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White Finger Disease (Raynaud's Phenomenon)

What is it?

Raynaud's Syndrome or White Finger disease is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. Its characteristic attacks result from a constriction of these blood vessels.  It is aggravated with cold exposure because cold abnormally reduces blood circulation causing the skin to becoming pale, waxy-white or purple.

Severe cases cause disability and may force workers to leave their jobs. Although rare, severe cases can lead to breakdown of the skin and gangrene. Less severely affected workers sometimes have to change their social activities and work habits to avoid attacks of white finger.

Damage to either the muscles or nerves that control blood flow may cause Raynaud's phenomenon.  

Causes

Raynaud's phenomenon has many different causes including workplace exposures. Occupationally, it is most commonly associated with "hand-arm vibration syndrome".

Symptoms

• Patients initially notice skin discoloration upon cold exposure. They may also experience mild tingling and numbness of the fingers or other affected digits that will disappear once the color returns to normal. When the blood vessel spasms become more sustained, this can cause pain as well as ulceration at the fingertips
• Ulcerated fingers or toes can become infected and, with continued lack of oxygen, gangrene may set in 
• Tingling and slight loss of feeling or numbness in the fingers, toes, nose or ears
• Blanching or whitening of the fingers, usually without affecting the thumb
• Blue skin that feels cold and numb

Prevention

It's important to know the signs and symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon and the workplace hazards that cause it.

• Protect the hands from damage and extreme temperatures.
• Keep warm at work -- wear gloves and warm clothing when working in the cold.
• Massage and exercise your fingers during your breaks.
• If tingling, numbness or signs of white finger develop, promptly consult a physician.

Precautions with Vibrating Tools

Although significant advances have been made in reducing tool vibration, preventative measures to reduce this hazard are still necessary.

• Anti-vibration tools, anti-vibration gloves, and anti-vibration shields may also help reduce exposure to vibration.
• Reduce the amount of vibration that passes from the tool to the hands by using only well-maintained and properly operating tools, holding vibrating tools as lightly as possible, let the tool do the work, store tools so that they do not have cold handles when next used, use proper job design with scheduled breaks to reduce exposure to vibration
• Rotate repetitive activities and job duties to reduce stress and take frequent breaks throughout the day
• Adjusting an existing lifestyle can control Raynaud's. This may include protection from the cold, avoiding excessive emotional stress, minimizing the use of vibrating tools and wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will provide support during repetitive tasks.
• IMPACTO's anti-vibration Air Gloves are designed to dampen and absorb the shock and vibration and have proven to be an effective means for prevention.

Ref: www.ccohs.ca