Diagnosed with Raynaud's 6/02/23 - help with toes please

[Tor1972]

Hi everyone, thank you for reading my first post.

My symptoms are related to my fingers, toes and right heal in that they go white, numb and hurt.

My 2nd toe on my right foot and my middle and 2nd toe on my left foot have what looks like the start of blisters on the tips of them, they are red (one almost purple) and painful to the touch. Slipping into bed sheets is not a good feeling.

So far I've been prescribed Nifedipress that I will collect today, 20mg twice a day. I have also bought merino wool socks and I wear wrist warmers and many thin layers.

My worry is that my painful toes aren't chilblains but the start of something else.

Can anyone share any experiences or thoughts?

Thank you x

[Castella]

Google covid toes and see if they look similar.

[Midgebite21]

Hi, I’m a podiatrist as well as having Raynauds and scleroderma for over 20 years. I get chilblains every year especially on my toes. That’s with medication and preventative measures like layers, merino socks, shearling lined boots etc. Chilblains are very painful especially if they split and ulcerate. Are you concerned that you may loose your toes? Im unsure what you mean when you say it maybe something else can you elaborate?

There has been an exacerbation of chilblain cases this year, this could be due to the cost of living crisis and people not having heating on as high. Also there is a correlation between Covid and chilblain like lesions over the last couple of years in the general population. Have you recently had covid?

Please try not to worry as stress can make Raynauds worse. Take the nifedipine and keep warm and out of situations that trigger an attack. Have you tried a chilblain cream. There are a few good ones on the market.

[Tor1972 in reply to Midgebite21]

Thank you Midge, your post has reassured me that I'm catastrophising and that all is well! I think I got myself worked up because I have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. I had my first experience of Chilblains at the start of December having had Covid for the first time in October. The chilblains appeared just after having had Influenza A at the start of December. It's been a rough quarter, but nothing I can't just get on with :0)

[Midgebite21]

Glad to help, it can be overwhelming. Look after you and always ask on here. We may not always have the answers but there will always be support xx

[ACR22]

Hello there, this is my 1st time answering or posting on here so apologise in advance if I go on a bit.

I’ve also recently been advised that I have Raynauds in toes on my right foot which change to a deep purple then to red and they are tingly and numb. Toes on my left aren’t as bad but I’ve been told Raynauds has started there too. My hands and tip of my nose are freezing but no discolouration yet. I had a stroke June 2019 and have a weakness on my right side then fractured my big toe on that side when getting used to the weakness. Don’t know which of these or both are to blame for the Raynauds? I have developed tinnitus in my right ear as well. The right side of my face went numb twice during the stroke so I think it’s nerve damage with that. I’ve only had 1 chillblain, it was on my big toe which is so swelled up that it hurts.

I’ve bought hand warmers, heated insoles and compression gloves the other day and touch wood they’ll do the job. I absolutely believe the cost of living crisis is making Raynauds sufferers much worse. Thanx for reading my reply x

[Pebblehead]

Hi there Tor my symptoms are similar to yours and although “I’m a bit late to the party” here’s what has helped me.

Always wear slightly oversized, loose-ish socks in bed, they keep my feet warm but don’t impinge upon my toes, which I keep moisturised to prevent cracking.

Buy a few pairs of “trainer- socks”. As they have no ankle grip, they don’t dig into your ankles. They’re cheap and I wear them under other socks when it’s cold. They do keep my feet warmer. (also washing socks on a cold washing setting prevents them from shrinking so much!).

Lastly I drink lots of tea. A mug of tea is a good handwarmer!

Regards. C

[Tor1972 in reply to Pebblehead]

ooo the trainer sock thing is a great idea. I got my feet stuck in my wellies at the weekend cos I had on two thick pairs 😃 Thank you x