Sensitive Fingers With Age, Anyone?

[Ally T]

I have always suffered with my hands reacting to extremes of temperature. I have a type of Reynauds & even though I don't get the white fingers part, I get horribly cold, numb fingers & toes in winter which will then turn bright red / purple when I warm them up. And they sting really bad at this point. I will be 43 this June & I have definitely noticed the stingy part more over the last few years.

Possibly linked to this is the sensitivity of my fingers has increased. This is not all the time, but it can really irritate me to the point that I have to pull my engagement & eternity rings off as I feel my finger suffocating.

Does anyone else ever suffer from overly sensitive fingers in extremes of heat? Any tips?

 

[Arcadian]

Alex, seems like this is happening more often. I was diagnosed with Reynauds in my late 20's and it happens more in my hands than my feet. When I lived in New England I used to type in fingerless gloves as it would get so bad. When I lived there I would get big painful knots on my fingers too.

Couple of years ago I noticed it also affected my feet in the same ways as my hands did at first. So big puffy socks and a dedicated heater for my feet.

A few things you might want to try aside from fingerless gloves;

I do some hand exercises to help with bloodflow. I have a ball and a hand grip. they do help quite a bit to get bloodflow back. For feet it can be harder to deal with. I usually have to get some sort of real movement to keep it from getting too bad. I do a bad version of the chicken dance. Thankfully no one can see it

I'm often hit with it when I'm working, so I invested in a desk that allows me to stand or sit and still be productive. I also have a desktop for my treadmill. I work a lot of crazy hours so it was necessary.

Unfortunately it will continue to happen as we get older but for now, those are the few things that I know at least work most often.

Oh and one more thing; if you're strssed out, you may notice that it occures most often during those times. can only say get some stress relief. I do yoga.

 

[Ally T]

Thank you, Arcadian! Exercising hands & feet is something that has never occurred to me! My Doctor has simply told me in the past to avoid the cold, but living in the North West of England means that is impossible at this time of year. I did buy some Ugg Boots a few years back with a proper moulded trail sole (I cannot stand the sloppy looking Ugg Boots) and they are not even questioned if it's a snowy or icy day because of the difference they make compared to regular boots, and I also bought some Ugg gloves before Christmas as my usual leather ones, cashmere lining or not, were having no effect.

Yesterday I did a long run in the frozen countryside & I was 4K in before I could feel my toes. My hands at that point were still hurting

Sounds like you have some pretty good solutions sorted! As the years pass I think it's just taking its toll, making my fingers more sensitive to bashes & knocks, particularly to my fingertips.

I guess it's something we just have to learn to live with in the colder months....

 

[ruby59]

Yes, Reynauds is just not a problem for the aged.

Both my girls have it.

I used to get so worried when their nails turned blue then purple thinking something was wrong with their heart.

I also get it in my toe nails, just in the winter, as well.

When it happens we all do finger and toe curls to increase blood flow. It does help.

We live in New England where it can get very cold.

Socks are mandatory, even inside the house. I have diabetic ones that I love.

Outside, when it is cold, 2 pairs of socks and heavy gloves are a must.

 

[mary poppins]

I have cold fingers and feet/toes, but not Reynaud's. I keep an electric heated floor mat under my desk. I also love my Bed Buddies microwavable booties for roasty toasty feet, though they're not good for walking because they're slippery. Good for lounging around, though.

 

[Ally T]

I have cold fingers and feet/toes, but not Reynaud's. I keep an electric heated floor mat under my desk. I also love my Bed Buddies microwavable booties for roasty toasty feet, though they're not good for walking because they're slippery. Good for lounging around, though.

Like the idea of the Bed Buddies! Must check these out - they will save my poor husband from having his toasty shins used at a foot warmer

 

[Slickk]

I also have had painful fingers and toes (not as much) and they very sensitive to the cold as well. This has gone on for three decades. I was diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder (possibly Lupus) with accompanying Reynauds and Chilblains. I haven't visited my rheumatologist in a few years as it always subsides in the spring. I get painful, red swelling in and around the joints that really affects my ring enjoyment. It usually starts about February and ends by the spring. I live in the Northeast and when I visited Arizona during a flare up it went away almost immediately. Amazing what the weather can do to our bodies. I think it's the damp cold that's the main culprit.
Socks and slippers takes care of the feet, the hands I don't have a cure for sadly...
It makes me feel better knowing I am not alone so thank you for posting this thread.

 

[foxinsox]

I have Reynauds as well and used to live in the south of my country where it's a lot colder - my house was very cold. Since moving north and ensuring I keep the house warm, it's improved.
I also used to have problems when cycling where my fingers would lose feeling and seize up in the first 20 minutes of the ride, although it would pretty much always come right once I was warmed up. I had to get good solid windproof gloves for exercising or it was dangerous. The gloves helped a lot.
I've found it really helpful to bathe my hands in hot water with and without epsom salts. I use hand cream frequently because the action of rubbing it in helps my hands to ease up and stay supple.
I also found relief from changing my diet to a less-processed, low sugar one with few grain products. I don't handle those foods well so removing them from my diet has reduced my symptoms considerably. Also I second the stress-reduction advice - whether it was also because I made poor food choices when stressed or just the stress itself, my Reynauds improved when I started to do yoga and practice mindfulness after a very stressful period in my life. I had very few incidences in the winter just gone.

My condolences - it's really not a fun condition to have!

 

[MJ_Mac]

I too have Raynauld's and was diagnosed in my 20's. AlexT - you mentioned you're 43. Have you noticed any perimenopause symptoms yet? The reason I ask is because I found when hot flashing I'd get warm or hot all over yet my hands and feet would still feel like ice. I don't think they were any colder, just that I felt it more because of the way the rest of my body felt.

Keep in find that certain medications can interact with Raynaud's. Beta blockers, certain migraine medications, decongestants can make Raynaud's worse. Medications such as Imitrex for migraine is never recommended for people with Raynaud's as it can cause serious side effects (heart).

I found it helpful to get rings with sizing beads or bars to help with the fluctuating finger size. I have a wedding band in different sizes as well. I think my only suggestion is to try to keep your hands consistently the same temperature. When driving don't let the a/c blow on your hands, in the winter wear think mittens or gloves preferably sheepskin. Stretch gloves like Isotoner will just make the Raynaud's worse. I have yet to find gloves or mittens that keep my hands perfectly warm but sheepskin seem to be the best. Thick socks inside boots help but make sure the boots aren't tight. As Ruby59 said, finger and toe curls help tremendously.

Foxinsox mentioned soaking her hands in hot water. One thing to keep in mind is to never do this when your hands are extremely cold. If you warm your extremities too quickly your blood vessels will start to spasm and then you will end up with red and painful hands/feet. Blow on your hands or stick them in your arm pits if they need warming. I was caught in a rainstorm once on the walk back from an airshow. By the time we got to our car I was frozen and my hands were white. We turned the heater on in the car and within a short time my hands were bright red and swollen. I felt as if someone had lit a match against my hands. I couldn't believe how badly it hurt.

Keep your hands and feet moisturized. If necessary sleep with cotton gloves and/or socks.

Sorry for this being so lengthy (lol).

 

[Missy]

I also have had painful fingers and toes (not as much) and they very sensitive to the cold as well. This has gone on for three decades. I was diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder (possibly Lupus) with accompanying Reynauds and Chilblains. I haven't visited my rheumatologist in a few years as it always subsides in the spring. I get painful, red swelling in and around the joints that really affects my ring enjoyment. It usually starts about February and ends by the spring. I live in the Northeast and when I visited Arizona during a flare up it went away almost immediately. Amazing what the weather can do to our bodies. I think it's the damp cold that's the main culprit.
Socks and slippers takes care of the feet, the hands I don't have a cure for sadly...
It makes me feel better knowing I am not alone so thank you for posting this thread.

Great tips in this thread and I am so sorry so many here are experiencing these conditions and yes, you are not alone.


Alex, I also have Raynauds (since I was an adolescent in fact) which is common and Chilblains which according to my dermatologist is not that common in the US and a few other (not) lovely autoimmune conditions. Some of which are at extreme odds with each other has in treatment for one worsens another. So that is quite the conundrum.

I also have painful knots in my joints like Arcadian. In fact it is the main reason I stopped ice skating. Just couldn't control the Raynauds and Chilblains enough (get it on my nose too) with the prolonged cold. So I absolutely empathize and can understand what you are going through. You have received excellent advice here and I don't have anything to add but support and comfort.

And yes be wary of the meds as they all have side effects. So it is a matter of what you can live with and what you cannot. It is easier to control when you are not having a flare (yes I know common sense) so prevention is best. Keep your extremities warm and dry and keep activity up and I am sending warm (((hugs))) to all of you.


Oh and I have found the saying "cold hands warm heart" to be useful. And it is true you know. All of us with cold hands have a very warm and loving heart.