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Original poster

Dead white finger tips when really cold?

39 replies

RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 17/12/2010 11:41

This has happened a couple of times recently, not to all but to two or three fingers. It is also just at the ends, like the last joint to the finger tip.

I think its because they have just got very cold, and I have always had chilblains on a couple of toes since I was little. Maybe its a circulation thing?

I had it last night after DC school carols and as my fingers recovered you could see the blood flow restored so was so eeeuuuuwwwww it was fascinating! When they are like this, they feel like ice to me, but not if you touch them ( at least thats what DH said lats night)

I imagine prevention is the key here, I'm not sure what else could be done.

Does anyone else get this?!

OP posts:
walesblackbird · 17/12/2010 11:43

I get it. Just to the tips of my fingers when I'm very cold. Could be Reynauds?

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 17/12/2010 13:12

I did have a little look at google and it did suggest it was like Reynaulds, but you never know with google do you?!

Do you just do your best to avoid it?
ie prevent it I mean. Its just difficult at this time of year, esp when it is snowing and fffrrreeezzziiinnng

OP posts:
Butterbur · 17/12/2010 13:15

Sounds like Reynauds. Try some thick mittens, so that you can curl your fingers into the palm of hands if they get cold.

walesblackbird · 17/12/2010 14:20

I've never been able to avoid it - even wearing thick gloves. Putting my hands in warm - not hot - water helps me to regain the feeling.

TheNextMrsClaus · 17/12/2010 14:24

It's Reynauds. I have it, and every winter it gets a little worse - now I have to wear gloves the moment the temperature dips. Something as simple as touching a cold milk bottle can set it off.

Isn't it weird how it strikes random fingers, though?!

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 17/12/2010 14:26

Do you ever bother with those gel hand warmers?

I just rubbed them yesterday to warm them up, but I can see water would be quicker. It looks so peculiar doesn't it? DH was a bit Confused

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Iwasthefourthwiseman · 17/12/2010 14:27

Yep sounds like reynauds. I think there is a certain b vitamin that can help but I found it gave me palpatIons.

It seems to go when I am pg though so there is one solution Xmas Grin. But really you just have to try and avoid getting cold.

Dumbledoresfairy · 17/12/2010 14:31

I get this. Even walking round the supermarket picking things up in the refrigerated section is enough to make my finger tips feel very cold even if they don't actually go white.

Gloves don't tend to help me much. I have various heated hand warmers to use. Prevention is definitely easier than cure.

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 17/12/2010 22:02

Dumbledore... Now I have done a bit more reading on this I saw one girl who couldn't hold a cold drink inthe summer. That hopefully is extreme.

I had it today, it was -5 but I did have thick gloves on. One of the photos on reynaulds looklike their fingers are dip dyed. Quite extraordinary.

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NoahAndTheWhale · 17/12/2010 22:13

I have been getting this in the past couple of years. Last year got horrible chilblains that got infected but this year have been OK so far.

It often seems to be bit unexpected and only one or two fingers. Did have all the fingers on one hand going blue a couple of weeks ago though and that was very painful as they came back to life again.

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 17/12/2010 22:26

Like pins and needles? REally not nice.

I do have two chilblains that were so bad last winter, one of them is purple now. Infected chilblains sounds foul. What do you do to treat them?

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Dumbledoresfairy · 18/12/2010 09:29

Well, I have to say, the first time I got it was about 18 months ago, so in the summer. I didn't realise what it was at first. I was lying in bed (so was actually really warm Hmm) and felt my fingers going numb - really odd. The next time it happened was also in the summer but I was up a mountain. The air was quite cold that time, but I was boiling hot as I was walking uphill.

Since then, I have only been affected a few times, but, as I said in my earlier post, I definitely notice now that I cannot touch refrigerated (or frozen obviously) things without losing the sensation in my fingertips, though they don't usually go white (but then I am really careful about not letting them get that far gone).

So yes, I can imagine people not even being able to pick up a cold drink in summer, but yes I do think that is an extreme case. I think all you can do it be aware that you could be affected and try not to expose yourself to triggers.

Bearcat · 18/12/2010 16:15

This has recently started with my middle left finger. About 3 X in last 6 weeks. I just sit and rub the finger between the fingers ogf my other hand and yesterday warmed up the lavender wheat bag in the microwave and used that.

Trop · 18/12/2010 16:30

Definitely poor circulation, possibly Raynauds.

Ginger is supposed to be good for improving circulation so add plenty to your meals.

spiggy · 18/12/2010 16:39

I've had Raynauds all my life (genetic in our family) and last year DP bought me battery heated gloves and insoles for my boots- fabulous for the winter. They don't get very hot, just warm enough to keep the circulation going. You do need rechargable batteries though or it costs a fortune!

Ginkgo Biloba was recommended my my Dr to try and boost my circulation but I didn't notice a difference.

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 18/12/2010 16:42

I've just had a gingerbread latte - HTH!!

Funnily enough though, I had a lengthy snowball fight with DS and my hands did get very cold, but NO white fingers today, so its not consistent! Also I never seem to get it when we go skiing, but then I suppose I've got heavy duty gloves and socks on.

I like the sound of battery heated gloves and insoles though.Do you have an idea where they are from?

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SnowMuchToBits · 18/12/2010 16:46

I get it - it's usually the same two fingers that are affected. I often get it if I go swimming in the sea in Britain! In the summer (although I use that term loosely...)

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 18/12/2010 16:49

I was going to agree with TheNextMrsClaus - for me it is random fingers it seems

LOL at swimming in the sea in Britain in the summer, makes me go
ConfusedConfusedConfusedConfusedConfused
ConfusedConfusedConfusedConfusedConfused
ConfusedConfusedConfusedConfusedConfused

let alone have problems with white fingers!!

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SnowMuchToBits · 18/12/2010 16:52

Well, I'd rather be swimming somewhere warmer, but don't always have the choice! Xmas Grin

duchesse · 18/12/2010 16:52

Sounds like Reynauds to me.

spiggy · 18/12/2010 17:01

DP said he got the gloves etc from Maplin

These are the glovess www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=264171 Nice and warm and waterproof even without the batteries on.

These are the insoles www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=218156

Just spotted that they have heated waistcoats now...I might be amending my Chistmas list Xmas Grin

OhYouSnowySnowyKitten · 18/12/2010 17:04

heated bra would be good!

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 18/12/2010 17:05

Thank you Spiggy - that really is useful to know...

On one of my recent flicks on Google, it says you can get Reynaulds of your nose. That must be really uncomfortable and weird looking.

Blimeee Maplin could start making heated nose warmers!

OP posts:
SnowMuchToBits · 18/12/2010 17:07

Kitten - heated bra would be good for Coldtits! Xmas Grin

Original poster
RatherBeOnTheMulledWine · 18/12/2010 17:09

LOL

Xmas Grin Xmas Grin Xmas Grin Xmas Grin Xmas Grin

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