I am 94 and in the past year have developed sensitive fingertips. They constantly feel cold and I need to wear gloves all the time. What could be wrong with me?. Dr Ellie Cannon replies: Sensitive fingertips may be due to peripheral neuropathy, a condition where the nerves don’t function as they should.
The senses of pain, touch and temperature may go awry. This can result in hyper-sensitivity, pain or, conversely, numbness. Some causes of peripheral neuropathy include vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic alcohol use, or as a long-term consequence of chemotherapy or diabetes.
A GP can assess for these with blood tests and possibly refer patients to hospital for a nerve conduction study. Cold fingertips may be an issue related to the circulation. If it is a nerve problem, there are specific painkillers that focus on treating them.
While we are quite cautious about using these in the elderly, due to increased risk of some side effects, a very low dose may help. Cold fingertips may also be an issue related to the circulation. Raynaud’s is a problem with the blood vessels at the end of the fingers going into spasm. This typically causes colour changes, with the fingers going white and even purple.
Raynaud’s can be related to other conditions, such as arthritis or blood disorders, but it also occurs alone. If you have Raynaud’s it is vital to keep the whole body warm, not just the hands in gloves. So using layered clothing, warm footwear and even a hat is important. You can also get hand-warming devices specifically for sufferers.
