What happens if your finger turns white?

When a person has Raynaud's phenomenon, exposure to cold abnormally reduces blood circulation, causing the skin to become pale, waxy-white or purple. The disorder is sometimes called "white finger
white finger
Vibration white finger (VWF), also known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or dead finger, is a secondary form of Raynaud's syndrome, an industrial injury triggered by continuous use of vibrating hand-held machinery.
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", "wax finger" or "dead finger."
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Is White Finger serious?

It's not a serious threat to your health, but can be annoying to live with, because it can be difficult to use your fingers. People with Raynaud's often go for long periods without any symptoms, and sometimes the condition goes away altogether.
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How do you cure white finger?

Treatment for VWF typically involves reducing or managing its symptoms. Some doctors may recommend antihypertensive medications such as calcium channel blockers to improve peripheral blood circulation. However, this treatment may not work for everyone. Chronic cases of VWF may require pain relievers.
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What usually triggers fingers going white?

Raynaud's affects your blood circulation. When you're cold, anxious or stressed, your fingers and toes may change colour.
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Can Raynaud's affect the heart?

There's no known link between Raynaud's and heart disease.
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Raynaud's Phenomenon (Reduced Blood Flow) of the FIngertip



Why do I suddenly have Raynaud's?

Spasms of blood vessels happen in response to cold, stress, or emotional upset. Secondary causes of Raynaud's include lupus, scleroderma, and other diseases. Symptoms of Raynaud's include fingers that turn pale or white then blue when exposed to cold, or during stress or emotional upset.
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Is white finger a disability?

Vibration White Finger (VWF) is the most commonly prescribed disease under the Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit (IIDB) scheme for the last ten years, this is shown in Table IIDB02.
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What foods to avoid if you have Raynaud's?

Always try to maintain a balanced, healthy diet and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Some food supplements have helped Raynaud's sufferers, including evening primrose oil, gingko biloba and fish oils. Certain foods are also believed to help, like ginger, garlic and spicy food.
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How long does Raynaud's last?

If you have Raynaud's phenomenon, your hands may change colour in cold weather and there may be pain, tingling and numbness. These attacks often only last a few minutes, but they can last two to three hours. You may find that moving into a warmer environment often stops the attack.
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Is white finger reversible?

After several fingers turn white, the disease is probably irreversible; the thumb is not usually affected.
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Can Raynaud's be cured?

There is no cure for Raynaud's that occurs on its own (primary Raynaud's). But you may be able to control it by avoiding the things that trigger it. Keep your body warm.
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Can Raynaud's affect the brain?

When it's cold outside, some lupus patients develop Raynaud's, which is where the vessels over constrict and turn blue. If it's warm, they can over dilate and turn red. The same phenomenon can occur in the brain. Over dilation can cause a headache and over constriction can produce a mental fog.
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Can Raynaud's affect only one finger?

In secondary Raynaud's, symptoms may first begin in just one or two fingers on one hand. This is in contrast to primary Raynaud's when all fingers on both hands are typically affected.
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Can you lose your fingers from Raynaud's?

UCSF Vascular surgeons have extensive expertise and experience in the care of patients with Raynaud's Syndrome, from common forms to the most complex and challenging cases, such as severe Reynaud's phenomenon that involves pronounced digital ischemia and the risk of losing one or more fingers or toes, a hand, foot or ...
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How do you test for Raynaud's?

A cold stimulation test involves placing your fingers in an ice water bath to find out if you have Raynaud's syndrome.
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Does drinking water help Raynaud's?

They make blood vessels constrict. Beta-blocker medicines, often used to treat high blood pressure, also can make Raynaud's worse. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, which can lower the amount of blood moving through the blood vessels.
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What is the best treatment for Raynaud's?

Calcium channel blockers are the class of drugs most widely used for treatment of Raynaud syndrome—especially the dihydropyridines (eg, nifedipine, nicardipine), which are the most potent vasodilators. Nifedipine is the customary first choice.
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Does Raynaud's cause weight loss?

Low body weight and involuntary weight loss are associated with Raynaud's phenomenon in both men and women. Scand J Rheumatol.
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Is white finger painful?

Hand-arm vibration (HAV) can cause vibration white finger, a permanent and painful numbness and tingling in the hands and arms, also painful joints and muscle weakening.
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Does Raynaud's cause joint pain?

Raynaud's syndrome has been linked to another inflammatory type of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis.
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Can I claim for white finger?

If you've developed vibration white finger through your employer's negligence, then you may be able to make a compensation claim. If you were 18 or over when you first noticed white finger symptoms, you have three years to make a personal injury claim.
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Do I need to see a doctor for Raynaud's?

When to See a Doctor. Severe cases of Raynaud's can lead to tissue death (gangrene). See your doctor if you have a history of severe Raynaud's and have developed sores or ulcers on your fingers or toes, or if you have an infection. You should also tell your doctor if attacks happen on only one side or your body.
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Why has my finger gone white and numb?

When a person has Raynaud's phenomenon, exposure to cold abnormally reduces blood circulation, causing the skin to become pale, waxy-white or purple. The disorder is sometimes called "white finger", "wax finger" or "dead finger." Raynaud's phenomenon has many different causes including workplace exposures.
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Can Raynaud's cause tiredness?

characterised by a rash sometimes seen on both cheeks and the bridge of the nose, and chronic inflammation of the blood vessels and connective tissues of the body. There is associated tiredness, joint pain, mouth ulcers, hair loss and Raynaud's.
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How do people with Raynaud's disease live?

Raynaud's disease treatment
  1. Reduce exposure to the cold or extreme temperature changes. ...
  2. Wear extra warm clothing to protect yourself from the cold.
  3. Quit smoking.
  4. Limit caffeine and alcohol.
  5. Exercise to increase blood flow, especially for primary Raynaud's disease.
  6. Avoid wearing clothing or jewelry that is too tight.
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