Fingers that change color upon pressure

Alternative names:

blanching of the fingers

Definition:

Fingers that turn pale when exposed to cold or stress. Blanching means to become pale; whereas cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes from lack of oxygen.

Considerations:

Raynaud's Disease or syndrome may cause sudden change in the finger color.

Common causes:

• arterial insufficiency or spasms of arteries that supply blood to the fingers and toes
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• necrotizing vasculitis
• scleroderma
• use of vibrating equipment

Note: There may be other causes of blanching of the fingers. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for blanching of the fingers, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.