Cold Fingers and Toes

[Kevin]

After numerous on/off trail discussions with many different folks, I've concluded that I suffer from Raynaud's disease. My fingers even look like the ones depicted in their picture (attached below).

What happens, even around the house, is that a few of my fingers or toes will suddenly become cold (even to the touch) and after a little while kinda go numb. Usually warming them up helps, and wearing gloves/socks helps prevent the problem from occurring. It's really noticeable when hiking in the winter. I don't even think of spending more than a few hours outside when it's below 40F without hand warmers. Usually I can get away with thich smartwool socks to keep my feet warm. Only problem is that once cold the finger(s) or toe(s) hurt when warmed back up, kinda like what it feels like when you have frostbite.

Unfortunately there isn't much I can do that I haven't already been doing, but if the condition persists I may need to have it looked at by a doctor.

I know I'm not alone and thought my little self discovery may prove helpful to someone else.

[windsong781]

Kevin, here are some links that may be helpful in researching alternative therapies for Raynaud's. I hope you find something that helps. Good luck and stay warm.

http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hc/resourceareas_supp/1,1442,549,00.html

http://www.kroger.com/hn/Concern/Raynauds_Disease.htm

http://www.uhseast.com/149776.cfm

Windsong

[Kevin]

Wow, thanks windsong - some of the vitamin options may be worth exploring .

Here's another link someone just PM'ed me...

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/raynaud/ar125fs.htm

[Neil]

I have the same problem in one finger (better than both hands) and I blame it on the Adirondacks! I have had freezing cold, wet hands and just ignored them knowing they would get warm eventually when my blood started pumping again. That was a mistake and now my finger is cold most of the time.

I once had a big toe remain white and numb for months, even in hot baths, because of freezing it so bad.

For anybody reading this: the best treatment is prevention. When your hands get really cold, stop and do something about it ASAP. If it's going to be real cold use toe warmers, warm boots, vapour barrier socks...whatever it takes.

If you want to see something disgusting google Raynaud's under Images.

[Skyclimber]

A friend of mine, has this and he always carried a hand muff with a gas heater inside to warm his hands up when cold. Now he still uses the hand muff but just puts hand warmers inside it now. It is scarey.

[MattC]

[QUOTE=Neil]For anybody reading this: the best treatment is prevention. When your hands get really cold, stop and do something about it ASAP. [QUOTE]

Indeed. I dodged a bullet on Marcy a couple weeks ago. We were on the summit in fairly strong winds and I made the stupid mistake of beginning to descend w/o my mittens on. My mitts were in my pack and I had two beat-up old layers on my hands, neither of which blocked the wind worth a damn. Within minutes, my fingers started going numb. It wasn't so easy to drop my pack and get the mitts due to the winds, so I was about to ask a friend to reach in my pack for them, when all of a sudden another guy that was with us gave me his big ol' bomber mitts to warm my hands. I wore them for less than ten minutes and they did the trick. It was all over in a matter of minutes, and I had no pain, swelling or discoloration, so I lucked out. Lesson learned.

Anyhow, Kevin, have you tried VBLs? You might want to check out this company:

http://www.rbhdesigns.com/

I used their insulated liner sock all winter and liked it a lot.

Matt

[dog]

There is possible prophylactic : https://www.basecampmd.com/story/Ano...Jul22006.shtml .

Not all side effects are bad !

Nice site , by the way . I go there some times as to a theater or museum .