Crampy hands can make it hard to make a fist or bring your fingers together. This usually isn’t dangerous, but other symptoms may indicate an underlying condition that requires treatment.

Hand cramps can be extremely uncomfortable and either sporadic or chronic.

If you are able to determine the cause of your hand cramps, you’re more likely to be able to keep them from occurring in the future. The following are only a few of the possible reasons for hand cramps.

Magnesium is important for nerves, muscles, bones, heart rhythm, and blood pressure.

This mineral can restore muscle function, which may help with muscle cramps, including hand cramps, restless leg syndrome, and eye twitches. If you’re low on magnesium, you may also experience some of the following symptoms:

  • fatigue
  • PMS and menstrual cramps
  • headaches
  • asthma
  • decreased tolerance for exercise
  • insomnia
  • dizziness

Treatment

Increase magnesium intake by eating more leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains.

Talk with a healthcare professional about taking a magnesium (or magnesium and calcium) supplement. If you experience stomach upset, try magnesium chelate, which is easier to digest.

If you don’t drink enough water to offset the fluid you lose, you may become dehydrated.

Dehydration occurs when the body lacks enough water to function properly. It affects the functioning of the muscles and causes them to cramp.

While dehydration is more likely to occur in hot temperatures, you can develop dehydration without proper water intake in cold temperatures as well. Other symptoms of dehydration include:

  • unpleasant breath
  • fever and chills
  • dry skin
  • craving sweet foods
  • headaches

Treatment

For mild dehydration, drink water and a rehydration drink with electrolytes, such as Gatorade. You can also create your own rehydration drink with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 6 teaspoons of sugar, and 1 liter of water.

Severe dehydration is a medical emergency, and you should go to the emergency room.

Inadequate circulation happens when your body lacks sufficient blood flow.

Circulation sends blood, nutrients, and oxygen through your body. You may feel circulation issues in your hands, arms, and legs. You may also experience the following symptoms:

  • pain
  • tingling
  • numbness
  • stinging or throbbing pain

Treatment

Treatment involves smoking cessation, control of blood pressure and blood sugar, medications, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve that goes from the forearm to the palm is compressed. The nerve is inside the carpal tunnel, which comprises the flexor retinaculum, tendons, and the bone just below the hand.

The nerve can be compressed by increased pressure in the narrow passageway, inflammation, fluid retention, or other chronic conditions.

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you may experience hand cramps as well as the following symptoms:

  • burning or tingling in the palms and fingers
  • a swelling sensation
  • decreased grip strength
  • worsening symptoms upon waking

Other types of repetitive strain injuries, such as writer’s or musician’s cramps and sports-related injuries, can also cause hand cramps.

Treatment

Take frequent breaks, avoid activities that aggravate symptoms, and apply a cool pack. Your doctor may also suggest splinting, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, yoga, physical therapy, or surgery.

Stiff hand syndrome, also known as diabetic stiff hand syndrome and diabetic cheiroarthropathy, is a complication of diabetes in which thickening and waxiness of the hands begin to limit the movements of the fingers.

People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can experience hand cramps from stiff hand syndrome.

Researchers believe that this condition may be caused by an increase of glycosylation, in which sugar molecules attach to protein molecules. The increase causes the skin to increase in collagen.

Other symptoms of stiff hand syndrome include:

  • the inability to strengthen joints
  • stiffness in the little finger that eventually extends to the thumb
  • the inability to bring all fingers together
  • thick, waxy skin on the back of the hand

Treatment

Maintain proper blood glucose levels, and try exercises to strengthen the hand and keep it flexible, such as tossing a ball. Your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy.

RA can cause hand cramps, as well as cramping in other parts of the body.

This autoimmune disease attacks the joints, causing inflammation that makes the joint tissue thicken. In time, the joints can lose their mobility.

If you have RA, you may feel the cramps not just in your hands, but also in your feet, ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows. Joint inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis is usually symmetrical, meaning that if one hand is affected, the other usually is as well.

Treatment

Your doctor may want you to try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or surgery.

Kidney disease, or renal disease, occurs when the kidneys can’t remove waste from the body well enough or keep fluids balanced.

Due to fluid and electrolyte imbalances, blood flow issues, or nerve damage, kidney disease can cause cramps.

Cramps — especially leg cramps — are common for those with kidney disease. They are thought to be caused by imbalances in fluid and electrolytes, or by nerve damage or blood flow problems.

If you have this condition, you may also experience:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • fatigue and weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • swelling of the ankles and feet
  • sleep problems
  • brain fog
  • persistent itching

Treatment

Stretch the muscles in your hand, take a bath or hot shower, get a massage, and drink plenty of water.

Your doctor may prescribe various medications, depending on the underlying cause of your kidney problems.

Hand cramps aren’t serious when they occur infrequently. Sometimes a muscle spasm can happen if the hand is in an awkward position during sleep or if you handle something in a way that momentarily aggravates it.

However, if your hands cramp frequently or interfere with your life, be sure to talk with your doctor. Since hand cramps are a symptom, not a condition, the doctor can help you determine the cause and create a proper treatment plan.

General home remedies for hand cramps include stretching, swimming, strength-building exercises, increasing fluid intake, and taking vitamin D supplements.