Arthritis gloves, as the name indicates, are gloves specially designed to help ease the symptoms related to arthritis. Arthritis gloves may support circulation and manage tingling and pain in your hands. They function by lightly squeezing the veins in your hands to support healthy circulation. These gloves are made of firm and thick fiber-containing Lycra and cover everything from your mid-forearm to about ¾ of your fingers.
Arthritis gloves are extensively advised to people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of hand arthritis. They are recommended for daytime wear to reduce hand pain and improve hand functioning and night-time wear to reduce pain, improve sleep and lessen morning stiffness. Compression gloves are arthritis gloves that may help alleviate the pain and swelling by reducing fluid around the finger joints.
However, it is not known yet how much compression is needed in a glove to be useful, but it is best to avoid excessive compression, which may restrict blood flow.
Arthritis gloves are used for additional symptoms like sweaty hands or hand cramping. These gloves can make patients feel more relaxed and calm with reduced symptoms. Good quality arthritis gloves cost around 26 USD/pair if one buys them.
Benefits of Arthritis Gloves
Here are the five benefits of using arthritis gloves
1- Proper Circulation
Rheumatoid Arthritis has certain side effects: vasculitis, narrowing, and inflammation of the blood vessels. This may block blood flow to extremities such as arms and legs. If it happens, pain and impaired hand function can be the result. Arthritis gloves provide compression that may help to increase circulation; nevertheless, fit is critical to the therapeutic effect.
2- Pain relief
According to the arthritis foundation, pain is chronic when lasting more than three to six months. Sometimes it can and does last even longer, up to a lifetime. Some people are tempted to ignore or manage the pain as best as possible, but the best approach is to see a medical professional get an evaluation.
The Arthritis foundation described that a lot of people see chronic discomfort as completely unconventional, if the underlying issue is resolved, then the pain should also be mitigated. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, drugs are used to treat illness, but they would not completely relieve the pain or any other related symptoms.
Pain can stay even after the treatment of arthritis, making daily tasks such as driving more difficult. Arthritis gloves help to relieve chronic pain and allow the patients to navigate their lives. Thermal gloves warm the hand, make you feel comfortable, and even remove your pain. Other gloves that provide extra support are glove splints. These gloves provide pressure on aching fingers and hand joints.
3- Restoration to normal life
Rheumatoid arthritis cause difficulty in the performance of certain tasks such as gardening. Wearing fingerless arthritis gloves allows the tangibility required to perform routine business without any issue. These gloves should cover the joints in your fingers. If not, the potential to provide pain relief is mitigated.
4- Ease of use
The IMAK Arthritis gloves provide mild compression for warmth and help to increase circulation, which ultimately reduces and promotes healing. Georgia Tech Research Institute tested these gloves. They are the only arthritis gloves available in the market that the Arthritis Foundation recommends for ease of use.
These gloves are made of soft, breathable cotton material that is comfortable enough to wear all day and night. They make life easier for people suffering from arthritis and other physical limitations.
5- No side effects
The mildest medications can even cause unintentional consequences such as nausea or drowsiness. On the other hand, arthritis gloves do not have any adverse side effects, which is essential for people who can not afford potential ill impact.
Overall, Arthritis gloves improve grip strength, pinch strength, and ability to do daily activities, and reduce pain while waking and sleeping.
How to use Arthritis gloves?
Arthritis gloves work best when you follow the instructions of your doctor and physical therapists about how to use them. When using arthritis gloves, people should follow the instructions of manufacturers. Though, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends the following:
1- Dry hands before wearing Gloves
2- Wear the gloves for short periods until you get used to them
3- Make sure that they feel snug and not too tight. If they are too tight or too loose, there is less chance you will get any benefits from wearing them.
4- Wear gloves during sleep to help with swelling, pain, and stiffness.
5- Stick with the 8-hour rule maximum. If you wear the gloves only for an hour, you will probably not see any changes.
6- Do not wear arthritis gloves for 24 hours at a time. Put them on while performing tasks where you notice pain or swelling in your hands.
Furthermore, individuals should hand-wash their Arthritis gloves or use a washing machine on a gentle cycle. However, most compression gloves require dry cleaning.
People should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions while caring for and using Arthritis gloves. Gloves should be easy to pull on and off and should be easy to clean.
Bottom Line
Arthritis gloves are generally prescribed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and hand osteoarthritis in NHS to reduce swelling, ease pain, and improve the function of hands. They apply pressure to the hand, increasing hand blood flow and hand temperature. Sometimes these gloves are worn while sleeping to reduce hand stiffness in the mornings.
Arthritis gloves are suitable for use while performing everyday activities. While using arthritis gloves, people should always follow the instructions of manufacturers. In addition, people should consider which features they need such as a full-length or fingerless design or breathable material,