Blue Hands/Blue Feet

     A frightening problem common in adolescents is a blue discoloration in the hands or feet - usually the fingers or toes. Fingers are affected more often than any other body part. The area becomes blue and, after a while, may become red. The area may feel cold and tingling, and pressure on the area can cause pain. This is called Raynaud phenomenon. It results from a severe constriction of the arteries in the extremity that causes decreased blood flow to the area.  The decreased blood flow is what causes the blue discoloration. A secondary enlargement of the blood vessels is what causes the redness.  Normally, the vessels in our extremities constrict as a response to cold but Raynaud phenomenon is an exaggerated constriction, sometimes with only minimal exposure to cold and sometimes as a response to stress. It can sometimes begin in a stressful time in an adolescent’s life. It can also be triggered by smoking or caffeine consumption.

     The most common form of Raynaud phenomenon is called primary and it is not usually associated with other complications such as skin sores or blisters. The blue discoloration gradually resolves as the vessels re-expand. Warming the extremity can speed up the recovery. It is sometimes treated with pain medications for comfort and other medications to decrease the amount of vessel constriction.

      Although Raynaud phenomenon is usually not a severe problem, it is important to have the child's caregiver investigate it to ensure it is not associated with more serious diseases. This can involve blood tests, X-rays and even referral to specialists.