In the winter my fingers (even with gloves on) sometimes get so cold that they turn completely white / yellow, because there is no blood flowing through them anymore. I hear different theories about this: (a) you can train this by getting outside a lot and training your finger and hand muscles versus (b) this is innate, you can’t help it. Which theory is correct?
Answer
What you are describing is Raynaud’s phenomenon. Sometimes this occurs in the context of autoimmune diseases (conditions in which the immune system attacks your own tissues), sometimes the phenomenon is isolated.
Often there is no real cause, but triggering factors are known.
Occupations in which you work with vibrating objects (the most extreme example is a jackhammer) and cold are provoking factors. These are best avoided.
There is no cure to my knowledge, but some medicines can provide relief. Examples are calcium channel blockers that are also given at high blood pressure. This obviously requires a doctor’s check.
Answered by
dr. Mistiaen Wilhelm
Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerp
http://www.uantwerpen.be
.