Raynaud’s Syndrome causes an interruption of blood flow to all extremities including the hands, fingers and toes, when a spasm occurs in the blood vessels of these areas.
Essex-based nail tech, Em Lee of Rebel Nails, and Newport-based nail tech, Kathryn Collins, share their experiences with Raynaud’s, how it affects their work, and their advice for other sufferers…
Em Lee
When did you find out that you had Raynaud’s?
I found out that I had Raynaud’s in 2021. I had experienced the symptoms a few times before then, but I was unsure as to what it actually was. It was only when I spoke with another nail tech friend about it that she explained it was Raynaud’s and that she had it too.
What are your symptoms of Raynaud’s?
My index and middle fingers on my working hand start to tingle, like a pins and needles sensation, and then they go cold and numb. The colour changes to a pale yellow, almost white, from my fingertip down to the second joint in both fingers. The fingers become painful, and it hurts to bend them.
How does this affect your work?
Being in my working hand, it can lead to a delay in starting work, as I need to wait for the colour to return and for the feeling to be restored in my fingers. I tend to get it more after a client when I step outside into the cold, but there have been occasions where I am anxious about a design I’ve been asked to do, and I can get a flare up then, too.
What advice would you give other nail techs with Raynaud’s?
Keep your hands and fingers warm before a client by wrapping your hands around a hot drink, wearing gloves or rubbing your hands together and wiggling the fingers to keep the blood flowing if it’s a cold morning.
I always preheat my studio too, so I know I am not going straight into a cold environment in the morning. If you get a flare up, don’t panic as it will pass, and try to move your fingers to get the blood flow back. If it becomes unmanageable, I’d advise visiting a GP.
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Kathryn Collins
When did you find out that you had Raynaud’s?
I first knew that I had Raynaud’s about 12 years ago. I realised something was wrong with my fingers but I didn’t learn the name of it until a couple of years later. I didn’t know of anyone else that had it. Over the years I think it’s become more well-known, and I now know one or two more people who suffer with it.
What are your symptoms of Raynaud’s?
I get extremely cold hands and lose the blood in my fingers and toes, which causes them to turn white. It does affect my work as the longer the flare up is, the more painful it gets. I then struggle to grip things as I can lose the feeling in my fingers, so things like filing and/or using the e-file can be difficult. Sometimes when the blood flow returns, it feels like intense pins and needles.
I get flare ups multiple times a day in the winter, and this can range from just my fingertips to the majority of my hands, depending on how long I feel cold for. The summer is easier, as then it’s only two to three times a week.
Are your clients understanding?
My clients are very understanding. They don’t mind at all waiting if I have to excuse myself to go and run my hands under warm water for a few minutes.
What advice would you give other nail techs with Raynaud’s?
I’ve been prescribed low dosage blood pressure tablets to take when it gets too much. These help with vasodilation, which is the widening of the blood vessels in my fingers and toes. I’m a very active person which helps. I don’t smoke, and the doctors have also said to avoid caffeinated drinks.
My advice would be to keep your core warm. Wear gloves when outside and keep warm while working and in-between clients. I wear a lot of layers to work and usually have extra socks on and a base layer under my tunic!
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Main image courtesy of @kathryncollins_naillash_artist