Raynaud's is a temporary spasm of the small arteries that feed the fingers. Cold, a chilly air-conditioned room, reaching into the freezer, or emotional stress can trigger it. The fingers typically turn white, then blue, then red as blood flow returns. Primary Raynaud's is more common and generally benign; secondary Raynaud's is linked to conditions such as scleroderma, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or to years of vibrating tools.
Warning signs
- Fingers that turn white, then blue, then red with cold or stress
- Cold, numb or painful fingers during an attack
- Tingling or burning as color returns
- Thumb involvement or symptoms in only one hand
- Sores at the fingertips, pitted scars, or tight, thickened skin
Treatment
Diagnosis is based mostly on the color changes, so photos of an attack taken at home help a lot. Most people do well with keeping the whole body and hands warm, stopping tobacco, managing stress, and reviewing medications with the prescribing doctor. Calcium channel blockers are the usual first-line medicine. For severe cases with sores or tissue at risk, a microsurgical procedure called digital sympathectomy is an option.
Find this post on: Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
Questions patients ask
What is Raynaud's phenomenon?
Raynaud's is a temporary spasm of the small arteries that feed the fingers. Cold, a chilly air-conditioned room, reaching into the freezer, or emotional stress can trigger it. The fingers typically turn white, then blue, then red as blood flow returns. Primary Raynaud's is more common and generally benign; secondary Raynaud's is linked to conditions such as scleroderma, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or to years of vibrating tools.
What are the warning signs of Raynaud's phenomenon?
Fingers that turn white, then blue, then red with cold or stress. Cold, numb or painful fingers during an attack. Tingling or burning as color returns. Thumb involvement or symptoms in only one hand. Sores at the fingertips, pitted scars, or tight, thickened skin.
How is Raynaud's phenomenon treated?
Diagnosis is based mostly on the color changes, so photos of an attack taken at home help a lot. Most people do well with keeping the whole body and hands warm, stopping tobacco, managing stress, and reviewing medications with the prescribing doctor. Calcium channel blockers are the usual first-line medicine. For severe cases with sores or tissue at risk, a microsurgical procedure called digital sympathectomy is an option.
Who treats Raynaud's phenomenon near Southlake and Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dr. Pedro Loredo, a board-certified hand surgeon (General Surgery, American Board of Surgery; Hand Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery) at Loredo Hand Care Institute, 431 E State Hwy 114, Suite 380, Southlake, TX. New patients are seen within days. Call (972) 939-4974. Se habla español.
En español: Volvió el frío. ¿Se le ponen blancos los dedos?
El fenómeno de Raynaud es un espasmo pasajero de las arterias pequeñas que llevan sangre a los dedos. El frío, un cuarto con aire acondicionado, meter la mano al congelador o el estrés emocional pueden provocarlo. Los dedos suelen ponerse blancos, luego azules y luego rojos cuando regresa la sangre. El Raynaud primario es el más común y por lo general es benigno; el secundario se asocia a enfermedades como la esclerodermia, el lupus o la artritis reumatoide, o a años de usar herramientas que vibran.
Señales de alerta
- Dedos que se ponen blancos, luego azules y luego rojos con el frío o el estrés
- Dedos fríos, dormidos o con dolor durante el ataque
- Hormigueo o ardor cuando regresa el color
- Que afecte el pulgar o solo una mano
- Llagas en las puntas de los dedos, cicatrices en forma de hoyito o piel tensa y gruesa
Tratamiento
El diagnóstico se basa sobre todo en los cambios de color, por eso ayudan mucho las fotos de un ataque tomadas en casa. A la mayoría le va bien manteniendo caliente todo el cuerpo y las manos, dejando el tabaco, manejando el estrés y revisando sus medicamentos con el médico que los receta. Los bloqueadores de los canales de calcio son el medicamento habitual de primera línea. En casos severos con llagas o tejido en riesgo, una cirugía microscópica llamada simpatectomía digital es una opción.
If this sounds like your hand
Call Loredo Hand Care Institute or start your forms online. New patients are seen within days; surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening. Se habla español.