Hello everyone, i’m a 25 year old male from northern California. The symptoms I’m dealing with began late November 2016. I was exposed to 30 degree weather early in the morning for multiple hours. My hands were unprotected due to my work environment. After a few days of dealing with the cold weather my fingers swelled up. I believed it was a case of the “Chilblains” due to the temperature change and because the heater within my doctors office aggravated my fingers. The inflammation and desire to scratch reached its peak within her office walls. As a result, the doctor prescribed 80mg of prednisone immediately. I discontinued prednisone after the initial dosage due to its side effects. However, the inflammation did decrease. The swollen fingers reappeared after I returned to my cold work environment. As a result, the doctor placed me on medical leave for one week. Knowing that prednisone relieved my symptoms; I began with 80mg. I decreased 20mg every additional day until reaching 20mg on the 4th day. I also applied one coat of Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.5% topical/cream. Within a few days the inflammation disappeared.
I departed to Mexico for the late holidays. My hands were exposed to the 70 degree weather and didn’t experience a single flare. I was able to proceed with my active lifestyle. However, within 2 weeks of being back in the states(30 degree weather) my hands flared again. It was at this occasion that I noticed a pattern, inflammation would strike when my core temperature increased. My symptoms remain calm in the cool weather; however, when the sun reached 60-70 degrees in the afternoon, I would remove myself from work due to the swelling. I also began to notice that my evening workout regimen posed a problem. I found myself removing layers of clothes in order to reach a cool state at night. The cold temperature in northern California led me to Mexico in hope of a stable outcome.
I was in the warm weather(75-83 degrees) for 8 days; however, my symptoms remained. In fact, sun exposure aggravated my fingers. The veins in my arm dilate when i’m under the sun; as a result, a rush of blood enters my fingers. Both hands turn slightly red; however, the fingers on my right hand swell between the joints. I’ve had multiple blood tests (CBC, ANA, ESR, RF, C-Reactive Protein, CMP, Thyroid); all test are within range or negative. I’ve had zero medical issues in the past. The inflammation leads me to experience no pain when walking. However, when I sit in a warm environment my veins dilate and my fingers give off a slight burning sensation. The flaring doesn’t occur in cool weather, it occurs if my body temperature reaches a certain point. I’m able to sleep, my ears and toes don’t experience any flaring.
Also, I’ve been known for being the one who feels “cold” when mostly everyone else feels fine. I’ve done the elimination of foods since we originally believed my symptoms were caused by an allergic reaction. I visited an Allergist today, he ordered five blood tests (C1 E. 297, C1 E 298, C4 353, Cryoglobulin, Complement C3 Serum). He claimed my symptoms aren’t caused by an allergic reaction.
I apologize for the long story. However, I hope we can aid each other.