| How to Prevent Raynaud's in Hands22 November 2018 Raynaud's disease is known to affect around two million people in the UK. That's a huge number considering not many people have heard of the condition and that's including some of those who suffer from it. It is identified through the changing of the colour of your fingers when you experience a downward change in temperature, which is followed by tingling, a numbing sensation, or pain.
This discomfort can take anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours to subside, with your fingers, toes and other extremities remaining either a white colour or a blue colour. Although there is no cure, Raynaud's is generally nothing to worry about, but that doesn't mean you can't take precautions to ward off attacks. This article explains How to Prevent Raynaud's in Hands, ideal for those who want to prepare for the long and cold winter ahead. What is Raynaud's Disease?Raynaud's disease is caused by your blood vessels in your fingers and toes restricting whenever you experience a drop in temperature. It's extremely common, and is usually harmless but complications can arise if you are older than 30, or suffer from underlining health conditions. We wouldn't recommend visiting a doctor unless the pain is getting worse, the pain is lasting for longer each episode or if you have another illness. Following a drop in temperature your fingers will go white or blue, which will be followed by a tingling feeling, numbness and pain. This will leave your fingers stiff and you will suffer reduced mobility until the attack has subsided, which could be anywhere between a few minutes and an hour. Although there is no known cure a doctor can prescribe effective symptom alleviating treatment, and you can take steps at home to help prevent attacks. Top Tips for Preventing Raynaud's Attacks in the HandsAs already mentioned there is no known cure for Raynaud's, so treatment tactics aim to prevent a Raynaud's attack from happening. There are a number of ways to do this which we'll go into in a minute, but it's important to follow the weather news and know what items around the house are triggers, such as a fridge. Prepare Your Indoor EnvironmentIt's not just the outdoors that can cause Raynaud's, so it's important to discover what in the house can set off an episode. Does simply opening a window bring one on, or does using the fridge fill you with worry? If so, there are plenty of things that you can buy to help make your home Raynaud's friendly. Hotties Tartan Fleece Microwavable Micro HottieThe simple Hotties Tartan Fleece Microwavable Micro Hottie can help alleviate the symptoms of an attack by being microwaved and then held over the affected area. If opening something like a freezer can spark an attack, have the cosy micro-hottie close by for immediate Raynaud's relief.
Pure Wool Bed FleeceWinter can be a stressful time for those with Raynaud's, so to help ward off an attack through the night it's important to keep your bed warm and Raynaud's friendly. The Pure Wool Bed Fleece offers unparalleled warmth through the night, using its polyester backed design to keep warmth close. Ideal if you're prone to attacks through the night, the bed fleece can keep your hands and the rest of your body nice and warm.
Try to Avoid Cold EnvironmentsIt's easier said than done, but avoiding cold environments is a sure-fire way of reducing the chances of a Raynaud's attack. That includes getting a housemate to open the fridge for you, using the car rather than walking or biking to work, and so on and so forth. We understand that this isn't a reasonable suggestion for a lot of people, so if you are in that category then an electric hand warmer can be used to provide heat when out and about. HotRox Double-Sided Electronic Handwarmer with Power Bank FunctionA product that we're particularly impressed with is the HotRox Double-Sided Electronic Handwarmer with Power Bank Function, a portable handwarmer that features two different heat settings that provide temperatures between 45°C and 50°C on command. Featuring a power bank for remote charging, this electronic handwarmer can be used to heat your hands any time at any place. Instantaneous warmth means you can leave the house in the comfort of knowing that heat isn't far away.
HotRox Double-Sided Electronic Handwarmer with Power Bank Function Wear Appropriate ClothingWearing a number of thin layers can be highly beneficial, as this prevents heat escaping without letting you overheat. Fingerless gloves are ideal for use at home or at the workplace, while gloves embedded with either copper or silver are recommended for warding off more serious Raynaud's episodes. One product that we would recommend is the Raynaud's Disease Silver Gloves. Raynaud's Disease Silver GlovesThe Raynaud's Disease Silver Gloves are cost effective, warming gloves that contain 8% silver. This helps to keep your hands warm and toasty while out of the house, while also preventing a Raynaud's attack from taking place. Silver reflects heat back into the skin, which ensures that you can continue your day without worrying about temperature.
ExerciseExercising encourages circulation and can help keep you warm. In fact gentle exercise once a day is proven to help reduce the rate of Raynaud's, as it get the blood flowing which is a direct opposite of the symptoms of Raynaud's. Wearing some gloves or tucking a Hotteeze Hand Warmer into your gloves can help to alleviate the cold while out of the house. Hotteeze Hand WarmerDesigned for use anywhere and at any place, the Hotteeze Hand Warmer can be used when out of the house. It is particularly useful during exercise, as it can be placed inside your gloves to provide long-lasting heat. Activating the hand warmer causes a chemical-reaction, which then provides heat for up to 10 straight hours.
Other Tips for Reducing the Chances of a Raynaud's AttackRaynaud's can be aggravated by a wide number of factors, so it's important to understand its causes and what can be done to prevent an episode. Some of the things that can help to alleviate an attack in your hands include:
Prevent a Raynaud's Attack TodayYou can prevent a Raynaud's attack by improving your lifestyle and taking efforts to help your hands deal with the cold. For more of our products that can beat Raynaud's, see our list of Electronic Warmers, Blankets, Hand Warmers and Gloves. If you have a question or anything to add, please leave us a comment or find us on Facebook or Twitter!
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