Tips For Surviving Winter With Raynaud's

People who suffer from Raynaud's syndrome experience a chronic condition of the blood flow in the body’s extremities, which occurs when exposed to colder temps. These body parts become suddenly cold, numb, white, or eventually even blue. Today Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, is sharing tips to make dealing with this condition during the colder months. 

Living with Raynaud’s doesn’t mean you have to surrender your favorite outdoor activities. Most of what you learned about cold-weather worries applies to lessening or preventing the severity of a Raynaud’s attack.

Here are some strategies for managing the condition while still having some fun outdoors:

• Cover every part of your body and choose gear that offers more coverage and warmth. For example, wear mittens instead of gloves or a beanie rather than ear warmers.
• Layer up your clothes before you venture out into the cold. And remember that more insulation is typically better than less.
• Avoid cooling off too quickly when you work up a sweat because changes in body temperature are a key trigger. A rapid rush of cold air can feel good at first, but it might also trigger a Raynaud’s episode after that.
• Use footwarmer and handwarmer packets and insert them before heading outdoors.

Other strategies for minimizing the severity and length of a Raynaud’s episode include:

• Running warm air or warm water over hands and feet.
• Tucking hands under the armpits.
• Flicking your wrists as if you are throwing a disc.
• Drink a warm drink.
• Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Stress can also trigger an attack.

You will find that some methods work better for you than others, and over time learn to manage the condition so you can still enjoy your outside time. If you are living with Raynaud’s syndrome and you have questions about how to manage your symptoms in the colder months, contact the office of Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, today (425) 455-0936 to schedule a consultation.