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| hands infected by Raynaud's disease |
Cold, your fingers turn white and then red suddenly.
You may be suffering from Raynaud's disease, a common condition that affects mostly women.
It is characterized by a spasm of blood vessels in the extremities (hands or feet, nose, ...).
A phenomenon generally impressive but Benin and solutions exist for relief.
This file will give you the keys to understanding the disease.
You will also discover the different treatment options and our practical advice to improve your comfort.
And finally, an interview with a specialist vessels, and the testimony of a patient.
Raynaud's disease usually begins in adolescence and particularly affects women.
The cause?
In 95% of cases ... we do not know.
But the condition is benign.
It can last a lifetime or more years and then suddenly disappear, for example during pregnancy.
Identify the causes ...
However, the remaining 5% are proving more problematic:
Raynaud's phenomenon can then be a manifestation of a more serious disease such as scleroderma
(an impairment of the skin characterized by hardening) or lupus.
Among the predisposing factors, there are cigarettes, cannabis and that working outside or in contact with the cold.
Butchers and gardeners are more likely to have Raynaud's disease that computer!
Temperature changes
White fingers cold, purple fingers cold, cold blue fingers
Needless to spend his vacation in Siberia to experience Raynaud's phenomenon. Just a temperature difference of only a few degrees to the trigger.
This can occur even in the summer, plunging his hands into a pool at 21 ° C for one day in August when the temperature rises to 28 ° C.
Spasm is then created in the capillaries of the skin. Vessels contract sharply causing discoloration of hands: they whiten.
Then a few seconds later, they dilate and the skin reddens.
Its color may change to violet even if the crisis persists.
All extremities may be affected by this phenomenon.
Hands, feet, but the nose, ears, cheeks and nipples.
Medical tests
Vascular disorder: risk occupations
The symptoms are easily recognizable.
The description that you make to the doctor will be decisive for the diagnosis of the disease.
The GP will also look at your profession.
The people who use vibrating equipment (jackhammer, chainsaw) may develop Raynaud's phenomenon or artery occlusion hands.
Then it is an occupational disease.
Last thing, the doctor will inquire about your treatment.
Some drugs, such as beta blockers (to treat hypertension) promote the phenomenon.
He then practiced clinical examination to confirm the diagnosis.
In particular, it will engage in Allen's test to verify that the spasm characteristic of the disease is not due, in reality, a defective artery.
It is to compress the radial and ulnar artery (in the wrist) and then ask the patient to open and close the hand until it fades.
The doctor then releases the pressure and observe the "refill" of the hand. If a finger is white and recolors slower than others, it is a sign that an artery is malfunctioning.
Additional checks
Capillaroscopy: a review of vessels
Additional tests may be needed to confirm or refute the diagnosis.
> Blood work: it can verify that there are no signs of inflammation.
Otherwise it could be a sign of another disease such as scleroderma or lupus.
> Capillaroscopy: This examination is performed by a vascular physician.
Specialist microscope visualizes the capillaries near the edge of the nail.
He studied their number and shape.
In the case of Raynaud's phenomenon, the examination is normal.
Conversely, if the patient suffers from scleroderma, the vessels will be particularly large.
There is no real cure.
The idea is mainly to relieve the symptoms to become much more bearable.
This is reflected first by a few tricks everyday.
In particular, it protects the ends during the winter.
In addition, people who suffer from this disease often have dry skin.
Proper hydration with a suitable cream reduces sensitivity to temperature change.
For smokers, a priority stop smoking.
This significantly improves the symptoms.
Protect yourself from the cold!
Prevention: keep warm
Priority: to protect from the cold.
To do this, we do not skimp on tips.
> A pair of gloves is good ...
But we can still do better. Multiply layers: wear thin silk gloves under your regular gloves for better thermal comfort (available at sporting goods stores).
> Are you going to ski?
Opt for heaters. These "pads" turn into mini water bottles when you knead.
A slip in your pocket, inside your gloves and even under your feet!
> A test: some people practice a kind of daily rehabilitation.
They dip their hands a few minutes in warm water and then they drop the temperature every day to push their sensitivity threshold.
P54WW4JMW8CE
4:30 PM
John Carter
