Raynauds-Effect of Cold on Body Extremities

[redhotoz]

I've been quite interested that many Rosaceans also have Raynauds.

http://www.lupusvic.org.au/raynauds.htm

"WHAT IS IT ?

Raynaud's phenomenon is the name given to the temporary interruption of blood supply to the fingers or toes (though occasionally the ears and nose can also be affected), which occurs as a result of spasm of the arteries bringing blood to the fingers etc.

It is characterised by a series of changes in the colour of the skin.
Typically the finger initially becomes white as blood supply is lost, then blue or dusky, and finally pink as blood flow improves and eventually returns to normal. The sequence is of variable duration and can last from minutes to hours. "

I know that in winter, when it's really cold, I can get white fingers and running them under a warm tap doesn't seem to help.

Anyway, I thought I would mention this idea:

I'm not sure if anyone else here practices Tai Chi? One of the 'warm up' exercises I have on my video helps with Raynauds in the fingers, also for anyone who spends tiime sitting at a compueter! LOL

Here goes (I'll try to word this as best I can):

Circling Arm Movement (not sure of the correct Tai Chi terminology!)

Place your right leg on the ground beneath you and bend your knee a little. Place your left leg about one foot infront of your right foot, a little bent too, but comfortable, balanced stance. With your right arm along side your body, palm facing upwards, begin to raise your arm towards the ceiling. As your arm approaches the ceiling level (straight above your body), twist your palm around to the right so that it is facing backwards again and then complete the circular movement to the front of your body, in a scooping motion.

Do this as fast as you can for at least 50 circles each day...on both sides of the body. Only takes less than a minute. Change the foot stance for the left arm. That is, place your left leg under your body and your right leg a foot infront and then circle your left arm. If you hear clicking noises, then you need to keep doing it until the clicking noises stop...I mean only 50 each side a day though. The clicking noises will go away eventually.

I know this probably sounds all hippy freaky but truly, I would recommend it to anyone, even being the only exercise you get all day.

Also, try sitting or standing up straight. Raise your shoulders up as tense as you can for say 10 seconds and then let them down fast, like you are releasing the tension. A few times, or whenever you want to. It does help, truly. Same for the entire body, stand up and reach up as high as you can, on your toes and really stretch, with your finger tips pointed to the ceiling, looking up to the ceiling, then come down quickly to the front to release tension.

Ok, sorry. Did I get carried away? I have more! LOL But truly these simple things done every day can really help. Raynauds and Rosacea!

Jen

[gina9978]

You know what . . .

Raynaud's is an autoimmune disorder that can be associated with a rosacea looking rash that can indicate LUPUS.

From what I've read, the lupus rash is extremely similar in appearance to rosacea including the P&P.

I would think, that if you have a rosacea-looking rash, combined with symptoms of Raynauds, you might ask your caregiver about lupus.

[Eric]

i also have Raynaud's and now i am starting to worry about Lupus. Until i get the blood test done, can anyone tell me if there is a way to distinguish a lupus rash from a rosacea one? for example, my redness reacted positively to IPL. Would a lupus rash also react in the same way? Is there a flushing also associated with Lupus? Would it get worse with exercise?

[redhotoz]

Hi Eric

I don't know the answers to your questions but I wouldn't be getting yourself too worried. Here's a web site that talks about Lupus:

http://www.lupusresearch.org/faqs_lupus.html

There are heaps of other web sites available by doing a quick Google search.

Why not wait until you have the blood test and then consider your options?

The mention of Raynauds to me is more to do about blood circulation, in relation to Rosacea. I know I didn't specifically say that in my first post though, as I launched into Tai Chi exercises.

I've read posts where people have spoken about the changing appearance of the backs of their hands, from over heating to cold. Also, talk on the thermoregulatory system. At the same time talk of Raynauds. Then of course there's the vascular theory/component of Rosacea. So in my mind I am linking these possibilites together and was interested to read that many have stated that they also suffer from Raynauds. I didn't even know the name for the white finger thing until I read it in someone's post! I just put it down to 'bad blood circulation', which for me is hereditary.

I know I'm not being particularly clear (or scientific) on my thought process, but let me say that Lupus was the farthest thing from my mind!

Please do let us know how the blood test goes Eric!

Jen

[Eric]

thanks Jen. i have suspected Raynaud for some time, but my doc finally said so yesterday. Still, i am not 100% sure since my hands are constantly cold and this started when i started losing weight...
anyway, i'll get the blood test done.
cheers

[redhotoz]

Well you know what 'they' say Eric...

"cold hands, warm heart!"

Not sure where that one came from (Irish maybe?) but we use this saying a lot in my family. Does that make us cold blooded? LOL I'm just kidding!!! Heck with a face on fire and no blood in my fingers, something is definitely out of whack! But at least I have a warm heart! :D

Jen

[Eric]

i'll choose warm heart and warm hands if i could...i must say that my rosacea has humbled me tremendously...i am much 'warmer' than i used to be...

[lightsail]

Well,
I can see there are several people here with the same condition with both raynauds and rosacea. I wonder if any research is being done. It is definately some kind of over reactive nerve system disorder that turn on and off the flow of blood.

[Coyne]

I have this in my toes. My right foot in particular. The year before last it was so bad I thought I had frost bite. It's quite odd really only comes in the winter and my feet go purple and the toes are freezing and then they turn white and numb.

Has anyone noticed any realation to their Rosacea? Do they happen at the same time? If one is bad is the other better? When my toes were really bad - winter04/05- my face was not red. Could be a coincidence. Would be interesting to know if triggering a Renauds episode could help relieve Rosacea.

[redhotoz]

I've only noticed it in winter too James. I don't suggest you try spinning your leg around in circles though! :lol:

Can't say I've taken any notice with what's happening to my face when my fingers go white. Will remember to make a note in my diary next time it happens.

Jen

[Coyne]

It's funny you mention about the tai chi exercises. In the past I have noticed doing those sort of things helps my feet regain their normal colour. Although admittedly I do rotate my ankles rather then my legs :D

[thursday]

Has anyone noticed any realation to their Rosacea? Do they happen at the same time? If one is bad is the other better? When my toes were really bad - winter04/05- my face was not red. Could be a coincidence. Would be interesting to know if triggering a Renauds episode could help relieve Rosacea.

I have had reynauds for many more years than I have had rosacea but in the last couple of years they have both been generally very bad and at the same time. In teh last couple of weeks however both the reynauds and the rosacea have been somewhat improved. I am convinced they are connected, part of the same hyper-reactivity of my body to small temperature changes.

I find that I can't relieve a rosacea flush by inducing a reynauds episode but if I can tip my temperature to the point where I shake from being so cold, then the burning dissipates from my face.

I find that the apparant insanity of frozen hands and burning face happens daily in winter time and is a double disability that I find particurly difficult.

[Froggirl]

I have always had cold hands and feet but suddenly started getting bad pain, redness and swelling in my hands feet and nose tip. My doctor though it was due to the beta blockers and clonidine i was taking for rosacea.
My only rosacea sysmtom has been bad flushing and sensative skin and sometimes i wonder if it is even rosacea.
In the night my nose and cheeks go numb and pins and needly are freexing to touch, then after a whike I get a throbbing flush and the areas go bright red. My doctor said this was raynaurd and it has got better now i have stopped clonidine and betablockers but has not gone. I feel like i am a hypercolour person at the moment, my hands feet and face go from white to red, my nails are always blue, even the rest of my skin gets red and blochy all the time.
I also get migranes which have got worse lately which i guess makes sense, looks like all of my blood vessels are just overreactive.
Does anyone else with rosacea get freezing cold skin and numbness before a flush?

[GJ]

I am always more likely to flush if my hands and feet are cold.

In an effort to improve my circulation I have been trying 'contrast hydrotherapy' of late.

Nothing fancy. Just having a shower and alternating between very hot and very cold (3 mins hot, 1 min cold, 3 mins hot, 1 min cold etc etc).

Some science to back it up; an awful lot of folklore.

Anyway, I like it and it does seem to be doing some good.

Can the vessels in the face be trained to better cope with the old from a cold and wintry outside to a warm and snug inside scenario?

[Felix2]

raynauds is known as a recurring theme disease. it goes away now and then but always crops back up. Raynauds sufferers although prone to insensitivity in the pinkies are fast typers, the similarity doesn't end there, in fact people with rosacea and raynauds are physically identical in every possible way!

[GJ]

Invigorating too!

[Brighteyes]

I also have cold hands, feet, and nose (although they only turn red, not blue, purple, or white). Anyways, I've ruled out any auto-immune diseases and was wondering if we aren't all wrong about having reynauds. Could these sensations simply be symptoms of rosacea which is similar to reynauds, as opposed to a co-existing condition? It's almost like I have rosacea on my right hand all the time.

[dpart]

I also have cold hands, feet, and nose (although they only turn red, not blue, purple, or white). Anyways, I've ruled out any auto-immune diseases and was wondering if we aren't all wrong about having reynauds. Could these sensations simply be symptoms of rosacea which is similar to reynauds, as opposed to a co-existing condition? It's almost like I have rosacea on my right hand all the time.

Me to, only slight cold will turn my nose bright red and ice cold, same goes for my fingers and toes. So since my nose is so fucked up by raynauds no wonder thats the most fucked up part of my face regarding rosacea as well. Sigh. I have done the lupus blood test though (ANA screen) and it was negative.

[drums]

I've only noticed it in winter too James. I don't suggest you try spinning your leg around in circles though! :lol:

Can't say I've taken any notice with what's happening to my face when my fingers go white. Will remember to make a note in my diary next time it happens.

Jen

Well Jen I am in agreement that rosacea and raynards are well related . For myself I am in no doubt they are most certainly connected. The link between them is the hypothalmus. Anyway puzzle onwards.

drums