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What Causes Brownish Discoloration On Fingertips?
Posted on
Fri, 3 Jul 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 3 Jul 2015
Answered on
Thu, 30 Jul 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My son got up today with a brownish discoloration in his fingertips. What could this be? He's twelve years old.
Brief Answer:
Raynauds phenomenon
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Kindly answer a few questions for me so that I will be in a better position to help you.
Does your child's fingers get cold at the same time they turn brown ?
Are your child's fingers painful when they turn brown ?
Do they turn brown in the cold season ?
Does he have any skin rash or joint pains ?
According to the history you have provided, it appears that your child could be having a Raynauds phenomenon. This is seen in certain children who develop usually white, followed by blue and then red color on exposure to cold. This sequence is usually seen in about 20% of children. Others may show only only or two specific colour changes in episodes to a trigger like cold or emotional stress.
I would advise you to keep his fingers warm by the use of mittens or gloves if they turn cold. Also, watch his body for any sort of rash or try to notice if he has any joint pains. Joint pains could insists Juvenile arthritis and skin rash could instar SLE.
I would advise you to get him seen by a Dermatologist who will do Nail capillary examination to look for any blood vessel disorders, usually seen in Raynauds phenomenon patients. Also a proper examination and necessary investigations will be carried out to determine the correct diagnosis and treat accordingly.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Raynauds phenomenon
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Kindly answer a few questions for me so that I will be in a better position to help you.
Does your child's fingers get cold at the same time they turn brown ?
Are your child's fingers painful when they turn brown ?
Do they turn brown in the cold season ?
Does he have any skin rash or joint pains ?
According to the history you have provided, it appears that your child could be having a Raynauds phenomenon. This is seen in certain children who develop usually white, followed by blue and then red color on exposure to cold. This sequence is usually seen in about 20% of children. Others may show only only or two specific colour changes in episodes to a trigger like cold or emotional stress.
I would advise you to keep his fingers warm by the use of mittens or gloves if they turn cold. Also, watch his body for any sort of rash or try to notice if he has any joint pains. Joint pains could insists Juvenile arthritis and skin rash could instar SLE.
I would advise you to get him seen by a Dermatologist who will do Nail capillary examination to look for any blood vessel disorders, usually seen in Raynauds phenomenon patients. Also a proper examination and necessary investigations will be carried out to determine the correct diagnosis and treat accordingly.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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