Around 160 decorating-related injuries occur each day during the holiday season. Many involve the hands, because they play such an active role in chopping, hanging, and wrapping. Most injuries are minor, but some involve cuts or broken bones, which can result in serious hand trauma and require immediate treatment at the nearest hospital or urgent care center.
With these risks in mind, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. Our team at Woodlands Center for Special Surgery, in The Woodlands and Willis, Texas, specializes in treating hand and wrist injuries, including those that may arise during the holiday season.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common hand injuries we see during the holidays and our top tips to help you avoid them.
Cracking into packages from Amazon and other retailers is a holiday rite of passage, but getting through all that tape can be tricky. While it’s tempting to grab a sharp pair of scissors or box cutter and start hacking away, rushing increases your risk of injury. The same goes for prepping meals with a dull knife or one you aren’t familiar with using.
To reduce the risk of serious injury, work carefully. Always cut away from your body, wear protective gloves whenever possible, and go slow. Taking your time is safer than accidentally cutting yourself and needing medical attention.
Holiday meals often feature multiple dishes in piping hot pans, not to mention steaming beverages like coffee and cider. However, these hot items can burn your skin and cause spills if you don’t take proper precautions.
When removing anything from the oven, use pot holders or an oven mitt. Keep all pot handles turned inward on the stovetop to avoid knocking them over, and place hot drinks in a safe spot, away from high-traffic areas.
Hanging lights or holiday ornaments may not seem strenuous, but awkward reaching and bending can strain the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your hands and fingers, sometimes leading to or aggravating tendonitis or compressive neuropathies. Seasonal travel poses similar risks, as carrying a suitcase or lifting luggage into overhead bins can leave your hands and wrists sore.
Use necessary tools such as ladders to avoid overextending yourself, and practice good posture when lifting. During travel, choose luggage with wheels whenever possible and keep suitcase weight low for easier handling.
Outdoor activities like shoveling snow, raking leaves, and cleaning gutters involve tools such as shovels and rakes. Using any of these items for longer than 15 or 20 minutes can increase the risk of blisters and overuse injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
The good news is that you can often prevent these injuries. Wearing work gloves protects your skin, and taking regular breaks helps reduce strain. If your hands, fingers, or wrists start to feel sore, take a break for at least 15 minutes before resuming. This helps minimize damage caused by repetitive motions.
Snow is unusual in this part of Texas, but it can still get downright chilly. If you plan on spending time outdoors in frigid temperatures, protect your hands and fingers from the cold. Wear insulated gloves and take frequent breaks indoors to warm up. If your hands or fingers start feeling numb, warm them immediately.
These recommendations are especially important if you have arthritis, as cold weather can make symptoms even worse.
Hand and wrist injuries are common during the holidays, but taking the necessary precautions can significantly reduce your risk. If you’re recovering from a hand injury or simply want more guidance on caring for your hands, get in touch with our specialists today.
Contact Woodlands Center for Special Surgery by calling the office near you.
