Over time, these small arteries can thicken slightly, further limiting blood flow. Cold temperatures are most likely to trigger an attack. Exposure to cold, such as putting your hands in cold water, taking something from a freezer or being in cold air, is the most likely trigger. For some people, emotional stress can trigger an episode. Secondary Raynaud's. Also called Raynaud's phenomenon, this form is caused by an underlying problem.
Although secondary Raynaud's is less common than the primary form, it tends to be more serious. Signs and symptoms of secondary Raynaud's usually appear around age 40, later than they do for primary Raynaud's. If secondary Raynaud's is severe — which is rare — reduced blood flow to your fingers or toes could cause tissue damage.
A completely blocked artery can lead to sores skin ulcers or dead tissue, both of which can be difficult to treat. Rarely, extreme untreated cases might require removing the affected part of your body. Bundle up outdoors. When it's cold, don a hat, scarf, socks and boots, and two layers of mittens or gloves before you go outside. Wear a coat with snug cuffs to go around your mittens or gloves, to prevent cold air from reaching your hands. Also use chemical hand warmers.
Wear earmuffs and a face mask if the tip of your nose and your earlobes are sensitive to cold. Take precautions indoors. Wear socks. When taking food out of the refrigerator or freezer, wear gloves, mittens or oven mitts. Some people find it helpful to wear mittens and socks to bed during winter. Because air conditioning can trigger attacks, set your air conditioner to a warmer temperature. Raynaud's phenomenon affects more women than men.
Some people have this phenomenon for reasons that cannot be determined. This is called "primary Raynaud's phenomenon". It usually affects both hands equally. People can also get Raynaud's phenomenon because of certain underlying diseases e. This form is known as "secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Within the workplace, several hazards can cause secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.
Exposure to vibration from power tools is the greatest concern. Hand-held power tools such as chain saws, jackhammers, pneumatic rock drillers and chippers can cause "hand-arm vibration syndrome.
Vibration also damages nerves, muscles, bones and joints of the hand and arm. Before the cancer-causing effects of vinyl chloride were known, workers exposed to high levels of this chemical often experienced Raynaud's phenomenon. Vinyl chloride also caused breakdown of the bones of the fingertips, and other health problems. Raynaud's phenomenon from vinyl chloride is now an unlikely occurrence in Canada since exposure to this chemical is controlled much better than in the past. Raynaud's phenomenon is also seen in typists and professional pianists from repeated finger stress, as well as in dentists and dental technicians.
Frostbite injury with damage to the blood vessels can also cause Raynaud's phenomenon. A few studies have suggested that gripping a hand tool too tightly could cause Raynaud's phenomenon.
Other studies have identified Raynaud's phenomenon in workers who injured their hands by using them for hammering, or pushing or twisting heavy objects. In these cases, Raynaud's phenomenon was part of a disorder called hypothenar hammer syndrome. The time between first contact with the hazardous condition and the appearance of Raynaud's phenomenon is known as the latent period.
This time varies according to the type of hazard, the amount of exposure, and the individual worker. Some people are more susceptible than others. The latent period for vibration exposure can be as short as one year.
As a general rule, severe exposure reduces the latent period. If the latent period for a group of workers is short, the disorder tends to appear more frequently. Also, in individuals with a short latent period, Raynaud's phenomenon tends to progress to advanced stages faster.
Raynaud's phenomenon is primarily a concern for workers who handle vibrating tools or equipment such as pneumatic drills, jackhammers, chipping hammers, riveting tools, impact wrenches, pavement-breakers, gasoline-powered chain saws, electric tools, and grinding wheels, especially in pedestal grinders.
Any vibrating tool that causes you a feel of tingling or numbness in your fingers after 5 minutes of continuous use, could lead to Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's phenomenon is also seen in typists and professional pianists from repeated finger stress.
Several laboratory tests can help determine if a person has Raynaud's phenomenon. Some of these tests measure skin sensitivity or blood flow in the fingers, especially under cooling conditions. As yet, however, none of these tests is universally accepted for detecting Raynaud's phenomenon.
These tests together with careful analysis of an individual's work history and detailed medical history including signs and symptoms are useful in judging if a person has Raynaud's phenomenon. Other tests are often performed to rule out other possible underlying causes.
Workers with mild cases of vibration-induced Raynaud's phenomenon may recover if the hazard that caused it is avoided. For severe cases, prescribed drugs may reduce the attacks. The aims of treatment are to reduce the number and severity of attacks, and to prevent damage to the fingers and toes. When triggers can be identified, an effective therapy is to avoid further exposure to situations that may trigger an attack.
Extra clothing to maintain body temperature including warm socks and gloves are essential to keep feet and hands warm. When B deficiency is treated, the skin on the knuckles will likely return to their normal color. The most common drugs that can cause this include:. The knuckle darkening usually disappears once you stop taking the drug. Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory disease that can cause muscle weakness and a skin rash.
The rash can appear on the knuckles as well as on the face, chest, knees, or elbows. The rash can be bluish-purple or red in color. Sometimes the rash can appear without any muscle symptoms. Dermatomyositis most commonly occurs in children between 5 and 15 years old, or adults in their late 40s to early 60s. Fatigue and darkening in skin color are two common symptoms. The darker skin tends to appear near scars or skin creases like the knuckles.
Symptoms can vary, but skin darkening often precedes other symptoms. It usually affects people between 30 and 50 years old. The condition is treatable with drugs to manage symptoms. Scleroderma , also called systemic sclerosis, is a rare autoimmune disease that causes an overproduction of collagen. This leads to the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. There are many types of scleroderma, and some can be disabling. One of the symptoms of scleroderma is a reddening of the skin, including your hands and knuckles.
This is usually in response to cold temperatures or stress. Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS involves the production of higher-than-normal levels of male hormones in women. One of the symptoms may be darkening of the skin, especially in body creases.
Tell your doctor about any other symptoms you may have, such as fatigue, dizziness, or pain. You can connect to a physician in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
This may be a sign of a more serious condition that needs immediate treatment. If your dark knuckles are linked to an underlying health condition, the first line of treatment will involve medication, other types of therapies, or lifestyle changes for that condition.
If underlying conditions are ruled out, there are other options you can try to treat your dark knuckles. These include home remedies, over-the-counter products, and prescription drugs that can treat hyperpigmentation. Talk with your doctor or dermatologist about the treatments that may work best for you and your skin. Be aware that not all commercial products perform as advertised. Some commonly used OTC skin lightening products contain hydroquinone or lipohydroxy acid, which is derived from salicylic acid.
A dermatological study found that some natural ingredients can help lighten the skin.
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