Do your hands turn ice cold in even the slightest chill, or change to white, blue or purple? If so, you might be among the five per cent of the general population experiencing Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). The syndrome is characterized by episodes of decreased blood flow to the extremities–most commonly fingers, but sometimes toes, too. For winter runners exposed to cold temperatures but wary of overdressing, RP can be an especially frustrating challenge.
The primary type of RP, which develops between the ages of 15 and 30, is most common, but has no known cause. Secondary RP develops around age 40, and is more serious–it can be linked to autoimmune disorders such as lupus or scleroderma. If you suspect you have RP, it’s a good idea to see your doctor to ensure it’s not indicative of an underlying health condition.
Primary RP is most common among women, people living in colder climates and individuals with a family history of the condition. The most noticeable sign of RP is the dramatic change in skin colour, but it’s often accompanied by numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and fingers. It’s pretty easy to spot the runner with RP in a group–they’ll be the only one wearing gloves while still running comfortably in shorts and a T-shirt.
Runners already struggle with frozen hands in the winter; it’s hard to perfect the number of layers you should wear when it’s freezing out, but you’re drenched in sweat. Unfortunately, throwing on a big pair of mittens as soon as the temperature dips below 10 C isn’t a realistic solution for runners who need to balance warmth with comfort and mobility. Overheated hands can leave your mittens damp and uncomfortable, and as the sweat dries, it makes your hands even colder–not to mention, the bulky accessory is very impractical for accessing your phone or watch mid-workout.
Tips for surviving winter
- Stash a pair of inexpensive, throw-away gloves in your workout bag for those unexpected temperature drops–they’re great for chilly grocery store aisles, too.
- Layer thin gloves under your chunky mittens so you can access your phone or watch without being directly exposed to the cold air. (Bonus points if they’re touchscreen-compatible.)
- Put extra, dry mittens or gloves in your jacket pocket in case your first pair get sweaty and cold. (Packing a pair of hand warmers wouldn’t hurt, either.)
- Take a hot shower as soon as you are finished your cold-weather workout to eliminate the chill.
