If your carpal tunnel symptoms are only in one hand it is called “unilateral” Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Unilateral means on one side. I would guess that most often one-sided symptoms might happen from an accident or from stretching to reach a mouse or tool (which strains arm muscles and causes hand pain.)
But something else can cause unilateral carpal tunnel symptoms.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes there is a growth in the palm side of the hand. Anything that presses on the median nerve (the nerve that runs through the opening in your wrist called the carpal tunnel) can cause carpal tunnel symptoms.
The growth may be called a “mass” or a lipoma. It’s generally fatty tissue and wouldn’t be a problem at all unless it causes symptoms of pain, burning, numbness or tingling for you.
The connective tissue on your palm
is very tough and thick. That can prevent you or your doctor from being able to feel the mass. But if you have symptoms in only one hand and the other is perfectly normal, your doctor may look to see if anything is pressing on your median nerve and remove it surgically.
I found a professional medical article that stated “idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome usually” involves both hands. It says “carpal tunnel syndrome is usually idiopathic.”
The thing is: “idiopathic” means “no known cause.” If you read here much, you already know that there is a reason for everything. That includes carpal tunnel pain. There are lots of reasons. And you just may be able get rid of your carpal tunnel symptoms naturally most times.