BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?

Subject: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 06:59 PM

My right indes finger is about 10 degrees cooler than the rest of me.
There is no discernable color difference but I still wonder if this is possibly a warning of anything serious.

Cold finger
parody lyrics are welcome but if Mark or others have any info regarding having one cold finger I'd welcome it gratefully.

My doctor dismissed my complaint last Spring. Then it warmed up all summer but returned to being continually cold yesterday.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Peace
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:04 PM

Do you have good capiliary refill? Put your thumbnail on the index finger that is cold. Compress the nail on the index finger. That will turn it 'white'. Does the red colour return within a few seconds?

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:09 PM

Nope the index nail stays kinda white while the others pink up again.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Peace
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:11 PM

OK.

You need medical advice that I can't give. Cap refill being slow indicates a circulation problem. But I have only advanced first aid. Why not message Mark and ask him?

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:12 PM

That is really strange...sorry, I cannot offer any useful advice about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:21 PM

A one finger embolism? I knda doubt it but plumbing is plumbing.

No I did not stick it inside Condi Rice.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Peace
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:31 PM

You have eliminated the obvious stuff, right? Like, you don't have it in ice water when yer not lookin'?

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: bobad
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 07:59 PM

One thing to consider :

What is Raynaud's phenomenon?

    * Raynaud's phenomenon (pronounced ray-noze feh-naw-meh-non) is a condition that makes it harder for blood to reach certain areas of the body.
    * This happens because the blood vessels under the skin tighten. When blood does not reach parts of the body, these areas may turn blue and feel cold.
    * Most often Raynaud's phenomenon affects the fingers and toes. It can also affect the ears and nose.


Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition resulting from poor circulation in the extremities (i.e., fingers and toes). In a person with Raynaud's phenomenon, when his or her skin is exposed to cold or the person becomes emotionally upset, the blood vessels under the skin tighten and the blood flow slows. This is called vasospasm. Hands and feet have fewer large blood vessels and, therefore, when a vasospasm occurs, it is harder for the blood to keep flowing and these areas may turn blue because less oxygen is reaching the skin. The skin will also feel cold because less blood is reaching the skin to keep it warm. While attacks of vasospasm may last from minutes to hours, only rarely do they cause severe tissue damage.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Amos
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:31 PM

It might be a good idea to have a chiropractor check you for specific nerves being placed under pressure by some sort of back misalignment or subluxation. Can't hurt and might be the simple and correct solution.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: jimmyt
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:40 PM

Reynauds! Right on, BObad. Do a search. Could be related to an underlying auto immune condition or more likely just an idiopathic situation. Not all that uncommon, but quite annoying. My daughter has it and she has Lupis, but Jayne also does and it is idiopathic. Keep it warm and son't worry much after a good checkup by a physician.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:46 PM

Donuel--My wife has had Reynaud's Syndrome for several years. While it can be just a nuisance, it can lead to amputation if the incident should last for extended periods. Also, Reynaud's is often associated with more serious diseases as Lupus and Arthritis [although it is not known if these diseases cause the others or not]. She was tested for Lupus and some other diseases and found to be free of them...'tho she does have a touch of arthritis.
My wife dons gloves when she has an incident (infrequently now), and massages her fingers. She also wears gloves in cold weather, and when handling cold or frozen foods.
While dire consequences are rare, do not ignore the problem, especially if it is occurring (more)frequently.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 09:02 PM

Sunset John beat me to it and has it right. Go see an M.D. and have things checked out.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 07:47 AM

Reynaud sounds like a good start. Last year I did use gloves.
One other coincidence. I had a root canal a week before the cold finger symptoms just as I had another root canal last week.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 08:32 AM

chiropractor ........... Can't hurt


Oh yes they can.............

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 08:52 AM

Have you established if the finger is cold, or justfeels cold? Knowing one way or the other eliminates a whole range of possibilities.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 09:45 AM

If I touch my finger to my lip , my lip senses precisely how cold the finger is. About 82 F compared to 94 F

Here is interesting anecdote. I have always been able to tell my own temperature by rolling my eyes upward and feeling if there is a discomfort. The degree of discomfort relates directly to how much fever there may be. It works to within a degree.

I used to get a cold numbness in one thigh or another and a doctor said it was tight pants/belt syndrome so there is some history of vascular constriction and wild guesses by by doctors.
Come to think of it, Migraine is in part a vasular constriction.

My finger and thigh is somewhat better today, cold but not icy. Putting a lot of awareness on an issue often seems to help.

A 15 soak in a hot tub is a good but short lived fix.

Upset? My only conscious emotional upset is the passing of summer.

I bet if there was a blood clot there would be a lot of pain instead of a very minor ache.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Bert
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 05:32 PM

Years ago when I was a boilermaker I smashed the first finger on my left hand so many times that it damaged the circulation, and it would turn white everytime it got cold. But over the years it seems to have improved a lot.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 05:48 PM

the extremities do sometimes suffer when other problems cause reactions. Like Amos suggests.......

I had a nerve problem in the 3rd cervical vertebrae....caused much pain in left arm and numbness down the arm...got treated, and once neck was better and arm quit hurting, my index finger was left with lingering partial numbness at the tip. It does sound like 'some' sort of circulation or nerve problem.

I'd get it looked at.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Mr Red
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 07:43 AM

I have had no soft touch sensation in a big toe for years, fortunately it has not appeared to be a problem - plenty of blood and strong pressure is sensed but tickling would not affect me - though if any ladies want to try..................

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Bagpuss
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 09:57 AM

This link gives more info and a screening quiz for raynauds phenomenon.

http://arthritis.about.com/od/raynauds/

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 10:18 AM

Get it checked out. I haven't followed the links for raynaud's, but I know diabetes can cause problems with extremities also. You can die of that. I would think you'd want to rule out the more serious possibilities before dabbling in a social exercise of naming your disease! :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:46 PM

Hey Red, come to think of it I can't feel my big toes either.
Back in sandel days it got bent underneath and the other one got hit with a tennis racket that I threw 50 feet in the air and tried to catch it. I missed.

Thanks everyone you are all life savers or at least life enhancers.
the thing was transient as usual and is virtually normal again.
Still I will get double checked.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Peace
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:50 PM

Ah ha! You took your finger out of the ice water. I KNEW it.

Don, let us know what the doc says, OK?

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,kedde70
Date: 20 Oct 07 - 10:46 PM

I am on here because my left index finger gets icy cold off and on throughout the cooler months. Also, the muscle at the base of my left thumb (palm side) throbs with pain from time to time. I am right handed, and know the feeling of carpal tunnel from typing too much, but this is different than what I've experienced in the past. My husband says it's a pinched nerve...and my doc thought nothing serious. This is the third year in a row that I have had this experience.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Greg B
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 12:00 AM

Ever have frostbite, or even a marginal condition where the
finger got numbed out while skiing or some such similar thing?

I never had anything so severe as to lose skin or flesh, but
a couple of paralytic cold experiences in Quebec skiing have
left some of my digits very susceptible to fast pain and numbness
in much less severe conditions than the original injury.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:57 PM

Absolutely bloody fascinating!

Gee thanks guys! Musos ARE either more intelligent, or is that just perhaps more widely educated?

I do point out the possible link with diabeetes (circulation) problems too.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 12:10 AM

Actually you have sparking in my aging brain something.

When I was involved in a weapons group, I was struck on the right shoulder near my neck with the rattan stick. This caused a nerve pinch which lasted a week or so - lost all full power in the right hand.

Another time, I was struck on the outside of the right forearm.

This caused a loss of circulation in the forearm (apparently bleeding inside the 'capsule'), which eventually ended up as 'anoxia' - inability of the muscles to do any work without instantly running out of energy and exploding in pain. In desperation after a few days, I tried something - immersed the whole forearm to above the elbow in ice water till total numbness set in. I let it warm up and then repeated this a few times - basically till I could stand this no more!

The problem eased almost immediately - normal circulation was restored! Lucky it didn't progress to gangrene! The 'treatment' seemed to force blood out and in of the 'capsule' surrounding the muscles, or somehow alleviated the obvious blood clot.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 12:15 AM

You're lucky you didn't kill yourself with that clot.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 12:18 AM

Yeah, who was a big clot then?

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 08:50 AM

Another possible cause is "vibration white finger", circulatory damage caused by working with machinery like jackhammers. Not a lot you can do about it except sue the employer who made you work too long with dangerous equipment (the hazard has been known for decades, they don't have an excuse).

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:12 AM

I have the exact same problem, just as you descibe it.   The best advice is to see a doctor. I've had this for years and I have never taken my own advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 11:04 AM

Wow Foolstroupe that was a powerful description.

It is still 80 F here so the finger does not yeat feel cold...yet

I have since chalked the coldness I felt up to the fact that I was once pulled into a whirlpool in a Maine lake and on the bottom of the lake I cut the palm below the that index finger which severed blood vessels and sensory nerves and tendon. It screwed up my cello playing for good. The microscopic surgury to repair the nerve helped about 50% and the tendon repair took over 5 years to stretch back to near normalcy.

Mom used to say that even the best healing will never amke something as good as new. New and uninjured is always best, so be careful.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 10:36 AM

Well actually, in regard to that problem, I should point out that I normally only take aspirin for pain. I would have taken some for that!

Codeine constipates me, and paracetamol just never seems to do much for most aches and pains. My mum pointed that out to me as a kid, as it was something she noticed. When a kid, I often used to get 'growing pains' in arms and legs as my family called them, and only aspirin did anything.

So the aspirin would probably have acted against any clot circulating much...

BTW, now that you have jogged my memory, that same arm had a severe attack of carpal tunnel some years before that. I was diagnosed years later with MMD - micro motor disorder - and that probably led to the CPS, as I was writing using lots of pressure on carbonised paper forms - writing for me needs large muscle control, as I have some hassles with precise fine motor control.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,nzr
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 11:19 AM

huh i've got the same symptom... ! cold finger.. got scared a bit when one of the peep said it could relate to artritis ( ignore the spelling) lol. nways. just wanna say thx who ever put the first post. cheerioes. btw email me what the dr said pls. thx
http://www.sdv9599.multiply.com post me a message there.


peace.. take care all

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 11:50 AM

I've heard that Reynauld's often affects teenagers, then improves.
I certainly had problems with my fingers going 'numb' (and a yellowy white colour), which I don't get now. Mind you, I had an hour's journey to school on foot and public transport, so plenty of time to get really cold.

But it was the return of sensation that really hurt!

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,al electrician
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 07:38 PM

im going through say thing cold index finger i am an electrician .i went to doc he is not sure he says poisibly raynauds.he gave me some blood presure meds doesnt help ,had xray and blood work,no answers,next is spinal xray. the more i look in to this im thinking,it may be carpal tunnel.i work out side alot so this problem is a large issue,gloves dont help much.i also use alot of hand tools, cordless drills etc.this is a good posting at least i know im not the only 1. good luck keep posting as will i.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Big Phil
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 03:20 PM

Numb great toe, disc damage in the lower back, disc presses on the nerve that runs from the lower back to the great toe. The numbness is the first sign of the problem. Sorry to be off post about the finger.

Phil*

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 11:21 PM

As an osteopath I see the occasional case of "white finger".
Sometimes it is due to Raynaud's Syndrome (or Phenomenon) but it may be due to the more serious Raynaud's Disease. "Syndrome" means that the cause is multi-factorial.
Normally manifesting in women, it is sometimes hereditary and somtimes psychogenic. It can be drug-induced or work-related. It may be due to compression of a nerve supplying the small arteries of the digits, for which a check by an osteopath or chiropractor would be helpful.
I have effected a cure in some cases by adjusting the small bones of the hand. If more than one finger is affected adjustment of the elbow can also be effective.
Aspirin has the effect of thinning the blood so failing all else, and with the knowledge of the patient's G.P., a quarter of a regular aspirin daily (i.e. a dose of 75 milligrammes) or a single children's aspirin, may be helpful.
Hope this helps.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,SB
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 02:25 PM

I've been having the same problem as most in this thread. My left hand index finger gets cold. I have never had frostbite or anything like that and I do not work with any equipment that causes vibration.

I work in a data center that is constantly 64F. All of my fingers can be cold but my index will be much colder. Even when all fingers are warm my index can be cold.

Not sure what is causing it, I normally just hold it under my arm or any other warm place on my body. When it is hot outside I do not have the problem of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 03:24 AM

Ahhh Great....My doctor wants to test me for Diabeties and now I think he's right... My finger hurts, I wake up mid sleep to piss, sometimes I cave water.......All of this and more are serious signs of Diabeties..........None the less balance your deit now keep drinkn your booze (easy though) an deal with it...................We all gotta go sometime!!! Dont waste your energy on thinking about being sick or problems in your life........use it in a positive way!!! LOVE!!! YA ALL!!!!

DjWB

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 12:52 PM

Alas, D., you have some good friends I'm thinking. To keep you from wetting the bed at night, they put your index finger in cold water while you sleep. (Of course, putting your hand in warm water will produce incontinence.)

Be thankful, for sure, for having such good and faithful ones close to you!

(Art)

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 01:11 PM

I have no symptoms this season but it hasn't been cold yet this year either.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,Concerned individual.
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 01:34 AM

I have never replied to a thread before. I was checking this out to come to some type of diagnosis for myself. I am a dental hygiene student and recently noticed this year that my right index finger would go white when it was cold. It is a total loss of circulation..my other fingers are fine. I do notice a clicking noise in my finger when I bend it during these times..and only the end 1/3rd of my finger goes white. I am healthy and fit. I have been tested for diabetes, thyroid etc and everything is good. During the summer I have no problems but winter is coming and I wonder how I am going to cope.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 01:22 AM

Is this the finger you hold suspended above your mouse?

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: freda underhill
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 05:13 AM

it could be diabetes (circulation) or could be OOS (typing, clicking, mousing to much) or even holding a pen 7 writing/drawing for long hours.

Ginko biloba is very good for circulation.

good luck

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 09:16 AM

Take up playing the piano or something that exercises your hands a lot and moves your fingers independent of each other (versus all fingers grasping one object and releasing, etc.) It can't hurt, and it might help.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,Jeff Morrow
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 06:01 PM

This is a very interesting thread. I never had any symptom like this before...until...I was camping and played a djembe drum most of the night through a number of drum circles. I played far too long, got blisters and swolen fingers and hands. Ever since that time both index fingers have experienced this odd sensation of being cold. They both get fact quite cold to the touch compared to other fingers. Tried the finger nail pressure test mentioned early on in this thread and the nails both turn back to a normal pink color as quickly as others...but they are indeed quite cold...! ???

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Ed T
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 06:26 PM

As to migraines, the condition is believed to be triggered by an activity in the brain that only temporarily cause the blood vessels (in the brain) to narrow (constrict) they then expand and inflame. Many of the medications (triptans) are sedigned to constrict blood vessels again, relieving some of the associated conditions (as to hands, numbness or tingling on one hand, commonly the right one). I do not recall reading of any associated temperature change, or feeling.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Rog Peek
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 10:36 AM

This all reminds me of the waiter who came to the guest's table with his thumb immersed in the soup.
"What are you doing with your thumb in my soup!" the man asked
"The doctor told me I had to keep it warm." the waiter replied.
"In that case," suggested the man, "Why don't you stick it up your arse?"
Waiter replied "I did while I was in the kitchen."

Rog

P.S. I'm not suggesting of course that this would be appropriate treatment for an index finger.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,misti
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 04:13 PM

I was "google-ing" trying to find out why some of my fingers are cold and the others are almost oddly warm and ran across this posting.
I know most of it deals with index fingers but for me it varies and on both hands. Today it is my left "ring" finger and my right ring finger and pinky. While my thumbs are very warm and the others are what I would consider normal.
While the fingers that are affected changes with each episode, it is always the same scenario. Some freezing and others really warm while others are just average.
As far as the color goes, while minimal, the cold ones are a more whiter blue than the average and the warm ones are more reddish.

I've had this going on for the last 5 years and I'm 29. I've recently (6 months ago) quit smoking and thought that I had read something one time about there being a diagnosed syndrome that was most always found in people in there 20's and that smoked.

Any ideas?

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 09:01 PM

I have this same issue. It's been happening everyday for the last 2 weeks ever since it got cold. It only effects my index finger on my left hand and half of the finger turns completely white. It's really scary seeing it happen. The other fingers are perfect and then I have this one ghostly white finger. About 10-15 minutes after being in the house, the color and circulation comes back, but then it turns dark read and hurts. My big toes and one of my smaller toes on my right foot have gone numb and lost circulation easily since I was 19 or 20, but never like this. They go numb if I have my socks off, but don't turn completely white. This is beyond number. It like zero blood is getting there. I have had middle back pains over the past couple weeks that seems to be coming from my spine and the very first time this happened, there was a sharp tingling in my wrist. Seems to indicate something with a nerve, but then what's up with what's going on with my toes for the last 12 years? Or maybe they are different issues? My Mom was diagnosed with Raynaud's some years ago, but it effect all of her fingers and she doesn't seem to think it's the same thing. She wanted to know if I had ever injured that finger. She said it's pretty rare for Raynaud's to effect only 1 finger. I know I should see a doctor, but I don't know what kind to see.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 09:40 PM

GUEST at 9:01
Unless your mother is a doctor go see one. If you don't know whom to see, start with your family doctor. S/he'll get you to the right one if needs be.
My wife had Reynaud's in only one finger, so quantity doesn't count. Reynaud's is often associated with Lupus...it is nothing to ignore.
Go and be healed.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST,Trevis
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 10:31 PM

My wife has the same exact problem, her left index finger is alot colder then the rest! It is always the same finger and she puts it on the side of my neck or face so i can see that she is not crazy, lol. She also has some pain running down her thumb into her wrist. The Doctor today said it's the hand you use every day so it is probably just hurting and gave her some anti inflamatory pills! (what a joke) he never heard about a cold finger.
After reading this she did have back surgery 10 months ago and she did have pressure on her nerve in her back giving her sciatica down her leg. She also has had diabetes in her family. She is very fit and we are hoping it is poor circulation or something with her nerve and maybe some adjustments might help! Thanks to all that responded!

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 10:09 PM

Interesting find here. I came across this searching for a reason why my left index finger is ice cold while the others are find. It started with a serious pain the other night. I felt like I had broken it, but had no injury. Then woke up several times with it feeling very cold and cold to the touch. It has been cold for several days now. I am not overly worried about it, however I am interested as to why this happens. I had issues like this as a child with all of my fingers. I was also anemic (sp?) as a child.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 12:18 PM

Early posts in this thread answers many of your questions.

I started this thread years ago and am happy to say that I have had none of the cold finger sensations for over a year now.

Subject: RE: BS: Cold index finger, diagnosis?
From: frogprince
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 08:52 PM

My wife has been complaining about cold fingers recently, though.
(Not her fingers, my fingers...)