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Fingers that change color
     
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Fingers that change color

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

 

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.

Causes

 

These conditions can cause fingers or toes to change color:

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

 

Home Care

 

Things you can do to help prevent this problem include:

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

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Contact your health care provider if:

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

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

Your provider will perform a physical exam, which will include close examination of your hands, arms, and fingers.

Your provider will ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

  • Did the fingers or toes suddenly change color?
  • Has the color change occurred before?
  • Does the cold or changes in your emotions cause your fingers or toes to turn white or blue?
  • Did the skin color changes occur after you had anesthesia?
  • Do you smoke or use tobacco?
  • Do you have other symptoms such as finger pain? Arm or leg pain? A change in the texture of your skin? Loss of hair on your arms or hands?

Tests that may be done include:

  • Antinuclear antibody blood test
  • Blood differential
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Comprehensive metabolic panel
  • Duplex Doppler ultrasound of the arteries to the extremities
  • Serum cryoglobulins
  • Serum protein electrophoresis
  • Urinalysis
  • X-ray of your hands and feet

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

 

 

References

Jaff MR, Bartholomew JR. Other peripheral arterial diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 72.

Melville AR, Belch JJF. Raynaud phenomenon. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, van der Heijde D, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 154.

BACK TO TOPText only

  • Raynaud's phenomenon

    Raynaud's phenomenon

    illustration

  • Cryoglobulinemia of the fingers

    Cryoglobulinemia of the fingers

    illustration

Self Care

 
 

Review Date: 4/27/2023

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