more.  The thing is, I never feel dehydrated while running, but it definitely couldn't hurt drinking some more before hand.

My fingers can get swollen when I'm even a little dehydrated (never knew it til I had a ring that actually fit and wasn't two sizes too big), and dry skin is another symptom of dehydration, even if you don't feel thirsty.

But make sure you don't drink so much water that you get cramps/stitches - or give yourself time between drinking and running.

Sometimes swelling in your extremeties can have to do with heightened blood pressure from exercising; I get it every time I do cardio.

I'm not sure if this is the same problem you have, but sometimes when I'm running or walking a long distance, my hands swell up.  This issue is exacerbated when the weather is warmer.  I think it's caused by all the blood rushing to my hands, so I try to not let my arms dangle by by sides and instead I make sure my elbows are bent so that my forearms are parallel to the ground at their lowest point.  I don't let my hands point downwards.

Hope that helps!

Mine will puff up if I don't keep them up.   Like valpal, if they're pointed down, my hands tend to fill up with fluid and get really swollen while I walk or run, but if my elbows are bent, they don't swell at all.

I have that exact same problem when I run sometimes. In addition to keeping your elbows bent, try clenching your hands into a loose fist and opening and closing your fingers.

Thanks for all the replies!  I went running this morning and made a conscious effort to keep my elbows bent and hands up, and while it didn't solve the problem completely, there was a SIGNIFICANT improvement.

Thanks!!!