Several Frosties recently shared with us their strategies for bringing warmth and comfort into their lives and agreed to let us share them in our Winter 2024 Member Tips column.
Vermont Winter Warming Strategies
Margaret in Vermont told us that she’s now dealing with digital ulcers, but that she’s “Thankfully able to manage the ulcers with medication and a change in lifestyle, especially during the winter.” So we asked her to share her coping strategies with us, and here’s her list:
- A good pair of wool socks. I prefer Darn Tough or Smartwool® socks. The thicker ones are better for colder months.
- Slippers are a must.
- A warm pair of winter boots with plenty of room in the toe bed for thick socks and the ability to wiggle your toes.
- Long underwear! I wear long underwear on cold days, even in the house.
- Heated mittens are fantastic.
- I live in VT so I do not spend a lot of time outside in the winter anymore. As a downhill skier this has been difficult for me. I can no longer ski on days with temperatures below 35 degrees.
- Gloves in the grocery store – not too tight.
- I often have some pretty bad vasospasms in the later afternoon. A cup of warm tea helps.
In terms of medication, Margaret finds Sildenafil (Viagra) works quite well for her, but she’s still hoping to find better ways to manage stress, another trigger for Raynaud’s attacks. Not to worry Margaret, we could all use some help on better dealing with the stress in our lives!
Winter Bedtime Warming Tips
Marilyn shared with us how she makes winter bedtime warm and comfy:
“I’ve dealt with Raynaud’s for more than 50 years and finally found a way to sleep comfortably when the weather gets cold. I purchased a heated mattress pad — heated blankets didn’t seem to help me. A few hours before bedtime I turn it way up so that it’s toasty warm when I get in; then once I’m comfortable, I turn it down to low. They automatically turn off after 10 hours as a safety measure. However, I was still getting into bed with cold feet unless I wore socks (which I find uncomfortable). I finally found slippers that can be heated in a microwave. Oh joy! I put these on for about an hour before bedtime and can get into bed with warm feet. Now I can finally fall asleep without the challenge of getting comfortable. This combo may not work for or be practical for everyone but it works for me. “
We agree, heated mattress pads are a wonderful thing for those with Raynaud’s! If you’ve got a partner who prefers more of a chill at night, dual controls can save your relationship…
While we’re not familiar with the Warmies® brand of microwaveable slippers that Marilyn discovered, those we’ve tested from CosySoles are heavenly!
Disposable Warmer Safety Tip
Elaine, who is quite the world traveler, sent us a tip about tucking a HotHands® warmer next to her nose under her face mask for extra warmth when visiting Iceland (brrrr!). While glad to see a fellow Frostie find ways to stay warm doing the things they love, we voiced a concern about using disposable warmers directly against the skin.
Elaine took our issue to heart and contacted the manufacturer Kobayashi directly. They confirmed that their warmers are not to be used directly against the skin anywhere on the body except for the palms. We had suggested Elaine consider wear two separate masks and place the warmer in-between, but the manufacturer still states that’s not safe. Here’s their disclaimer:
“Even over a layer, these warmers are not intended to be used on other body parts other than the hands (palms). That could still result in a burn.”
Knowing how indispensable warmers like HotHands® are for those with Raynaud’s, we wanted to share this warning with fellow Frosties. Elaine, thanks so much for checking with the manufacturer and sharing their response.
We appreciate fellow Frosties sharing their Winter 2024 Member Tips with us. What are your ideas? What products work for you? Write to info@raynauds.org, post them on our Facebook page or share them with us on Instagram, Twitter or Threads.
