Cold: feeling of numbness and tingling?

Learn about Raynaud’s Syndrome, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and what are the factors that contribute to a higher risk of developing it

When cold weather arrives, many people experience tingling or pain in their extremities, especially their fingers and toes, as well as a change in skin color. These symptoms may be associated with Raynaud’s Syndrome, a disorder characterized by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the extremities, caused by an exaggerated response of blood vessels to stimuli such as cold or emotional stress.

According to Dr. Marília Furquim, Rheumatologist at Imuno Brasil, anyone can present the condition, however there are some factors that increase the possibility of their predisposition, such as family history and specific medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases.

But then will all autoimmune patients develop Raynaud’s Syndrome? No.

However, patients with Systemic Sclerosis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, for example, should be aware of the symptoms mentioned below by Dr. Marília.

“Raynaud’s typically manifests itself in three phases: first, with the sudden closing of blood vessels, one or more fingers or toes become pale, whitish. Then, due to the lack of oxygen in the area, since there is a reduction in blood flow, the cyanosis phase appears, in which the fingers become purple or bluish. Finally, when the vessels open up again, there is compensatory vasodilation and the fingers may become reddish, with an aspect reminiscent of inflammation. ”

The occurrence of the syndrome varies from person to person, its presence may depend on several factors, including the severity of the autoimmune disease and the individual vascular response of each individual.

“Raynaud’s is most often a benign condition that improves with warming of the body, and does not require specific treatment. However, when it is secondary to autoimmune diseases, it is usually more severe and can lead to ischemic ulcers and even necrosis. In these cases, a vasodilator treatment, that is, one that aims to dilate the blood vessels to improve the irrigation of the extremities, is necessary. ”

Therefore, if there are symptoms that indicate the presence of Raynaud’s syndrome, especially in carriers of autoimmune diseases, it is necessary that a specialized doctor is consulted for the correct diagnosis and treatment.About the doctor: Imuno Brasil rheumatologist graduated in Medicine from the State University of Londrina (2015), has residency in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo and is a specialist of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology.