Raynaud’s Disease – Why Your Fingers Are Always Cold and What to Do About It

Ever found yourself with cold hands for no apparent reason? Sure, during the chiller months this can be common, but does it also happen when it’s not that cold? Perhaps even under stressful situations? If yes, then Raynaud’s disease, also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, might be at play here. Our article today will be focused on Raynaud’s disease, what it is, how to detect its presence in the body and what you can do to address its symptoms. Let’s jump right in before our hands freeze again!

What is Raynaud’s disease?

Let us first establish an understanding about Raynaud’s disease. Simply put, Raynaud’s disease is a condition which impacts the blood flow across certain body parts, most commonly the extremities such as the finger and toes. But internally, what is at play? What happens is that the arteries which supply blood to these parts of the body, better known as arterioles, tend to shrink in response to the cold or in response to stress. It is this that  causes the cold hands and fingers that we often experience during winters or under stressful situations at times.

Different types of Raynaud’s phenomenon

Continuing the premise, Raynaud’s disease occurs majorly in two types – primary Raynaud’s and secondary Raynaud’s. Primary Raynaud’s is one of the most commonly observed types of this disease, which often goes away over time. The exact trigger or origin of this remains unknown. But thankfully, as the symptoms are often mild, most people don’t even realise its presence, let alone seek treatment. Primary Raynaud’s is not linked to any underlying medical condition and is often diagnosed as extra sensitivity of blood vessels to cold and stress.

Secondary Raynaud’s, on the other hand, may have similar symptoms but is the result of an underlying health condition. It could be related to connective tissues, blood vessel diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome and many more. Secondary Raynaud’s can also be a result of certain lifestyle habits and medications such as smoking, repetition of certain activities like typing, hammering, playing an instrument, the result of a frost bite, wrist fractures or the usage of beta blockers, ADHD medication, and even some cancer drugs. If you have secondary Raynaud’s you may need treatment to address the underlying cause.

But isn’t it normal for hands to get cold under such conditions? How can you tell the difference between just being cold and the presence of Raynaud’s disease?

Do you have Raynaud’s disease? Common symptoms

Understanding the most common symptoms for Raynaud’s disease can be helpful. This can act as the first signs of the condition, allowing for early prevention and care. 

• Cold fingers or toes (or both)
• Changing of skin colour (from white to blue then red)
• Feelings of tingliness, prickliness or numbness
• Pain or severe warmth upon touch

These symptoms can wreak havoc on daily life. It is important to remember that if you experience these symptoms regularly, seeking medical assistance from a rheumatologist can be beneficial.

Treatment for Raynaud’s disease

Talking about medical assistance, it is also important to discuss a bit about the available treatment options for Raynaud’s disease.  For starters, lifestyle changes can be really helpful in offsetting the triggers for this condition. Lifestyle changes are easy to make and are in your control. Simple things such as keeping yourself warm by using techniques such as layering, using gloves, hand warmers and fuzzy socks when it’s cold can be your first line of defense. You can also take steps to limit caffeine and nicotine intake (as both of these narrow the blood vessels), practice mindfulness exercises to help reduce stress, and avoid direct contact with cooling appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators, to get a better grip of this condition. We also suggest avoiding carrying cold items in the supermarket by using a basket. A small but practical tip!

In addition to lifestyle changes, another thing that can be done as an extension to this, is to include more exercise in your daily routine. Multiple studies have shown that exercising regularly can improve blood circulation in the body, which is crucial for such a condition. What’s even better is that once you start exercising, your body temperature also rises, thus causing you to break a sweat and feel warm. 

However, if your symptoms are not easily managed through lifestyle changes alone, or you are concerned you have secondary Raynaud’s, consulting a rheumatologist in London can be of help. A rheumatologist can help you in treating this issue from the core, by providing you with an accurate diagnosis and actionable treatment plan. To put things in perspective, a rheumatologist can differentiate between the types of Raynaud’s disease (primary or secondary), further diagnose any underlying medical conditions such as lupus or arthritis, interpret your scans and tests results and further create a bespoke treatment plan – that suits your lifestyle and individual circumstances. 

For individuals with moderate to severe symptoms, your treatment plan may include medication such as losartan and prostaglandins (improve blood circulation), advanced tests such as nailfold capillaroscopy (test for assessing blood vessels under fingernails) and although rare, treatment options could include nerve surgery, microvascular surgery and chemical injections to get relief from this disease. A rheumatologist is specially trained in this area and they help you in making informed choices about your health.

It’s time to beat the cold

While a condition such as Raynaud’s disease is often overlooked (due to its common overlapping symptoms with normal cold), living with its symptoms is not easy. Cold, painful fingers and toes can severely impair your ability to complete simple tasks, which can impact your overall quality of life and even your mental health. Thankfully, with the right guidance from medical experts, you can get back the life you deserve!