Cold Sensitive Skin

Winter is around the corner, and its uncomfortable chill can cause physical damage as well as dampen ones spirits. Here is information about cold sensitive skin ailments; what to look for and what you can do to avoid their numbing effects.

Raynaud’s Disease

· Raynaud’s disease and its symptoms turn up when the temperature turns down. Hands and feet are extremely sensitive to the cold and become affected when the small arteries that supply these extremities with blood and oxygen constrict or tighten. The decrease in blood flow can cause the fingers or toes to turn white or blue. Tingling and then swelling may occur and become painful. If allowed to continue, ulcers may form which further damage the tissue and produce chronic infection around the nails of the fingers or toes.

· Raynaud’s symptoms are brought on by sudden exposure to cold or stress. Perhaps you’ve reached into the freezer to remove tonight’s dinner only to discover that Raynaud has become an uninvited guest.

· The symptoms of Raynaud’s may be associated with an underlying cause such as a connective tissue disease, or, in some people, they may occur with no identifiable underlying cause.

Chilblains & Trench Foot

· Chilblains result from exposure to dry cold that does not freeze the skin. You may notice that affected areas turn reddish-blue and become swollen. Chilblains are itchy and sometimes painful. In time, blisters containing clear fluid may form. No permanent damage results, however, injured areas may be more sensitive to future cold.

· Damp cold at temperatures near freezing can result in trench foot (or immersion injury). This may occur when a glove or sock becomes wet while out in the snow. The symptoms of trench foot are similar to those of chilblains, but the damage is usually more serious. The blisters are deeper and look more like those from burns. As with chilblains, there is no permanent injury other than increased cold sensitivity.

Frostnip & Frostbite

· Frostbite occurs when the injured area freezes. Ice crystals form within the cells of the skin leading to their rupture and death.

· Frostnip is a first-degree frostbite where only the surface of the skin is frozen. Similar to chilblains, frostnip results in itchy and painful skin, but does not lead to permanent damage.

· If freezing is allowed to continue second or third-degree frostbite injuries may result in serious and long lasting damage.

Anybody can be affected by the cold, but those most likely to suffer injury are the young and the elderly. The best way to prevent cold injury is to dress warmly and move indoors once your fingers or toes begin to feel cold. Insulated mittens work better than gloves. Always keep your hands and feet dry and your ears covered.

Be aware that alcohol and certain medications may cloud your judgment. It’s important to know when it’s time to come in from the cold.