Does anybody with Raynaud's take longer to heal from injuries?

[bookworm]

[Mcgruder]

I do quite a physical job, and often end up with cardboard cuts on my hands and arms. I have found that my cuts take forever to heal, and now there leave scars, it doesn't matter where they seem to be on my body either. I have problems with my skin as it is always dry and no amount of moisturiser works, I have to use perscription creams, so whether it is down to that i am not sure.

[uknlv]

I have trouble as well, but I would imagine it is down to not getting proper blood circulation due to the Raynauds. I just try to keep things clean and pain free if possible, I have a special ointment that I get from the US, called Bag Balm. It was made to put on cows utters during milking, to keep them soft and it has a numbing agent in it. It is VERY oily and softens my hands up really well, I slather it on at night and then put on cotton gloves. I can't do without it anymore, I have a steady supply sent from home 8) I have never seen it here anywhere though, would buy the shop out if I did lol

[BarbJ]

I too have trouble, small cuts on my fingers are my biggest bugbear. I use pure Sheabutter which I get online from 'Sheabutter Cottage' best to Google it if you want to visit, I tried to pick up the web address but it's very long.

The products are fair trade (which I like), the butter itself is fairly hard but crumbly (if that makes sense) when it's cold, but it's easily warmed and softened between fingers - probably not so good for those whose hands are badly affected by scleroderma though. I often put loads on at night (on hands and feet) and then put gloves and socks on, but I also use it on my hands and arms as I would ordinary hand cream. It's wonderful stuff and I'd never now pay for fancy lotions containing it.

[Emma2]

I am always getting papercuts on my hands at work on paper, cardboard or file clips and I think the healing process does take longer. I guess the worse your raynauds is then the longer it can take to heal due to the problems with the blood flowing to your hands. Anyone with ulcers must suffer even more. I also think that bruises seem to take longer to go - I usually have some on my person somewhere from my martial arts training. I also think my pain threshold has lowered because it used to be quite high. Strange.........

[Suze932]

Yes, I have problems with cuts and digital ulcers healing. I currently have one which began in June 2008 and is still there despite various courses of antibiotics over that period and I always keep it scrupulously clean and covered. Am due to go into hospital for Iloprost to see if that helps. Thanks for the tip about the Shea Butter, will use it on my hands and the other unaffected digits. Thanks for posting

[annbrien]

I don't have problems healing but I get very dry patches on my legs. I find E45 cream or lotion (especially cream) excellent and it is easily available in the shops.

Ann