Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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dxat59 01/13/2015

Has anyone had this happen? Whenever I touch anything cold, one or more of my fingertips will turn snow white down to the knuckle and get the pins and needles feeling. It's like I have frostbite. I have to put a heating pad or something really warm on it for a very long time to get the color and normal feeling back into it. This is very annoying when I have to handle frozen food when cooking. Seems like I have heard of this condition but can't think of the name for it.

Gentle hugs, Linda

Studini 01/13/2015

This has been happening almost daily now that it's winter. And it isn't just cold hands. I can get the rest of me warm but my fingertips will be burning and numb at the same time. It takes warm water or holding something warm for a long time for them to feel normal again. Gloves don't help much, it's like I'm not even wearing them. Now I'm curious what this might be called...

dxat59 01/13/2015

Do your fingertips turn ghost white?

Gentle hugs, Linda

dxat59 01/13/2015

I found it! It's called Raynauds Disease. And yes, the fingers do turn white. It also affects the toes.

Gentle, warm hugs, Linda

farmchickJo 01/13/2015

Just wanted to say my mother has this as well..affects her feet as well. As you said since winter arrived seems to be much worse. We use the heating pad or warm water to get things warmed up as well..i put those heat pads in her foot wear when she goes out and in her gloves as well..seems to help a little.

HCARD 01/13/2015

dx, just to weigh in here that is a serious disease. Don't let your extremities get cold at all if you can help it. Use pot holders or mittens to handle cold things, like you would if it was hot. During my time in medicine I saw many people lose toes or fingers. People have it to different degrees, just saying be careful.

dxat59 01/14/2015

HCARD, thanks for the warning!

Gentle hugs, Linda

brianap 01/14/2015

Raynaud's (sp?) syndrome.

deleted_user 01/14/2015

My doctor told me the same thing. I was told to wear gloves when ever I go outside or handler frozen food. It really makes a difference. I keep forgetting that I have this problem, until winter starts.

dxat59 01/14/2015

Yes, I've seen it listed as Raynaud's Disease, Syndrome and
Phenomenon.

Gentle hugs, Linda

mmthlvr 01/15/2015

I have secondary raynauds, hands & feet ice cold almost all the time. Sometimes it goes the other way, my hands & feet get hot & turn bright red. I found putting on gloves or extra socks makes them colder. If I try to warm them with a heating pad or blow dryer they get to hot. I wish I had answers for you but I don't. Would love to hear anyone else's suggestions.

Studini 01/15/2015

HCard, thanks for the tip. Makes sense to treat cold things as if they were hot. Yesterday my little finger on one hand was actually blue, like a bruise on the palm side. At least I figured out why they got that way. I grabbed one of the cold carts outside of the grocery store, and in less that ten minutes they had gone into the numb/burning category. I'll be looking for better gloves...and oven mitts!!

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