A change in the color of the skin of the fingers, ears or nose due to the cold may be a sign of an autoimmune rheumatic disease. It is the so-called effect or Raynaud’s disease that the experts of the blog “Health and Prevention” analyze.
With the arrival of cold, some rheumatic diseases appear for the first time or worsen. One of the manifestations is a change in skin color, the so-called Raynaud’s phenomenon or disease, which is often associated, or may even be a first symptom, with the development of autoimmune pathologies, such as Sjörgen’s syndrome, scleroderma, lupus, dermatomyositis or rheumatoid arthritis, among others.
“The importance of Raynaud’s disease lies in the fact that it may be the first manifestation of some serious pathologies such as scleroderma or others that belong to the group of so-called ‘systemic autoimmune diseases’”, affirms the Dr. Manuel Romero, head of the Rheumatology service at Hospital Quirónsalud Córdoba.
It is an acute episode of spasm of the small blood vessels in the distal regions of the body, such as the fingers and toes, or that can occur in the nose and ears, he explains.
“This is normally triggered after exposure to cold or stress, as well as other emotions, and is manifested by changes in the coloration of the affected areas,” he adds.
This pathology evolves in three phases, according to this expert, and the first consisting of skin paleness due to vasospasm, followed by a bluish due to suffocation of the tissues and, finally, a phase of skin flushby the arrival of blood again to the tissues.
It can be confused with chilblains
According to this rheumatologist, it is characteristic that, in addition to the color change, the affected area is accompanied by pain and itching, which can be confused with chilblains.
Therefore, remarks Dr. Romero, and given that these symptoms may or may not be associated with a rheumatic disease, it is important to rule it out.
However, it welcomes the fact that it is currently possible to carry out the capillaroscopy testsuitable for this type of situation, in order to establish an early diagnosis.
“Through capillaroscopy, a rapid diagnosis of diseases that cause changes in skin color can be established, which is essential to minimize damage and improve patient prognosis. It is a study technique that allows real-time analysis of skin microcirculation”, explains Dr. Romero.
EFE/Miroslaw TrembeckiA painless test for Raynaud’s disease
In his opinion, this technique represents a “key test” and “very valuable” when diagnosing rheumatic diseases associated with Raynaud’s phenomenon, and also “quickly and precisely”, through observation of the capillary bed of the hands of the patient by a kind of microscope.
Specifically, Dr. Romero maintains that it is a non-invasive, painless test for patients and whose mission is focused on studying the distal periungual capillaries to assess venous microcirculation.
For his part, he Dr. Juan Pablo Baldiviesoresponsible for the specialized consultation in systemic autoimmune diseases of the Rheumatology service of the Hospital Quirónsalud Córdobahighlights that capillaroscopy is a “simple and comfortable test, an accessible method for the patient”, which can be performed in the Rheumatology clinic itself, since the affected areas of the affected person are observed through a kind of microscope, in charge of look for the aforementioned vascular anomalies.
Among other advantages, he also stresses that capillaroscopy is not only useful in the diagnosis of these diseases in adults, as he adds, but it can also be used in the case of children.
“It is used to observe the capillary bed of the patient’s hands, being able to differentiate whether the symptoms are associated with a rheumatic disease or not. The advantage of this test is that it allows, in addition to early diagnosis, periodic follow-up to assess the evolution of the patient”, highlights this rheumatologist.
Early diagnosis is the key
Dr. Baldivieso also stresses that establishing a correct diagnosis in rheumatic diseases is essential because, depending on the disease, and whether its cause is discovered, the success of the treatments will be greater or less, more effective if the disease is diagnosed in its early stages.
When dealing with Raynaud’s phenomenon or disease, the doctor assures that the means to prevent and protect us from the cold are very important, as well as those measures that can help us take care of our skin, apart of course from taking those medications that have been prescribed by a physician specializing in the field, in this case a rheumatologist.