Assaults can be triggered by surprisingly delicate circumstances—I’ve even had one occur whereas stress-free in a breezy, shady campsite after a balmy summer season hike. The assaults, after I get them, should not painful, and mine usually subside inside 5 or 10 minutes or so if I take steps to heat up my arms.
To study extra about Raynaud’s, I spoke with a doctor who treats many Raynaud’s victims in her apply. Gurpreet Rawat, MD, is a rheumatologist at Kaiser Permanente Medical Heart in Bellevue, Wash. An REI Co-op Member since 2013, Dr. Rawat additionally has the situation herself. She supplies the knowledge under about Raynaud’s and shares her recommendation on methods to handle this situation.
What’s Raynaud’s?
Raynaud’s (syndrome or phenomenon or illness—you choose) is a persistent situation the place, for unknown causes, arteries in your extremities abruptly constrict. It impacts at the very least 5% of the inhabitants. Raynaud’s signs are easy and differ in severity from individual to individual:
- Your fingertips and/or toes (extremities differ and may also embrace the nostril or ears) flip white initially and may also flip purple or blue after a number of minutes.
- Affected areas generally additionally turn out to be numb or ache.
- When it subsides (as affected arteries open up abruptly and blood floods again in), your pores and skin turns vibrant pink and may need a quick burning sensation.
How does frostbite differ from Raynaud’s?
Whereas preliminary signs like numbness and white or blue fingers are comparable, with frostbite the pores and skin could have a tough, waxy texture. With Raynaud’s, pores and skin texture stays unchanged. Frostbitten fingers may also have a yellowish grey look.
A key distinction from frostbite is that Raynaud’s is a situation that occurs repeatedly, so that you’re more likely to discover it previous to your being in severely chilly circumstances. In the event you’re out within the chilly and uncertain whether or not you’ve gotten Raynaud’s or frostbite, the prudent method is to imagine you’ve gotten frostbite and deal with it accordingly. The important thing remedy distinction for frostbite is to keep away from rubbing the tissue or utilizing sizzling water as a result of these techniques could cause harm. (Gradual warming methods will work for each circumstances.)
Word, too, that earlier frostbite episodes could make it extra possible that you’ll develop Raynaud’s sooner or later.
What you are able to do to handle Raynaud’s
In the event you suspect you may need Raynaud’s, step one is to speak to your physician. Having Raynaud’s doesn’t imply you must quit outside actions. Not surprisingly, most of what you’ve discovered about cold-weather concerns outdoors applies to stopping or lessening the severity of a Raynaud’s episode. Dr. Rawat presents the methods under for managing the situation whereas nonetheless getting outdoors:
- Layer up effectively earlier than you head out into the chilly (and err on the aspect of extra insulation when selecting these layers).
- Cowl every part and go along with gear that provides extra heat and protection—mittens fairly than gloves or a beanie as an alternative of ear heaters, for instance. (Some victims consider electronically heated gloves and mittens as “Raynaud’s syndrome gloves.”)
- Use handwarmer and footwarmer packets, and put them in earlier than heading outside.
- Keep away from over-venting and cooling off too rapidly whenever you work up a sweat as a result of temperature adjustments are a key set off. A sudden rush of chilly air can really feel good initially, however it may also deliver on a Raynaud’s episode after that.
Different methods for minimizing the size and severity of a Raynaud’s assault embrace:
- Inserting arms below the armpits
- Operating heat water or heat air over arms
- Wind-milling your arms or flicking your wrists as if you’re throwing a disc
- Ingesting a heat beverage
- Leisure and mindfulness methods, as a result of stress may set off or worsen an assault
You’ll in the end discover that sure approaches work higher for you than others. Through the years, I’ve discovered to handle the situation in order that I can nonetheless take pleasure in my time outdoors. On backpacking journeys, for instance, I all the time attempt to have a sizzling meal early within the night. Throughout winter, my most prized cross nation ski gear is a pair of gloves that seem like they have been designed for an Everest expedition. Heat is an excellent factor, in recollections—and in your gear.
The submit Numb Fingers and Toes? It’s Not Frostbite, But Raynaud’s Can Still Be a Pain to Deal With appeared first on Uncommon Path – An REI Co-op Publication.
