Possible Reynaud's syndrome?

[OccasionalNachos]

Recently my left index finger has been going white and numb. It comes on slowly but returns to normal quite quickly once I have taken steps to warm it up. However, the initial onset isn't always related to being cold. It started happening occasionally about a month ago but for the past week it's happened a couple of times a day. Managed to capture a photo quickly one time as it was getting back to normal.

It isn't painful, but I am not sure what is causing it & Googling is not helping because it's only one finger - Reynauds phenomenon seems to always affect at least a few fingers. I am also confused because it happens indoors a lot and isn't triggered by cold.

I don't particularly want to waste a GP's time as it's not painful and resolves quickly, but I would be interested in hearing from anyone who definitely has reynauds to see if the one finger thing is unusual!

[MollyHuaCha]

No experience here, but it looks worthy of a dr visit. Hope it gets better soon.

[Sittingunderafrostysky]

I have Reynaud's and it usually starts in one finger. It isn't always brought on by cold, but a change in temperature - so it can he relatively mild temperature, but I hold a steering wheel which is colder than my body temperature and it starts.

[lljkk]

The treatment for mild RS is all stuff you do yourself.

My fingers can do that if I'm cold. So I do the things on that NHS link & it goes away.

[MyCatIsABiggerBastardThanYours]

I have Reynauds and my fingers do go like that. But not just one of them (although not always all of them).

Keeping warm is the only answer.

I would suggest if it gets worse you get it checked out by the GP

[Secretspillernamechange]

My fingers do that, I self-diagnosed with Raynauds and haven't bothered seeing a doctor. Agree with pp it's not necessarily the absolute temperature, car steering wheels and bike handle bars are some of the worst, and wind/rain even if it's fairly mild.

[SisterMoonshine]

I get it from the cold. Years ago it was just one finger - now it's more. I've never seen a doctor about it either. I've recently packed in smoking a
and am hoping improved circulation will help.
There's also something about it being caused by vibration.

[missmapp]

I have Raynaud's and my fingers go like that. When they are white and numb they don't hurt but when purple they are V painful. I where gloves when we outside and when they go white/ purple do the quick handshake thing to bring them back to life.

[PositiveAttitude]

I have it in just one finger and it goes just like that. It normally takes me quite some time to get it to come back to normal again. For me a major trigger is the cold, so I try everything I can to not allow my fingers to get cold.

[Cloudhopping]

Yes I have this too. Just one finger can be affected but often it's more. The cold triggers it but I also get it when I get very nervous.

[Jellykat]

I too have Raynauds, my fingers go blue/black really quickly once it gets cold. In severe cases, my fingers swell up, to the point where 2 years ago, i had to hacksaw all my rings off..

Once the Raynauds is triggered, heat (such as washing up) can also make them worse, and even the slightest knock can make them swell. In the Summer i can get 'white finger' from vibration such as using a lawnmower, which is what SisterMoonshine is referring to...

Your finger looks like Raynauds to me OP, particularly as it's red below the white, and the fingertip next to it looks red too, they both look slightly puffy too.

[Cloudhopping]

The other thing to consider is whether you've ever worked with vibrating tools as this can cause it?

[Catzpyjamas]

I was prescribed a medication intended to treat high blood pressure for Raynaud's Phenomenon. It definitely helps. My symptoms started with just one finger but over time it spread to most of my fingers.

[TooMinty]

Looks like mine when I get it - and yes, can be just one finger and I also get it in mild temperatures but if I touch something colder or carry a bag that restricts blood flow to my fingers.

[TooMinty]

How old are you and when did this start happening?

[Gonzales27]

I'm self diagnosed reynauds too.

Had it for over 10 yrs but it's definitely got worse since having kids, although is maybe just more noticeable as it now goes alongside carpal tunnel which never went away from pregnancy.

I've recently started to get it in my toes too.

It's really annoying but doesn't stop me doing anything and is a cool party trick (my dead white fingers) particularIy if I ever go to the pub straight after a jog.

[WeShouldOpenABar]

Yep looks like mine steering wheels are the worst for me but the absolute peak was two winters ago when my nipples joined in, had to stick hand warmers in my bra

[Waitingfordolly]

Looks like my Raynauds too. I sometimes get it chopping vegetables from the fridge!

[AstridLevinson]

Another Raynauds here- i have nifedipine- worst thing so far has been Raynauds of nipple as current bf!

[AstridLevinson]

Oh handwarmers? Great idea, cross post re the nipples!

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

I find that I get it indoors when my wrists are exposed, so keeping them covered up with extra long sleeves or wrist warmers helps a lot.

Just make sure if you start to get it in your feet that you have good quality boots - I ended up getting really bad chilblains one year due to Reynauds and they took months to go and hurt like hell.

[ManaFleet]

Please get it checked out, for peace of mind if nothing else. My mum has Reynaulds and this is exactly how it started. Good luck

[Atenco]

I've had that since I was twelve, but I never get it here in Mexico, where it does get very cold, but I think it is the combination of damp and cold that must trigger it in my case.

[sweetkitty]

Does anyone with Raynauds have a near constant freezing cold nose?

[OccasionalNachos]

Thanks for responses, good to hear that others are able to self-care adequately. I just don't want my finger to fall off

Not getting it in toes, or nipples thankfully but will be sure to keep an eye on things. I am usually in sensible footwear and thick socks anyway, even in warmer months, so my feet will hopefully be OK.

I don't think it's vibration white finger. I do knit which can put pressure on the fingers, but it doesn't seem linked to that.

Minty I am 31 & it started about a month ago. I don't smoke or have any blood pressure issues. BP last checked a few weeks ago.

[Floralnomad]

I got my raynauds diagnosis when I was 18 , the severity has been up and down over the years , with the worse being when I had frostbite when I was 20 , fortunately I didn't actually lose any fingers just the nails and I do have reduced sensation in my fingers as a result . Nifedipine never had any effect on mine and as I have a very low bp I stopped taking it and find prevention is the way to go . I would say my feet are probably worse than my hands now .