Winter Hand and Foot Coldness Issues in the UK and How to Improve Them英國天氣寒冷冬天手腳冰冷問題及改善方法

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在寒冷作用下，手腳會感到冰冷，甚至變白。這種情況通常是由寒冷引起的血管反應或皮膚損傷所致，並且在寒冷季節或長時間暴露於寒冷和潮濕的環境中較為常見。通常是因為血管收縮或血管痙攣所造成，限制了血液流向四肢，這是身體對寒冷的自然反應。因寒冷引起的手腳問題中最常見的兩種是 ：

In cold weather, hands and feet can feel cold and even turn white. This is usually caused by blood vessel reactions or skin damage due to the cold, and it is more common in cold seasons or when exposed to cold and damp environments for a long time. It typically happens because blood vessels constrict or spasm, limiting blood flow to the limbs. This is a natural response of the body to cold. The two most common issues caused by the cold in hands and feet are:

1. 雷諾病 Raynaud’s Disease

雷諾病是一種由於血管異常收縮導致的疾病，通常在寒冷或壓力環境下發生。血管會過度收縮，限制血液流向手指、腳趾及其他末端部位，從而造成局部缺氧，導致這些部位變白或發紫，並伴隨著麻木、刺痛和灼熱感。

• 症狀：手指、腳趾變白或發紫，隨著血流恢復，顏色變紅並伴隨灼熱感。通常在寒冷或壓力下加重，且症狀通常是間歇性的。

• 風險群：雷諾病更常見於女性，特別是年輕女性，且有時與自身免疫性疾病（如紅斑狼瘡）相關。

Raynaud's disease is a condition caused by abnormal blood vessel constriction, usually occurring in cold or stressful situations. The blood vessels constrict too much, which limits blood flow to the fingers, toes, and other extremities. This causes a lack of oxygen in those areas, making them turn white or purple, and can be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation.

• Symptoms: Fingers and toes may turn white or purple. As blood flow returns, the color changes to red and is often accompanied by a burning sensation. Symptoms usually worsen in cold or stressful conditions and tend to come and go.

• At-risk groups: Raynaud's disease is more common in women, especially younger women, and can sometimes be linked to autoimmune diseases like lupus.

  
  

2. 涷瘡 Chilblains / 涷傷 Frostbite

涷瘡是由寒冷和潮濕引起的皮膚發炎，通常發生在暴露於寒冷的環境中，末梢部位的血液供應會大大減少，導致手腳變冷、蒼白。當從寒冷環境中進入較溫暖的地方時，血管會突然擴張，讓血液重新流向之前受限的末梢部位。這種快速的血管擴張在某些情況下可能無法及時適應，導致血流不穩定或過多的血液流入受冷影響的部位，造成局部的血管破裂、血液滯留和局部發炎而形成涷瘡。涷瘡會導致皮膚紅腫、瘙癢、發癢，並在嚴重情況下可能出現水泡或潰爛。

• 症狀：手指和腳趾的紅腫、瘙癢和發癢，並且可能出現紫藍色的斑點或水泡。這些症狀通常在寒冷的環境中惡化，並在回暖後變得更加明顯。

• 風險群：易受寒冷影響的群體（如血液循環不良、免疫功能較弱的人）容易患有涷瘡。

Chilblains are skin inflammations caused by cold and damp conditions, usually occurring when exposed to cold environments. The blood supply to the extremities is significantly reduced, causing the hands and feet to become cold and pale. When moving from a cold environment to a warmer place, the blood vessels suddenly expand, allowing blood to flow back into the previously restricted areas. This rapid blood vessel expansion may not adjust quickly enough in some cases, leading to unstable blood flow or an excessive amount of blood entering the cold-affected areas, causing blood vessel rupture, blood pooling, and local inflammation, which forms chilblains. Chilblains can cause redness, swelling, itching, and in severe cases, blisters or ulcers.

• Symptoms: Redness, swelling, itching, and possible purple-blue spots or blisters on the fingers and toes. These symptoms usually worsen in cold environments and become more noticeable after warming up.

• At-risk groups: People who are more sensitive to cold, such as those with poor circulation or weaker immune systems, are more likely to develop chilblains.

  
  

3. 常見症狀：Common symptoms:

• 局部紅腫

• 痛感或發癢

• 有時會變成紫色或藍色斑點

• 在嚴重情況下，可能會出現水泡或潰爛

• Local redness and swelling

• Pain or itching

• Sometimes turns into purple or blue spots

• In severe cases, blisters or ulcers may appear

  
  

4. 引發因素：Triggering factors:

• 寒冷、潮濕的環境

• 穿著不當的衣物，導致局部血液循環受阻

• 過度暴露於寒冷的空氣中

• 血液循環不良或身體本身容易受寒的情況（如老年人、血管疾病患者等）

• Cold and damp environments

• Wearing inappropriate clothing that restricts local blood circulation

• Prolonged exposure to cold air

• Poor circulation or conditions that make the body more susceptible to cold (such as older adults, people with vascular diseases, etc.)

  
  

5. 預防方法：Prevention:

• 穿著保暖、透氣的衣物，尤其是手腳部位。

• 避免在寒冷的天氣中長時間暴露。

• 若雙腳或雙手感到冰冷，應避免立刻進入溫暖的環境，而是逐漸讓其回暖。

• 保持良好的血液循環，注意保持身體溫暖。

• Wear warm and breathable clothing, especially for the hands and feet.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to cold weather.

• If your hands or feet feel cold, avoid going into a warm environment suddenly; instead, let them warm up gradually.

• Maintain good blood circulation and keep the body warm.

  
  

最常用的順勢療法療劑：Most commonly used homeopathic remedies: 

Photo from Helios

AGARICUS:

• 治療凍傷和凍瘡的特定療劑，可優先考慮使用。尤其是當患處出現深色、紫色或鮮紅色的斑點，伴隨針刺般的刺痛，咬痛、和癢感，並且部位紅腫，灼熱、且有如被凍住的感覺。此外，該療劑對於有明顯發疹週期性的後天性或遺傳性凍瘡也十分有效。

• Specific remedies for treating frostbite and chilblains can be considered as a priority, especially when the affected areas show dark, purple, or bright red spots, along with needle-like stinging, biting pain, and itching, and the area is red, swollen, burning, and feels like it is frozen. This remedy is also very effective for acquired or hereditary chilblains with a clear periodic rash cycle.

Photo from Helios

PULSATILLA:

• 這療劑常用於治療凍瘡及其他靜脈血液循環不良問題，症狀表現為患處呈深紅色或帶藍色，伴隨刺痛和灼熱感。症狀通常在下午和晚上加劇，且在暖空氣中變得更糟，受熱時加重；然而，涼風吹拂下會有所緩解。症狀變化不定。

• This remedy is commonly used to treat chilblains and other venous circulation problems. The symptoms are often deep red or bluish in the affected areas, with stinging and burning sensations. Symptoms typically worsen in the afternoon and evening, and become worse in warm air or when heated. However, they improve with cool air. Symptoms can vary.

Photo from Wiki

PETROLEUM

• 濕性凍瘡，出現在手部、腳跟和腳趾，並伴有濕氣。患處可能出現發紫情況，並且腫脹劇烈，紅腫，起水泡。凍瘡部位感覺癢、灼熱，像火燒般的灼熱感和癢感，全身感到寒冷和痕癢，佯隨患處灼熱感同時出現。

• For moist chilblains, they appear on the hands, heels, and toes, often with moisture. The affected areas may show purple discolouration, with severe swelling, redness, and blisters. The chilblains feel itchy, burning, like a fiery sensation, and itchy all over the body. The cold feeling throughout the body occurs along with the burning and itching in the affected areas.

  
  

為了幫助保持身體溫暖，通過飲食、運動和生活習慣的調整，可以參考以下建議：To help keep your body warmer through diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices, consider these tips:

1. 食用暖性食物：專注於那些天然具有暖身效果的食物，如湯、燉菜和辛辣食物。像是生薑、大蒜、肉桂和辣椒等食材，有助於促進血液循環並使身體保持溫暖。

   Eat warming foods: Focus on foods that are naturally warming, such as soups, stews, and spicy dishes. Ingredients like ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and chilli peppers can help stimulate circulation and warm the body.

2. 飲用溫暖飲品：喝溫暖的飲料，如草本茶、檸檬熱水或溫湯，有助於從內部保持身體的溫暖。避免過多飲用冷飲。

   Drink warm liquids: Drinking warm beverages like herbal teas, hot water with lemon, or warm broths can help keep your body warm from the inside.

3. 避免食用寒性或生冷食物：食用過多寒性或生冷食物（如沙律或冷飲）會使身體變冷。在寒冷天氣下，盡量減少這些食物的攝入。

   Avoid cold and raw foods: Eating too many cold or raw foods (like salads or cold drinks) can cool the body down. Try to limit these, especially in colder weather.

4. 增加蛋白質攝入：高蛋白的食物，如瘦肉、魚類、蛋和豆類，有助於提升新陳代謝，讓你保持溫暖。

   Increase protein intake: Foods high in protein, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, and beans, help boost metabolism and keep you feeling warmer.

5. 選擇全穀類食物：像燕麥、糙米和藜麥等全穀類食物可以提供穩定的能量和溫暖，幫助穩定血糖，保持體內溫度均衡。

   Choose whole grains: Whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa provide steady energy and warmth. They help stabilize your blood sugar and keep your body temperature more even.

6. 加入健康脂肪：健康的脂肪來源，如堅果、種子、牛油果和橄欖油，幫助維持身體的能量和溫暖。

   Include healthy fats: Healthy fats, such as those from nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil, help to maintain energy and warmth in the body.

7. 保持水分：脫水會使你感到更冷。確保喝足夠的液體，但選擇溫暖的飲品，而不是冷飲。

   Stay hydrated: Dehydration can make you feel colder. Make sure to drink enough fluids, but opt for warm drinks instead of cold ones.

8. 定期運動：運動能促進血液循環，幫助身體保持溫暖。步行、慢跑、瑜伽或力量訓練等活動對改善循環和產生內部熱量很有幫助。即使是輕微的運動，如進食，也能有助於保持溫暖。

   Exercise regularly: Physical activity increases blood circulation and helps warm the body. Activities like walking, jogging, yoga, or strength training are great for improving circulation and generating internal heat. Even light exercises can make a difference in keeping you warm.

9. 避免在手腳冰冷時使用熱水洗澡或洗手：當你的手腳感到冰冷時，避免使用非常熱的水來快速加熱它們，如熱水澡或熱水洗手。快速加熱會使血管過度擴張，可能增加凍瘡的風險。相反，應該讓手腳在舒適的溫暖環境中逐漸回暖。這樣有助於安全改善循環，減少引發凍瘡的機會。

   Avoid hot baths or hot water washing during cold hands and feet: When your hands or feet are cold, avoid using very hot water to warm them up, such as hot baths or washing with hot water. Rapid warming can cause blood vessels to expand too quickly, which may increase the risk of developing chilblains. Instead, warm up your hands and feet gradually in a comfortable, lukewarm environment. This helps improve circulation safely and reduces the chances of triggering chilblains.

   
   

避免長時間暴露於寒冷或潮濕的環境中，並保持手腳溫暖和乾燥，是預防手腳涷傷的有效方法。和任何健康治療方法一樣，了解順勢療法是否適合你，最好與專業的醫療保健人員進行討論。

Avoid staying in cold or damp environments for long periods, and keep your hands and feet warm and dry. This is an effective way to prevent frostbite or chilblains. As with any health treatment, it's best to talk to a healthcare professional to see if homeopathy is right for you.