Dr. James Schwartz:Hello, we have 5 min so lets get going.. Has the pinky ever been injured? Does it happen only on one hand? Does it happen only when you go outside into the cold? How long does it take to recover?
Customer (name blocked for privacy):It usually only on my right hand.. it hasn't been injured that I know of.. and sometimes it takes up to a few hours for the coldness to go away
Dr. James Schwartz:Does going outside into the cold trigger it?
Customer (name blocked for privacy):no
Dr. James Schwartz:OK, when it gets cold, does it also get numb?
Customer (name blocked for privacy):it does a little,
Dr. James Schwartz:Do you simply sense that it is cold, or when you touch it it feels cold to the hand or fingers that are doing the toughing?
Dr. James Schwartz:touching
Customer (name blocked for privacy):I sense it and I can feel it when I touch it compared to the others
Customer (name blocked for privacy):and it feels cold to both my hand and the other fingers touching it
Dr. James Schwartz:Try this. Press the tip down so that it turns white. Then release. Watch how long it takes to turn pink again. Should be just about 2-3 seconds. Is it slower in the affected finger than the others?
Customer (name blocked for privacy):maybe a second or two.. but not much
Dr. James Schwartz:Well then your circulation is fine. At least at the moment. When your finger is having a cold spell try that experiment again. You can actually get a better view by pressing the nail (if not wearing polish). If the time to turn pink again is significantly longer, then the cold feeling is likely from the blood vessels being constricted for some reason. There is a condition called Reynaud's, but frankly it does not sound like you have that.
Customer (name blocked for privacy):Ok. thank you for your help..
Dr. James Schwartz:You are wecome. Circulation is really the most important condition and yours sounds ok. Other possibbilities are a slight nerve issue, although if it happens only periodically then I am not sure what that might be. The bottom line is that your symptom pattern raises no red flags in my mind for serious health problems.
Customer (name blocked for privacy):It is turning pink alot faster now.. and the coldness has gone away
Dr. James Schwartz:Well then you just have a little spasm of the blood vessels that comes and goes. One of those "Mother Nature aint perfect" conditions. Really nothing to worry about.
Customer (name blocked for privacy):okay.. thank you very much
Dr. James Schwartz:You are most welcome. Take care.