For those with Raynaud’s Syndrome or Phenomenon, warm summer temperatures can provide relief for many. Despite rising summer temperatures, air conditioning and cool evenings can cause 5-30% of people to still have to consider the cold.
Raynaud’s Syndrome is characterized by excessive temporary vasoconstriction that commonly occurs in the fingers and is often triggered by cold temperatures or a stressful situation. The symptoms of Raynaud’s include pain in the affected region, discoloration, and the sensation of cold and/or numbness. Depending on the severity of the condition or environment/temperature change, the skin may at first become pale or white with coldness and numbness as the blood supply becomes reduced in that area. When the oxygen supply in the fingers is depleted, the skin turns blue (cyanosis). When the episode subsides, the skin will become red as blood returns (rubor) and may still have swelling and a painful tingling.
Raynaud’s may be idiopathic or can occur secondary to systemic sclerosis, Scleroderma, or a connective tissue disease. As a physical or occupational therapist, when suspicious of Raynaud’s, it’s important to get a detailed history of symptom occurrence, attacks, and duration, social behaviors including drug use, family history, etc. and complete a thorough physical evaluation (including observation of skin and nail changes). It is also important to check vascularity (Allen’s test and pulse checks) and perform nerve compression testing to rule out upper extremity nerve entrapment(s).
A referral to a hand therapist can be very beneficial to an individual with Raynaud’s phenomenon. There are a few important treatments involving primarily patient education that we have to offer.
As a physical or occupational therapist, it is important to educate on:
The Protexglove line of protective gloves offers gentle compression, excellent dexterity, and warmth-enhancing fabrics for individuals with Raynaud’s phenomenon.
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