Raynaud's syndrome?!
Question: I have been diagnosed with Raynaud's Syndrome. I thought my cold sensitivity was Post Polio Syndrome, but 2 years ago my my feet started getting painfully cold. They turn dark charcoal color and my left ankle gets blotchy.
I have had all kinds of tests and the doctors say I just have mild Raynaud's. Some of my toes are 68' and they feel SO cold!
Sometimes I try to ignore the cold.
Should I always be worried about keeping them warm?
Answers: I have been diagnosed with Raynaud's Syndrome. I thought my cold sensitivity was Post Polio Syndrome, but 2 years ago my my feet started getting painfully cold. They turn dark charcoal color and my left ankle gets blotchy.
I have had all kinds of tests and the doctors say I just have mild Raynaud's. Some of my toes are 68' and they feel SO cold!
Sometimes I try to ignore the cold.
Should I always be worried about keeping them warm?
According to the Mayo Clinic, mild cases of Reynaud's can be can handled with self-care and prevention. You're not going to permanently damage the tissue in your finger, toes, or tips of your ears and nose or deform those body parts. So, you don't absolutely need to keep those parts warm at all times. Plus, if damage was possible, I'm sure your doc would have told you that keeping body parts affected by Reynaud's warm at all times was of the utmost importance.
Prevention tips include dressing warmly indoors and outdoors and moving to a warmer climate (this probably isn't possible for most people). Self-care tips include avoiding caffeine, avoid use of tobacco, exercise, managing stress, taking appropriate care of feet and hands, and avoiding workplace triggers.
take measures to keep them warm ... reduce stress, exercise daily, and eat well to reduce the frequency of expression of the syndrome ... when your fingers or toes start to get cold, use moist heat if you can and walk around and rub them to improve the circulation ... wear warm socks and appropriate shoes when it is cold out (especially cold and wet) ... wear gloves and avoid touching anything ice cold with your bare skin (like your steering wheel first thing in the morning when it is 30 degrees out) ...
good luck!