Question

Why do your fingers become puffy during hiking or exercising?

Answer 1

To prevent the swelling in keep your elbows bent when you walk rather than the normal "hanging swing" of the arms that most do. When you swing your arms it forces fluid into your fingers. When you rest for a while it is the same effect as if you put your feet up when they are swollen.

Answer 2

so if you have to hitch hike back, people will be able to see your thumbs better

Answer 3

Um, that has never happened to me or to four people I've just asked. While all the nice people gave good answers, I recommend that you mention it to your doc at your next visit. It is possible that it's an early warning of some problem in the circulatory system.. . It's funny how we think that if something happens to us, it must happen to everyone. I was surprised to learn that not everyone sheds tears when they yawn. When someone told me that sudden exposure to bright light makes them sneeze, I didn't believe them! Then I learned that it's quite common. It has NEVER happened to me.

Answer 4

From personal experience, I know the truth of what you speak. My educated guess would be that it has to do with veins and the expansion of veins due to increased oxygen intake which adds more oxygen to your bloodstream and thus more weight to your outer limbs and extremities like fingers and toes--causing them to swell at joints and where there are a lot of veins (like the hand).

Answer 5

Your blood is flowing thicker

Answer 6

More blood goes to your hands so that it can be cooled off quicker while exercising, since you get hotter when you exercise. That is also why you turn pink, the blood comes closer to the skin so it can be cooled off by the air so you don't overheat.

Answer 7

I believe it is because of the strenuous exercise. First, any exercise will get your blood pumping faster. Second, when you are getting overheated, that blood will try to get to the best place to cool down - extremeties. Because of the surface area in your limbs, and especially in your fingers, it is a prime place for blood to pump through to cool down a little.