Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and swelling in the joints. These symptoms can result in swelling to develop in the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. Both at-home and medical treatments are available to help reduce swelling associated with RA.

Arthritic conditions can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the small joints of the hands and fingers. Inflammatory arthritis conditions, like RA, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis cause inflammation. Symptoms of inflammation include redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.

If a joint experiences damage or excessive stress, the tissues that line the joint may swell. This swelling may make your hands and fingers appear puffier than usual. In some cases, the entire finger — and not just an individual joint — may swell. This is known as dactylitis. Dactylitis results from severe inflammation.

Hand osteoarthritis is swelling and irritation -- called inflammation -- that causes pain and stiffness in the joints of your hands. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It happens when the connective tissue (cartilage) at the ends of your bones wears away. This causes your bones to rub together.