A cure for cold hands?

My little finger and the next two pads went numb for about a week and a half after a cold cold day on thanksgiving weekend. They were all white (no pink) was that frostbite? It was the first time that my hands had been "that" cold that I can recall. Buy stock in the hand warmers, I think they work well. I like the concept of the battery powered gloves and socks, however they seem to need more r&d in the battery department. I bet Li-Ion batteries could be applied in a more effective/efficient manner.

Here, where I live in the southeast, I put my hands on the cold rock until they're num. Then after the capillaries have opened up in my hands, I warm them back up. Hot Hands hand warmers work well. I'm usually good to go then...., but thats me.

kirra wrote: Kevin thanks for the heads-up on the sin-o'men. Wonder what kind I've been using from the coffee shops counters *gasp* ): fyi wiki has some pictures & more descriptions. I second the Ginseng option, shot-viles sometimes available at check-out counters

Kirra,

I recently found out and was disappointed since I love it and was buying the big container at Sams.

All cinnamon in this country is cassia, the variety that is hard on your liver and kidneys if consumed in large quantities for long periods of time. Even if the amount I am using might be too low to cause problems, I am not taking any chances.

The only place to buy Ceylon cinnamon that I have found is online in the form of bark rolls. Maybe a coffee grinder for turning it into powder, but I will research further when I have time to order online.

Cinnamon is extremely high in anti-oxidants. 3.5 ounces has an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) value of 260,000 compared to Blueberries at 6000. Of course, 3.5 ounces of cinnamon will last a month or two, but the ORAC value is an important reason to get the Ceylon variety so that larger ammounts can be consumed.

Back to cold hands, try cayenne capsules. A side effect is that it will help you prevent colds since it will make your lungs healthier. Fresh hot peppers will also help your lungs. (There has been scientific research that indicates this.) From my experience, I have noticed a definite resistance to colds when I eat cayenne and hot peppers.

o.k. Kevin ~ I just ran a quick check. I have only purchased in bottle or in bulk from these folks at Frontier Spices - will check the genus-name next time

available at all Whole Wallet & Vitamin Cottage stores (bulk only at WW) ~ Outside of grinding my own, it may be more trustworthy than Sam's. I may add my own spice to-xpresso from now on ~thx again..!

Kirra,

I called Frontier, and their powdered is cassia. I can't remember if they have Ceylon bark rolls.

I searched at Whole Foods and Vitamin Cottage in the Fort, and neither had any form of Ceylon.

I better go, have to get up early.

Stay Warm!

Put on some gloves, go skiing!

Cody Cook wrote:Weird. All that said, my strategy is to not fight it, let the hands go through their cycle early on, and then I'm golden for the remainder of the time that I'm out in the cold. Can't explain it, but it works for me. I guess the vessels or capillaries need to get opened up or something.

Cody -- that is just what happens to me. And every doctor I've seen has told me its Reynauds. Yeah -- I'm also very glad once they are through it.

I think the most they hurt is when I'm having to crank on sharp rock very hard outdoors in early spring with numb fingers and they end up getting cut up because I can't tell how hard to grasp the holds.

I have Renaulds as well. I find it is triggered by moisture. I suggest bringing lots of extra pairs of inner gloves to go in your main gloves. As soon as the inserts get wet, from sweat or running water switch them out when you are belaying. You can also train your hands to have better circulation by putting your hands in cold water for a few minutes than immerse them in hot water for a few minutes. Alternate for a few cycles. Also it is important to keep your core warm, but on the biggest down jacket that will fit in your pack to wear on the belays.