Do you feel like your hands are always cold, even though the rest of your body feels fine? While cold hands are normal when the air conditioner is on full blast or if it’s winter, if you feel like your hands are constantly cold and turning up the thermostat or putting on gloves doesn’t work, it may indicate a circulation problem.
If you frequently find that your fingers are numb, have pain in your hand, and a frequent icy sensation, the Cleveland Clinic says it may be caused by a lack of blood flow. In cold temperatures, it is a normal bodily response. It is also a standard response during fever, especially in children. When a child’s body fights off a virus, the blood reaches the infection, which can make the extremities cold. But in some cases, the response is not normal.
What is Raynaud’s Syndrome?
Feeling cold frequently can be caused by many different problems, including thyroid problems and anemia. However, if you notice that it only occurs in your hands or feet, it could be a phenomenon known as Raynaud’s syndrome. With this syndrome, the blood vessels in the hands constrict more than usual, limiting oxygen and blood flow.
You may also see a blue tinge under the nail bed, and other people notice their fingers turning white and numb. When the hands go back into circulation, they often feel burning and turn a bright shade of red. In other cases, less blood circulates to the knees, nose or toes, so this could also be a problem area for patients.
What causes Raynaud’s Syndrome?
This rare circulation problem is often genetic, but there are other factors to consider as well. Sometimes it’s a sign of another problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Other times, the phenomenon is triggered by chronic stress or too much time in extremely cold temperatures. Women are at higher risk of getting Raynaud’s than men.
Essentially, your arteries in your extremities narrow, briefly limiting your blood supply when you’re exposed to these temperatures or stressful situations. Over time, these tiny arteries tend to thicken, further limiting blood flow.
Identifying the cause on your own can be difficult, especially if you find yourself in a Google black hole. If your hands are constantly feeling cold, consider visiting your doctor to rule out other potential issues that could be causing the problem. Beyond that, keep layering when you go out, stay as active as possible, and de-stress with natural methods like exercising and eating right.
Diseases that are commonly linked to Raynaud’s disease often include connective tissue or autoimmune problems such as:
Lupus
blood disorders
Thyroid disorders
Rheumatoid arthritis
scleroderma
polymyositis
buerger’s disease
Sjogren’s syndrome
Pulmonary hypertension
There is primary Raynaud’s, which is the most common type and starts between the ages of 15 and 25, and secondary Raynaud’s. With the primary form, people usually do not develop related conditions, and sometimes it even resolves on its own. Secondary tends to be more severe and usually occurs around age 40.
What are the symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Fingers turn pale/white, then blue during cold, stressful, or emotional periods.
Color changes in your skin in response to stress/cold
3. You feel a throbbing pain or a numb/itching sensation when the stress is relieved or when your extremities finally warm up.
4. Hands turn red when they get hot.
5. Sores develop on the fingertips
Signs of risk of developing Raynaud’s
As with many medical problems, some people are more at risk than others.
if you smoke cigarettes
If you repeat repetitive actions such as typing or using vibrating tools
If you are taking a medicine that has certain side effects
Chemical exposure
Anyone with an autoimmune/connective tissue disease such as those listed above.
Those who live in very cold climates
Anyone with a family history.
How Raynaud’s is treated
This depends on a variety of factors, such as what form of the disorder you have, your symptoms, age, and general health. Although there is no official cure, there are treatments that allow it to be managed properly. These are some of the treatments that a professional can approach you with:
Avoid exposure to cold
Stay warm with hats, gloves, socks, and scarves.
Reduce or quit smoking
Wear finger guards if sores are a problem
Avoid the use of vibrating tools and any hand related trauma.
Blood pressure medications during certain seasons to reduce constriction of blood vessels.
