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02-28-2015, 09:38 AM
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#1 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 11,159
| Blisters with Raynaud's Phenomenon
HI there. Usually found on the MS board, I thought Id ask a question here. Ive always had the sensitivity to cold, with the pins and needles and white skin; however most recently I can also add a blister like look to the tops of my toes and insane pain on the bottom of them.
I actually thought this was some sort of fungi and went to see a podiatrist.
He insists this is Raynauds Phenomenon secondary to my multiple sclerosis.
Its been extremely cold here and I am always under a ton of stress with work, but more so than usual in the past month.
Has anyone ever developed the blister like look on their toes? And, what can be done about it? Im wearing extra warm socks- trying to avoid heels and hose ( I am in management and usually dress the part for Corporate America)- in the house, I wear socks and slippers. Right now the pain is so extreme that socks hurt! Ive wrapped my toes in lambswool- anything else is painful...
How long will this last and what, if anything, can I do to make it heal faster or relieve the pain?
Suggestions gratefully accepted!
MSNIk
__________________
RRMS- dx 05
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03-02-2015, 10:30 AM
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#2 | | Veteran (female)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 498
| Re: Blisters with Raynaud's Phenomenon
Doesn't sound like Raynaud's but like chillblains. Raynaud's causes ulcers, not blisters. Stay warm with no constrictions on your toes, like a tight shoe or tight socks. You could prolly try some sort of over the counter steroid cream to help with the itchies and pain. If you keep your toes warm and dry, and unconstricted, chillblains will usually heal up themselves in a couple of weeks. If you continue to get them they can be treated with calcium channel blockers, like Raynaud's. If the blisters don't heal or turn into ulcers, then you would want to see a wound care specialist but maintaining good circulation is key to healing both Raynaud's ulcers and chillblain blisters. If you have Raynaud's it can certainly make you prone to chillblains and I do feel for you. Make sure that you dress in layers and keep warm. You can also check with your pharmacist to see if any of your medications are causing vasoconstrictions as that can aggravate both Raynaud's and chillblains. And stay hydrated. Lambswool sounds like a good idea as it has great thermal properties and will wick away moisture without feeling wet. Ulcers and chillblains are horrible. Wishing you the best!
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03-02-2015, 10:58 AM
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#3 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 11,159
| Re: Blisters with Raynaud's Phenomenon
Thank you for your response. I did see both a podiatrist and a vascular doctor. Both have confirmed that this is Raynauds Phenomenon. I did ask about chillblains, as I had read about this as well, but was told it was not.
There is nothing wrong with my circulation according to my doctor; and I am not on any medicines. I do not have any irregular blood work, no diabetes or any abnormal labs- but I do have the skin color changes which are associated with Reynauds.
Because I have MS, I am very heat sensitive. I cannot dress extremely warm, as any kind of heat brings on MS symptoms. I do dress in layers on my body, Im forever stipping off jackets and sweaters; difficult when dressing for success!
I appreciate your response. Right now, Im going to be experimenting with some extra B3 and some supplements recommended by my healthfood store. I got the blessing from my doctor this morning.
Thanks!
MSNik
__________________
RRMS- dx 05
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03-02-2015, 11:15 AM
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#4 | | Veteran (female)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 498
| Re: Blisters with Raynaud's Phenomenon
If you have Raynaud's you have a vascular problem. It may not be a very big problem but when capillaries constrict to cause Raynauds, or chillblains, it is a problem. I have Raynaud's secondary to scleroderma and know that it can be quite serious and both Raynaud's and chillblains can hurt like heck, even if it may not be life threatening right at that moment. Ulcers and blisters can become infected and tissue death can occur. I don't know about you but i have dealt with the " oh it's not part of your primary disease so it's not important" thing or conversely "it's a part of your primary disease so learn to deal with it" LOL. By staying warm, I mean to make sure that your extremities stay warm enough for good blood flow. You could be perfectly comfortable in a sleeveless blouse, but your fingers and toes may need a little more. Even a slight change in temperature can bring an attack on. And stress of course. But mainly watch to make sure that you maintain good circulation to your toes as that will help whatever it is heal faster. Best wishes!
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03-02-2015, 11:19 AM
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#5 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 11,159
| Re: Blisters with Raynaud's Phenomenon
Thank you Luca. I do appreciate your response.
MSNIk
__________________
RRMS- dx 05
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03-02-2015, 11:15 PM
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#6 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Colorado
Posts: 5,994
| Re: Blisters with Raynaud's Phenomenon
MSNik, Since the Raynaud's is so painful for you, I would ask your Dr. if he/she might prescribe a low dose of Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker. I take this for Raynaud's, and it helps quite a bit. It does lower BP as well, so just be sure your BP doesn't drop too low.Most people have enough "cushion" in their BP to take 2.5mg twice a day, or 5 mg once a day without any problem. If you are blistering from it, I think it warrants some treatment, to avoid infection and ulceration. It will help the pain too!
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