As I stated, I suffer from Raynaud's Phenomenom but I should have also shared when my hands swell and get hot that is Erythromelalgia. I shared a pic with you all in an earlier post but as you can see it happens A LOT so I have PLENTY! As stated, below is I've given you some information on what Raynaud's is with some additional pics of my hands, I left my Fred Flinstone feet out of the collection.
What is Raynaud's Phenomenom (Syndrome)? *My super powers* Kidding!
Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs when the blood vessels that feed your fingers and toes constrict in reaction to cold or emotional stress (this event is called a vasospastic attack). Diverting blood flow away from the extremities to keep the body’s core warm is a normal reaction to extreme cold. However, in Raynaud’s phenomenon, the body reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes under relatively minor cold stress, such as holding a glass of ice water or being in an air-conditioned room. The same reaction can be triggered by emotional strain or excitement.
Raynaud’s phenomenon can occur on its own (called primary disease) or it can occur in the presence of another underlying disorder (called secondary disease), usually a connective tissue disease, such as lupus or scleroderma. Most people with Raynaud’s have the milder, primary form. Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon is not as common as the primary form, but it is often more complex and severe.
What are the effects?
The symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon can include:
The symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon can include:
Extreme sensitivity to cold
Body reacts to emotional stress as if it were reacting to cold
Skin color changes: Fingers and/or toes (and sometimes ears, lips, nose) turn white due to lack of blood flow (called pallor). The blood that’s left in the tissues loses its oxygen and the fingers turn blue (called cyanosis). Finally, the skin will turn red (called rubor) as fresh oxygenated blood returns to the fingers once the vessels open.
Coldness, pain and numbness: A lack of oxygenated blood in the fingers triggers feelings of coldness, pain and numbness – the sensation that the hands fingers have fallen asleep.
Warmth, tingling and throbbing: The quick return of blood to the fingers triggers feelings of warmth, tingling and throbbing, like when your hands “wake up” again.
Skin ulcers: If your Raynaud’s phenomenon is severe and your attacks tend to last a long time, you may get painful, slow-healing sores on the tips of your fingers.
Gangrene: In rare cases, a long-term lack of oxygen to the tissues can result in gangrene and amputation of the affected digit.
Body reacts to emotional stress as if it were reacting to cold
Skin color changes: Fingers and/or toes (and sometimes ears, lips, nose) turn white due to lack of blood flow (called pallor). The blood that’s left in the tissues loses its oxygen and the fingers turn blue (called cyanosis). Finally, the skin will turn red (called rubor) as fresh oxygenated blood returns to the fingers once the vessels open.
Coldness, pain and numbness: A lack of oxygenated blood in the fingers triggers feelings of coldness, pain and numbness – the sensation that the hands fingers have fallen asleep.
Warmth, tingling and throbbing: The quick return of blood to the fingers triggers feelings of warmth, tingling and throbbing, like when your hands “wake up” again.
Skin ulcers: If your Raynaud’s phenomenon is severe and your attacks tend to last a long time, you may get painful, slow-healing sores on the tips of your fingers.
Gangrene: In rare cases, a long-term lack of oxygen to the tissues can result in gangrene and amputation of the affected digit.
Who Gets Raynaud’s Phenomenon?
People of all ages can have Raynaud’s phenomenon. Raynaud’s phenomenon may run in families, but more research is needed.
People of all ages can have Raynaud’s phenomenon. Raynaud’s phenomenon may run in families, but more research is needed.
The primary form is the most common. It most often starts between age 15 and 25. It is most common in:
Women
People living in cold places.
People living in cold places.
The secondary form tends to start after age 35 to 40. It is most common in people with connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, and lupus. Other possible causes include:
Carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects nerves in the wrists
Blood vessel disease
Some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, migraines, or cancer
Some over-the-counter cold medicines
Some narcotics.
People with certain jobs may be more likely to get the secondary form:
Blood vessel disease
Some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, migraines, or cancer
Some over-the-counter cold medicines
Some narcotics.
People with certain jobs may be more likely to get the secondary form:
Workers who are around certain chemicals
People who use tools that vibrate, such as a jackhammer.
People who use tools that vibrate, such as a jackhammer.
How is it diagnosed?
Your primary care doctor can usually determine if you have Raynaud’s phenomenon simply by listening to you describe an attack. Determining whether the disorder is primary or secondary to an underlying disease may take some time and testing, however.
Your primary care doctor can usually determine if you have Raynaud’s phenomenon simply by listening to you describe an attack. Determining whether the disorder is primary or secondary to an underlying disease may take some time and testing, however.
What are the treatment options?
For most people with Raynaud’s phenomenon, a conservative approach not using medicines is sufficient to control attacks. For people with more severe attacks, medications can be added.
For most people with Raynaud’s phenomenon, a conservative approach not using medicines is sufficient to control attacks. For people with more severe attacks, medications can be added.
To shorten the length of an attack once it has started, try these tips:
Warm your hands or feet in warm (not hot) water.
Swing your arms in large circles to increase circulation.
Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation.
Avoid air conditioning.
Wear gloves to touch frozen or cold foods.
Wear many layers of loose clothing and a hat when it’s cold.
Use chemical warmers, such as small heating pouches that can be placed in pockets, mittens, boots, or shoes.
Talk to your doctor before exercising outside in cold weather.
Don’t smoke.
Avoid medicines that make symptoms worse.
Control stress.
Exercise regularly.
Swing your arms in large circles to increase circulation.
Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation.
Avoid air conditioning.
Wear gloves to touch frozen or cold foods.
Wear many layers of loose clothing and a hat when it’s cold.
Use chemical warmers, such as small heating pouches that can be placed in pockets, mittens, boots, or shoes.
Talk to your doctor before exercising outside in cold weather.
Don’t smoke.
Avoid medicines that make symptoms worse.
Control stress.
Exercise regularly.
Source - niams.nih.gov
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| I get an array of color configurations, sometimes three fingertips, two, one... |
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| The Raynaud's actually hurts REALLY bad! Well for me it does when it's cold outside. Sometimes the last three fingers lose feeling. |
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| Grocery store, they couldn't decide if they wanted to go with Raynaud's or Erythromelalgia. LOL! |
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