However, many other conditions also can be responsible for the symptoms of pain, swelling, numbness, or weakness in the hands, including diseases of the nerves located anywhere from the neck to the wrist. The pain and swelling in the hand joints and wrists caused by arthritis also can be responsible. Pain at the base of the thumb is commonly caused by osteoarthritis. Raynaud’s phenomena can cause numbness and burning of the fingers as a result of cold exposure and sometimes due to autoimmune diseases. Raynaud’s also causes fingers to have a whitish, bluish, or reddish color at various times; color changes are not seen in carpal tunnel syndrome.
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