Numb and Cold Fingers Syndrome

Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon are rare medical disorders that cause the fingers and toes to become numb and cold. These conditions develop when a patient experiences stress or with exposure to cold temperatures.

Conditions

• According to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Raynaud’s disease occurs without another disease as its cause. Raynaud’s phenomenon develops from another disease such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma.

Symptoms

• In addition to cold and numb sensations, Raynaud’s can cause skin to turn white and blue, may reduce the sense of touch and may result in swelling of the skin.

Causes

• Raynaud’s disease is caused by a vasospasm or narrowing of the arteries of the fingers and toes that limits the supply of blood to these extremities.

Risk Factors

• People who experience repetitive trauma to the nerves in the feet and hands from activities such as long periods of piano playing or use of tools that vibrate have an increased risk of developing Raynaud’s disease. Smoking and taking drugs such as beta blockers, estrogen replacement drugs and over-the-counter cold medicines can cause a greater risk of getting Raynaud’s disease.

Treatment

• Doctors may treat Raynaud’s disease with medications such as calcium channel blocker drugs, alpha blockers or vasodilators. Severe cases of this condition may require nerve surgery or an injection of chemicals into affected nerves.