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Ask HN: How do you deal with cold fingertips when you code?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with cold fingertips when you code?

#11

Post by csydas »

If it's Raynaud's you might want to ask if treatment is appropriate for your case. You're not just getting cold, you have arterial spasms with Raynaud's if I remember correctly, and mayo clinic suggests I do.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disea...

Check the lifestyle and home remedy part for some advice, but it sounds like you just need to plan more breaks and relax your extremities more.

So I'd continue to be checked. There is likely a more specific underlying cause that can be treated. Cold is a factor but it seems based on the condition that you could be coding in a volcano and still have this happen

Edit cause I bumped submit on tablet too soon.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with cold fingertips when you code?

#13

Post by UnpossibleJim »

Well, I'm unfamiliar with Raynaud's phenomenon, but from the larger picture you've painted, this doesn't seem to be a temperature issue and quick fixes, while comforting, don't seem to be hitting the core of the issue. I hate to be "that guy" who gets on the gymkata preaching pulpit (and, yes, that's a very old movie reference), but I work in a computer lab and am generally cold, until I work out. Short, quick cardio in the morning (nothing too strenuous) and either more intense cardio with light weight lifting in the afternoon, or heavy weights and light cardio. I know this sounds like the meatheadiest of meathead posts, but it has really helped me out.... also helps me to keep focus a little better and work of a little frustration. Not all of it, but the sharp, acidic edges seem to fade a bit.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with cold fingertips when you code?

#14

Post by twistedanimator »

I too have struggled with painfully cold fingers and feet while I code. My hypothesis of what is happening is that when you're resting your arms on the table, you are preventing the free flow of blood in your forearms to your hands. Without warm blood reaching your hands, they get very cold. The same thing applies to your feet as the seat you're sitting in constrains blood flow in your legs.

A good short term solution is to fill a paper cup with hot water and wrap your hands around that. This provides temporary relief but only treats the symptom. The effect wears off quickly.

I have also tried fingerless gloves, but those are completely worthless.

The only real solution is to do some light exercise. Most days after I eat lunch, I will walk around for 30 minutes. This light exercise creates heat in my muscles and thereby heats up my blood. The warm blood can also freely circulate to my hands and feet as nothing is constraining the flow of blood. After about 15 minutes of walking I can feel an internal warmth returning to my hands. The skin is still cold but I know soon enough my hands will be warm again. And the effect lasts the rest of the day.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with cold fingertips when you code?

#17

Post by snowcrshd »

twistedanimator wrote: post #14

I too have struggled with painfully cold fingers and feet while I code. My hypothesis of what is happening is that when you're resting your arms on the table, you are preventing the free flow of blood in your forearms to your hands. Without warm blood reaching your hands, they get very cold. The same thing applies to your feet as the seat you're sitting in constrains blood flow in your legs. A good short term solutio…

> A good short term solution is to fill a paper cup with hot water and wrap your hands around that. This provides temporary relief but only treats the symptom. The effect wears off quickly.

+1 for that. Where I work there's a central cooling system at it gets very cold around where I sit. So I periodically grab some hot tea and hold the cup to help heat my hands.

I too do some walking to help increase body temperature and blood flow. It alleviates the symptoms somewhat.

When I work remotely from home, I use a stand up desk setup. I've found that I don't get the cold feeling when I do this.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with cold fingertips when you code?

#18

Post by vidanay »

ant6n wrote: post #8

Some laptops can get really hot...

I have often thought that it would be awesome if my laptop CPU could vent around the keyboard keys instead of out the side. That might help keep my fingers toasty (I experience cold fingers, same as the OP)

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with cold fingertips when you code?

#19

Post by Normal_gaussian »

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Raynauds-phenomenon/Pages/Treat...

Obviously I am not a doctor.

Reading through that suggests either you are a normal case and just need to take your fitness seriously (including keeping stress under control) to improve circulation. You could be an abnormal case and need to look at medication - but as you have already seen a doctor I am going to guess that isn't the case.

For fitness I wholeheartedly recommend https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommend... (vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB3HhP2GYk0&feature=youtu.be ).

The heater suggestions seem like good ideas to treat the symptoms while you work on the cause.

Reporting it to your manager is an interesting question. Personally I wouldn't do anything formal, but I work quite closely with my manager so he would informally know, I also don't have to get permission to use any personal equipment at work - which isn't the case for everyone.

But again, I am not a doctor.

It sounds like a PITA of a condition. I hope it is benign and treatable for you.

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