My hands are almost always cold. When my whole body is cold, my hands turn purplish red. When I'm hot, my hands turn pink. What's happening?It's normal for extremities to lose out on heat. Why? Our bods preserve heat in core areas--brain, heart, stomach--to keep us toasty toast·y adj. toast·i·er, toast·i·est Pleasantly warm. . But since your hands are cold all the time, Dr. Diana Finkel, Clifton, N.J., explains that you could have Raynaud's Phenomenon Raynaud's phenomenon n. Sensitivity of the hands to cold due to spasms of the digital arteries, resulting in blanching and numbness of the fingers. , a condition in which blood vessels Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. in fingers, toes, ears, lips and nose constrict con·strict v. To make smaller or narrower, especially by binding or squeezing. often when exposed to cold. When you're hot, blood rushes to the fingers. Most people with Raynaud's are females 15 to 40. It is rarely harmful, but mention it to your doctor. Meantime, the solution is easy--stay warm. Who cares if you wear gloves and scarves indoors? Stumper of your own ? Send your question to Body Q&A, Girls' Life, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214, or e-mail it to questions@girlslife.com. |
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