Reynaud Syndrome Pictures (Hand and Finger): Fingers turn white and numb
Raynaud syndrome is a medical condition in which spasm of arteries cause episodes of reduced blood flow. In Raynauld’s Syndrome, the fingers turn white amd numb.
Typically, the fingers, and less commonly the toes, are involved.
Rarely, the nose, ears, or lips are affected.The episodes result in the affected part turning white and blue.
It is commoner in females than males. Iy is commoner in age between 16 to 30 years.
Raynauld disease has triggers and is episodic just like asthma. Patients may suffer a Raynauld’s attack when exposed to these triggers.
This typifies a Vibration White Finger, a form of Raynauds phenomenon due to chronic use of vibrating equipments.
Some physicians refer to it as the dead finger or Hand- Arm Vibration syndrome.
Have you ever seen a person with this condition. pic.twitter.com/mRoZHL08Kg
— Medical Videos (@TheMedicaIVideo) June 7, 2020
Pathophysiology – How it happens
Trigger by cold and extreme cold temperature or vibrations or drugs, the blood vessel supplying the hand and to the fingers narrows significantly and cuts of blood flow to these areas causing ischemia..(bluish or whitish discoloration and severe pains)
Causes of Raynauld Syndrome
Seen mainly in systemic sclerosis
Very low temperatures
Connective tissue disease like scleroderma,systemic lupus erythromatosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Peripheral vascular disease espcially from atherosclerosis and Buerger’s disease.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Repetitive action or vibration
Injuries to the hands or feet. These include wrist fracture, surgery or frostbite.
Smoking
Drugs especially the ones used to treat migraine like ergotamine, sumatriptans, ADHD medications, some form of chemotherapy medications and over the counter cold medications.
Direct exposure to certain chemicals like vinyl chloride.
TREATMENT
Managed by Calcium Channel Blocker and nitroglycerin.
Adequate painkillers
Beta blocker is contraindicated
What to do during an attack
Warm your hands, feet or other affected areas. To gently warm your fingers and toes:
➡️Get indoors or to a warmer area
➡️Wiggle your fingers and toes
➡️Place hands under armpits
➡️Make wide circles (windmills) with your arms
➡️Run warm — not hot — water over your fingers and toes
➡️Massage your hands and feet
Complication
If not treated on time, thw hand or finger (s) affected may become gangrenous. This will lead to amputation as the only way out for definitive treatment.
PREVENTION
No smoking
Exercise more often
Avoid cold temperatures
Keep your room warm
The End
Sources:
@ojayfemi
Medical Videos (Image Credit)
Mayoclinic
Dr Udomoh
©NIMEDHEALTH
