It means (essentially, when she is cold or stressed her extremities turn red, purple, blue or white. When she is hot she turns red.) I have seen her every shade, and have mistaken this for sunburn as well.
Raynaud’s Disease or Primary Raynaud’s exists when there does not appear to be an underlying disorder. The terms Raynaud’s Phenomenon, Raynaud’s Syndrome or Secondary Raynaud’s are used when there is an underlying disorder.
It is extremely rare for a child to have this. It is not deadly or life threatening as Primary Raynaud's. It is however, extremely uncomfortable for her. It acts up in the pool, even in the heat of the summer, when she gets out of the bath, outside in the winter, or even on a cold day.
Think when you where a child. You most likely have played out in the snow for a very long time. Your fingers where red, toes where frozen (not literally) and when you went back in, it hurt for a minute. That is how she feels, a lot. She is too big for wearable blankets, and kicks off her blankets and socks at night. Her feet turn blue. I hate the summer for her. Air conditioned buildings flare her up. Also, as I learned on Sunday night, an epi-pen can flare her up. The combo of the stress of the allergic reaction, and the epi-pen, made her toes turn white.
I am trying to learn how I can prevent flare ups for her. So far there really isn't much on it, other than scary warnings about secondary Raynauds... which could mean an autoimmune disease. I don't want to think about that. Hubby and I spoke with her doctor yesterday about the matter, and he said we don't have anything to worry about. It is still scary though.
I know that even in the summer I will have to carry a pair of pants and a sweater or sweatshirt for her, depending on where we go. It is not that difficult to deal with, but I feel like just another thing to add to her plate.
Thanks for reading!
-Mama H.
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