Creative treatments are sometimes the way to handle the phenomenon
by Lisa Weber | September 9, 2022 As I open the door, a burst of hot air covers my arm. Without hesitation, I shove both hands through the opening, allowing the heat to consume my forever-cold fingers. And for a brief moment, my body temporarily relaxes as the frosty aches in my hands dissipate. I pause for as long as possible until the radiating oven heat begins to scorch my skin like the bagel I’m toasting.
Raynaud’s phenomenon (or syndrome), which is a common disorder for those with scleroderma, causes blood vessels in my hands and feet to get confused and contract tightly, restricting blood flow. As a result, there’s little to no circulation and the limbs react as if they’re dying, becoming cold and changing colors from pink to white, then to a lifeless blue-gray.