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Fingers that change color

Definition

Fingers or toes may change color when they are exposed to cold temperatures or stress or when there is a problem with their blood supply.

Alternative Names

Blanching of the fingers; Fingers - pale; Toes that change color; Toes - pale

Causes

• Buerger's disease
• Chilblains - painful inflammation of small blood vessels
• Cryoglobulinemia
• Frostbite
• Necrotizing vasculitis
• Peripheral artery disease
• Raynaud's phenomenon - sudden change in the finger color ranges from pale to red to blue
• Scleroderma
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Home Care

Avoid smoking.

Avoid exposure to cold in any form. Wear mittens or gloves outdoors and when handling ice or frozen food. Avoid chilling, which may happen following any active recreational sport. Wear comfortable, roomy shoes and wool socks. When outside, always wear shoes.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor for an appointment if:

• Your fingers change color and the cause is not known
• Fingers or toes turn black or the skin breaks

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The doctor will perform a physical examination, which will include close examination of the hands, arms, and fingers.

The doctor will ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• Time pattern
  • Did the fingers or toes suddenly change color?
  • Has the color change occurred before?
• Aggravating factors
  • Does cold or emotion cause the fingers or toes to turn white or blue?
  • Did this occur after you had anesthesia?
  • Do you smoke?
• Other symptoms
  • What other symptoms do you have? For example:
  • Finger pain?
  • Arm or leg pain?
  • A change in the texture of the skin?
  • Loss of hair on the arm or hands?

Tests that may be done include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Blood differential
• Antinuclear antibody blood test
• X-ray of the hands and feet

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

References

Olin JW. Other peripheral arterial diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 80.

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