I wait until my flair up pass, then I do hand and finger exercise.

Look into paraffin wax treatment you can do at home.

I had a flare up in my wrists which lasted much too long. It also affected my hands, although my rheumatologist insists that my hands have OA, not RA. I could not rip a Splenda packet open for my coffee. I could not open bottles or eat without holding the fork like a toddler would. Warm water was soothing - washing dishes was therpuetic. Every day I used my lap top keyboard to keep mobility in my hands. I started back on methotrexate last November and within a month the wrist pain subsided and I have strength in my hands again. Some people don't tolerate that drug well, but it helped me. I used to use muscle rub on my wrists at night also.

My husband bought a Paraffin Dipping Pot like they use when you get a manicure at some -places....it feels really good to dip my hand all the way up to my wrist about 3/4 times. It holds the heat of it in and feels really good in addition to softening the skin..

Yes hot water and I also use a thin heating pad that I can wrap around my hands and wrists.