Do your fingers turn white and purple in cold weather? Don't ignore it, it may be "Raynaud's phenomenon"

Many people have experienced their fingers being frozen in the cold wind. Some people's fingers even turn pale when blown by the cold wind, and then turn red and purple. This may be a disease that is easily overlooked.

Recently, an 11-year-old girl named Xiaodan was hospitalized in the Pediatric Department of Hunan Medical University General Hospital for treatment because her fingers suddenly became red and purple and swollen and painful for a week. After careful examination and discussion by multiple doctors, she was finally diagnosed with "Raynaud's phenomenon". After targeted treatments such as warming, the child recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

1. What is Raynaud’s phenomenon?

(▲"Raynaud's phenomenon" hand signs)

"Raynaud's phenomenon", also known as intermittent changes in finger skin color, extremity artery spasm, etc., refers to an excessive vascular reaction that occurs when the patient is exposed to a cold environment or is emotionally nervous and excited.

The principle is that the small arteries at the extremities spasm, which in turn leads to obstruction of blood circulation, so the skin of the fingers or toes suddenly turns white, and then the skin becomes flushed and cyanotic, accompanied by numbness and pain. Severe "Raynaud's phenomenon" is prone to complications such as extremity ulcers and gangrene.

In most cases, Raynaud's phenomenon does not occur alone. If your fingers also experience changes from white to purple after being exposed to cold, you must pay attention to the possibility of Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's phenomenon is divided into primary and secondary, the latter being more common.

Primary Raynaud's phenomenon, also known as Raynaud's disease, is common in women aged 20 to 40 in cold regions. Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is generally caused by other diseases, the most common of which are rheumatic and immune diseases, such as scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

2. How to treat Raynaud’s phenomenon?

1. Whether it is primary or secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, the most basic and effective treatment is to keep warm and avoid cold as much as possible. While keeping the whole body warm, pay attention to the protection of the extremities, such as wearing gloves and warm socks.

2. Actively exercise, do more health exercises, jogging and other exercises. You can also pat and rub your hands, shake your hands and pat your arms, or massage from the fingertips to the back of the hands and then to the shoulders, once in the morning, noon and evening, each time lasting 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Emotional regulation and psychotherapy are equally important. A calm mindset can reduce the frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Raynaud's phenomenon with mild symptoms generally does not require drug treatment and can be relieved by keeping warm. However, if keeping warm does not relieve the symptoms, you can also choose to use drug treatment under the guidance of a doctor. For secondary Raynaud's phenomenon with a clear cause, the primary disease needs to be actively treated. For example, scleroderma and dermatomyositis require the use of immunosuppressants.

Doctors at the Hunan Medical University General Hospital remind us that when our fingers become cold and turn from white to purple, we must pay attention, seek medical attention in time for early examination, and avoid physical harm as much as possible.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Chen Ying and Peng Lixin, Department of General Pediatrics, Hunan Medical College General Hospital

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(Edited by ZS)