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My toe turns white and numb

(2 discussions)

Every six months or so. One of my toes including my middle toe and my pinky toe as well as the toe in between turn white and go numb. If I don’t vigirously massage it under hot water it will turn purple. It doesn’t affect my foot and it only affects one toe at a time. It doesn’t happen in regular intervals (i.e. it could happen once in three months or once in eight months). There is a visible line of where the discoloration starts and stops and it always stops where my toe meets my foot. Any ideas what could be going on? I mentioned it to my family doctor and he said he had no idea what was wrong. I have not been able to show a doctor because it has always happens after the doctors office is closed. It will stay numb untill I massage it under hot water but I am afraid to let it stay that way until the next day. It almost feels as if someone cut off the blood supply to my toe.


2 comments

    Vivian Abrams DPM

    9 10

    This might be Raynaud’s phenomenon. This is aspasm of the small blood vessels, brought on by cold, dampness or even stress. This can be by itself or as part of a larger picture of an auto immune disease. I would suggest a rheumatologist or internist.

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    9 10

    Dr. Abrams,Thank you so much for the quick response. I have been wondering about this for quite some time. It does always seem to happen when my feet are extremely cold. Thank You

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