I do not do it all the time. I only do it if they get cold. Some times they change colors when cold.
It sounds like Reynaud's, Joe, especially with the changing colors. I sit with the heating pad; haven's worn gloves inside (yet) :)
Yes, I would guess you are correct. No dx of it yet by Dr.
Yes, I sometimes wear gloves indoors. I have some that are conductive so I can use electronics while wearing them, although I can't use the keyboard very effectively because of the bulk.
I tried some of the chemically activated hand warmer packets but they didn't seem to help at all. They were warm but didn't radiate past the specific skin area they touched.
I also have a tube of Voltarren cream which is a topical NSAID which I smooth on my knuckles from time to time. It's quite helpful as well.
If it's Raynaud's, usually the trigger is a CHANGE in temperature - could be cold-to-hot or hot-to-cold. The sudden shift causes the capillaries to spasm and not function correctly, which can cause permanent circulation issues over time. My mom has it pretty bad in her hands, and for me it's the toes.
We've both gotten used to always having chilly extremities. I feel like the first 2-3 years of it are the worst - it almost seems like once your capillaries are totally shot, it stops hurting so much all the time.
Mom uses gloves whenever she has to reach into the fridge or freezer, and puts them on BEFORE she goes outside in the cold to avoid the sudden temperature changes. In the house, we both try to let our extremities be "room temperature" - not too toasty, not too cold. That way they have less adjusting to do if the temp goes up or down.
Avoid hot or cold water - DON'T use hot water, hand warmers, or heating pads - they will make it worse. Only use lukewarm things to help, and bring the temperature up VERY gradually. No hot baths!
Mittens are better than gloves....anything that squeezes the skin will cause the problem to be worse. Sometimes, parodoxically, fingerless gloves work best - they keep the blood supply warm but don't put any pressure on the skin.
I have found that taking fish oil and a daily aspirin help quite a bit (they thin the blood).
At one point it was so bad I had open sores on my toes for several weeks at a time in the winter....sometimes the circulation is so bad that the skin will split and can't heal - almost like a diabetic sore. The only thing that allowed that to heal was spring and summer! But I take better care of things now and it's not so bad.
There is an ointment called "Lansinoh" made for breastfeeding mothers that is almost pure lanolin....it is wonderful for Raynauds. It insulates the skin as well as helping it stay supple and not crack. It's sticky when it's cool, but if you warm it a bit in hot water before you put it on, it sinks in pretty well (just don't get it TOO hot).
If it's really bad, you can also get nitroglycerine cream from a doctor - it helps the capillaries relax. Just be ready to show the prescription to the TSA agents if you fly because it makes you "smell" like explosives :o :P
Sorry you're having to deal with this, Joe! :(
I do too like Joe when my hands feel cold. It happens quite frequently.
susanep :)
I use fingerless gloves around the house quite a bit when it's cold. When I start getting cold, I get cold all over, and sometimes can't get warm for hours. I can sit under warm blankets, use heating pads and just can't get warm. Part of my autonomic dysfunction. Good times.
So it's heavy socks, lots of layers, and gloves for me, even though we keep the temperature around 70 in the house. It's the cold and the damp that trigger me.
DH rides his motorcycle in the cold weather... earned points one year for winter miles for a type of "Polar Bear Badge'... it was a bit mild than most winters that year and 'I' thought the badge should have had a Polar Bear Cub.. ;)
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/audio/video/2013/3/31/1364742021369/Orphaned-Polar-Bear-Cub-005.jpg)
Now with my hands so cold.. even when placed under the laptop.
Geesh.. honey can you somehow rig up those heated gloves you use on your motorcycle..??
Count me in. I use crafter's gloves at work and when needed at home (fingerless and have just a bit of compression).
It's torture to have anything on my hands. I know it sounds weird, but gloves and hand lotion both make me feel like my hands are 'suffocating'. But I DO suffer from cold painful hands, and I yearn for *something* that will bring relief without discomfort as part of the package. I've been known to fantasize about hot wax treatments - but I'm worried that it will give me the same feeling that gloves and hand lotion do. I guess I should try to find someplace where I can get a treatment so I can make a decision about whether to buy a home hand wax spa device.
So far the best remedy I've found is a hot cup of coffee to wrap my hands around, and that has the added benefit of hot coffee to drink!!!
Hi Joe, Sorry to hear that your hands are bothering you. I do't have the discoloration in my hands, but when winter comes I get the pain in the fingers and the cold fingers. I wrap my hands in the heating pad or else I warm the rice pack up in the microwave. I like the rice pack better cause it seems to get into the bones and tissues better. Don't heat it too mud cause just having it warm is enough. Irish
I wear gloves, indoors, all year round. I wear gloves UNDER rubber gloves when I clean. I have done this for over 30 years. My hands/feet have been cold all my life. Yet, Raynaud's is denied. Why? I have no discolorations. I believe the doctor is correct. I just have cold hands and feet. It is a phenomenon tho!! If you want to see what it looks like (the discolorations) check some of Carolina's posts with pictures she has posted. I don't mind not being diagnosed with this affliction. I've learned I need to wear socks and gloves year round.