You have Raynaud’s – Now What?

You have Raynaud’s….and you may be thinking, “Now What?”  First off, don’t panic.  While Raynaud’s can range from a minor inconvenience to feeling significant pain, it is actually quite common.  Almost 20% of the adult population has it.  With a few simple tips you’ll be off to a strong start of managing your Raynauds.

Be Prepared

• It is always best to be prepared – you never know when a Raynaud’s attack will hit.  And you don’t want to be scrambling to re-warm. Think ahead – where are you most often? The home, office and car are just a few places that come to mind. Keep warming items readily available in some of your most frequented locations. You are more likely to avoid or lessen an attack and re-warm quicker after having one.

Keep Re-warming Items on Hand

• Hand Warmers – Hand warmers are perfect for a quick re-warm and come in a variety of options. Everything from single use for your hand and feet to battery operated and usb rechargeable.
• Layering Garments – Don’t just think heavy sweaters and jackets. You’ll want to have a few key layers that you can add or remove depending on the weather. We suggest a light pullover, light jacket and a heavier jacket depending on the season.
• Umbrella – Keep an umbrella handy in case of rain because you are more susceptible to a Raynaud’s attack if you are wet – especially wet and cold. Keep a larger umbrella for outdoor activities and if you will be in the rain for any length of time and a smaller travel umbrella tucked in your office drawer and car.
• Hat – Keeping your head warm with a cozy knit hat in the winter and a baseball hat in the summer. Wearing a hat, even a light one, will help you retain heat.

Know some simple Techniques to Warm Up

• Warm water warm up – Running your hands or feet under warm (not hot!) water is the perfect way to safely and effectively re-warm your body.
• Arm Circles – A great way to encourage blood flow into blanched appendages is with arm circles. Slow but purposeful circles work best and be sure not to be too aggressive with your swings. Doing so could force the blood flow too quickly and actually cause more pain and potential tissue damage to the tiny capillaries in your fingers.
• Move your Body– It goes without saying that moving your body will create heat of some sort. But it is especially important if you are feeling a bit chilly and susceptible. Be sure to move your body, but avoid breaking a sweat unless you’ll be headewd indoors for immediate warmth. Cooling sweat on the skin could have the opposite effect on your body and actually make you colder.

Follow these simple tips and don’t be afraid to experiment. You may find that some tactics work for certain occasions but not others. Above all, be prepared, to the best of your ability, and continue to enjoy the life you love.

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