The legs and hands go numb in the cold? How to know if it is that of Raynaud

Frozen fingers on the bone?

It is normal to be colder in winter – but what is not normal is the extremities that grow so cold that they are numb and turn white.

Fortunately, it could be very good to be a generally harmless condition called Raynaud’s syndrome, but it is important to know the difference between Raynaud and Frostbite, and when you see a doctor.

What is that of Raynaud?

Raynaud’s syndrome, or Raynaud’s phenomenon, is “an excessive reaction to the normal symptoms caused by the cold”, Dr. Anca Askanas, a rheumatologist at the Columbia University Medical Center, explained to The Post.

People with the experience of Raynaud “Extreme” by narrowing and closing the blood vessels in the fingers or fingers, which stops the blood flow to them. This turns those fingers and white fingers and then blue. It also makes them feel numb and can be prickly or painful.

This can happen when it is not even especially cold, so the “excessive reaction” – people often feel numb and see staining quickly when temperatures fall.

It is more common in women than men, with the onset of symptoms that usually occur before the age of 30 years. However, the secondary of Raynaud – which can be caused by another condition or a drug – can start later.

How do you know if it is raynaud or the beginning of frosts?

It may be scary not to feel your fingers or fingers and see them go blue – but it does not mean you need to panic and rush into the ER.

Raynaud can also occur with mild cold exposure, explained askanase, while Frostbite is always due to extreme colds and is associated with tissue damage.

People with the experience of raynaud symptoms often when they are cold – so if it happens a lot, you probably don’t have to worry about getting frostbite.

And although the initial symptoms are similar, the skin of the frost areas becomes difficult and wax, while the texture of the skin remains the same as raynaud.

The condition also does not usually cause long -term damage as long as you take care to warm up. Continuous exposure to the cold as your fingers have already gone numb is not a great idea.

“It is reversible after heat. When it wakes up, it can cause wounds and tissue loss and, rarely, the finger gangrene, “Askanas said.

What is the best way to heat the fingers and fingers they have numb?

It is better to minimize your exposure to the cold in the first place, but if you are already numb, it may take a few minutes or up to a few hours for the symptoms to be cleaned on your own after being in a warmer place.

To speed up things up, ASKANASA suggests running warm water over the numb area until it begins to turn pink or red and feel.

Just be careful not to get too hot: a temperature you may like while feeling well can burn and cause pain when you are numb.

When should you see a doctor?

ASKANASE advises making an appointment to be diagnosed and exclude diseases associated with secondary raynaud, such as scleroderma and lupus.

Can you do to have symptoms less often?

Some useful management tips for less Raynaud flames include:

• Limiting exposure to cold. When you can’t avoid going out, wear warm gloves and extra socks. Folding hand heaters can also help.
• Keep it dry. Slow flow into your boots and the melting of snow on woven gloves can speed up the process.
• Take a little move to improve circulation.
• Avoid stress, which can worsen raynaud and even make it happen in the first place.