A condition known as chilblains results from defective blood circulation when the person is exposed to cold. The symptoms are swelling, inflammation, severe itching and a burning sensation. After the skin becomes itchy, it might turn red and swollen, then become tender to the touch.
Cold Urticaria or Physical Urticaria is a condition in which red allergic skin lesions and itching are produced by exposure to cold temperatures, water or mild trauma. As with Raynaud’s, seek a diagnosis and treatment from your physician.
One condition with symptoms and triggers (cold and stress) very similar to Raynaud’s is called Acrocyanosis – a chronic circulatory disorder resulting from spasms of the small arteries of the skin. The skin goes through color changes from the lack of oxygen to the fingers or toes similar to the discoloration seen in Raynaud’s sufferers. Other symptoms are severe sweating and swelling of the digits. As with Raynaud’s, seek a diagnosis and treatment from your physician if you suspect any of the above conditions apply to you.
