Support for Raynaud’s in Your Hands

Understanding Raynaud’s and the Role of Layered Gloves

Living with Raynaud’s means having to think about your hands more than most people do. Simple changes in temperature, a light draught or handling something cold can quickly turn fingers white, painful or numb. This section explains Raynaud’s in clear terms, why temperature control matters so much, and how a layered glove approach can support day‑to‑day comfort as part of a sensible plan.

Is it Raynaud’s or “just cold hands”?

Many people go years thinking they simply have “poor circulation” or “cold hands”, without realising how closely their experience matches Raynaud’s.It may be Raynaud’s if you recognise some of the following:

• Fingers turning very pale or patchy white, sometimes with clear lines between affected and unaffected areas
• Fingers changing colour much more dramatically than the rest of you, even when others say “it’s not that cold”
• A tingling, throbbing or burning sensation as your hands start to warm back up
• Fingers feeling clumsy or stiff so that tasks like fastening buttons, using keys or typing become awkward
• Episodes being brought on by fairly small triggers – such as holding a chilled drink, stepping briefly into a cool room or touching a cold steering wheel

If this picture feels familiar, it is worth understanding a little more about what is happening inside the fingers.

What is Raynaud’s?

Raynaud’s is a condition that affects the small blood vessels, most often in the fingers and toes. During an episode (often called a “Raynaud’s attack”), these vessels tighten suddenly and more strongly than they should. As blood flow is reduced, the affected areas can:

• Turn pale or white
• Then sometimes bluish or purple
• Before becoming red as circulation returns

Alongside these colour changes, many people notice:

• Numbness or loss of feeling
• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• A burning, throbbing or aching sensation as the fingers warm back up
• Stiffness that makes finer tasks more difficult

Episodes can last from a few minutes to much longer. They often feel out of proportion to the temperature other people are experiencing, which can be frustrating and isolating.Although this page focuses on the hands, similar changes can sometimes occur in the toes, and more rarely in the tip of the nose or ears. The same principles of warmth and avoiding sudden cold apply in those areas too.

What happens inside the fingers?

Inside each finger are tiny arteries that carry warm blood from the hand towards the skin. In Raynaud’s, these arteries over‑react to certain triggers, especially cold and stress. They tighten sharply, narrowing the channel that blood can flow through.When this happens:

• Blood flow to the skin surface drops
• The skin can quickly turn white or patchy as less blood reaches it
• If the spasm is strong or prolonged, the fingers may look bluish as the remaining blood gives up its oxygen
• When the vessels finally relax and reopen, blood rushes back in, causing redness, warmth and often throbbing or discomfort

This “stop–start” pattern of blood flow explains the sudden colour changes and the painful sensations as fingers warm again. The aim of everyday care is to reduce how often the vessels are pushed into this over‑reactive state, and to help the fingers return to a comfortable temperature more smoothly when episodes do occur.

Primary and secondary Raynaud’s

Raynaud’s is usually grouped into two main types:

• Primary Raynaud’s This is the more common form. Raynaud’s occurs on its own, without being linked to another diagnosed condition. Symptoms can still be uncomfortable and disruptive, but there is usually less risk of long‑term tissue damage.
• Secondary Raynaud’s In this type, Raynaud’s is associated with another condition, often involving the immune system or connective tissue. Secondary Raynaud’s can carry a higher risk of complications, such as sores or ulcers on the fingertips, and needs careful medical assessment and monitoring.

Only a doctor can determine which type is present. It is particularly important to seek medical advice if:

• Attacks are frequent, severe or worsening
• Pain is intense or long‑lasting
• Ulcers, sores or changes in the skin develop on the fingers or toes
• One hand, one side or a single finger is affected much more than the others
• There are other symptoms elsewhere in the body, such as joint pain, unexplained fatigue or rashes

Gloves and self‑care strategies can help support comfort, but they do not replace proper medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment.

What tends to trigger Raynaud’s?

For many people, cold exposure is the main trigger. However, it is not only obvious winter weather that causes trouble. Episodes may be brought on by:

• A cool breeze on otherwise mild days
• Brief contact with cold surfaces, such as steering wheels, door handles, tools or metal railings
• Entering a cooler or air‑conditioned space from a warmer area
• Holding chilled items from the fridge or freezer
• Moving from a warm bath or shower into a cooler room
• Periods of stress, anxiety or sudden emotional upset, sometimes even when the temperature is fairly neutral

Because the vessels in Raynaud’s are primed to over‑react, relatively small changes can be enough to set off an episode. Keeping the hands protected from sharp temperature shifts and direct cold contact often makes more difference than simply wearing very thick gloves on the coldest days.

Why temperature control matters so much

In Raynaud’s, the blood vessels in the fingers and toes react more strongly than usual to cold or stress. Instead of narrowing gently, they can clamp down quickly. This shift can happen when:

• Cold air reaches the bare skin of the fingers
• Wind or dampness strips heat away faster than the body can replace it
• Fingers are pressed against something cold, such as metal or glass
• A warm finger is suddenly exposed to much cooler air

Once the vessels have tightened, the colour changes and sensations will usually follow. Helping the fingers avoid these sudden temperature drops, and reducing how deeply they cool, can therefore:

• Lower the number of attacks triggered by everyday activities
• Make episodes that do occur less intense
• Help fingers recover more comfortably afterwards

Good temperature control also includes keeping the hands dry where possible. Moisture on the skin pulls heat away more quickly, making cold feel sharper. If gloves or liners become damp, changing to a dry pair can make a noticeable difference.

How gloves can help with Raynaud’s in the hands

Gloves cannot change the underlying tendency of blood vessels to over‑react. However, they can play an important role in everyday management by:

• Shielding the skin from cold air and wind By covering the fingers, gloves reduce direct contact with cold, draughts and damp.
• Smoothing out temperature changes A fabric layer means the skin does not feel the full impact of a sudden change from warm to cold, which can make a Raynaud’s attack less likely.
• Helping hands hold onto warmth between episodes Insulating layers can reduce the build‑up of deep chill in the fingers over time.
• Making it easier to touch cold items without a severe reaction With appropriate gloves on, brief handling of cooler objects is often better tolerated.

Gloves sit alongside other sensible steps such as keeping the rest of the body warm, staying active, managing stress where possible and following any medical advice or prescribed treatment. Their role is practical and day to day: cutting down how often cold and rapid temperature changes hit your fingers, and helping attacks that do happen feel easier to manage.

Why layering makes particular sense for Raynaud’s

Layering clothing is a familiar way to stay warm: a base layer, a jumper, then a coat if needed. The same principle works especially well for hands affected by Raynaud’s.A layered glove approach allows you to adjust protection as conditions change, instead of relying on a single pair that may be too hot in one setting and not warm enough in another.Layering helps because:

• A base layer worn directly against the skin can:
  • Provide a light, continuous layer of insulation
  • Help hands retain their own natural warmth
  • Reduce the “shock” of cool air or surfaces on bare fingers
• An outer thermal layer can:
  • Shield from wind, cold air and damp
  • Trap the warmth coming from your hands and any base layer
  • Give a steadier, more comfortable feel around the fingers

Compared with one very thick glove that may feel bulky and be taken off frequently, layering offers flexibility:

• Indoors or in milder cold, a base layer alone is often enough.
• In colder or windy conditions, adding a thermal outer layer over the base gives stronger protection.
• If you warm up or move into a warmer space, the outer layer can be removed while the base layer remains in place, so hands are not suddenly bare.

This is the thinking behind the RevitaFit glove range:

• Gentle glove liners – a soft, non‑restrictive base layer designed for regular wear and for use under thermal gloves.
• Thermal gloves – a protective outer layer for colder, windier or damp conditions.
• Heat therapy gloves – a separate option, used on their own, for short periods of targeted warmth during more challenging episodes.

Glove liners and thermal gloves are intended to work together or individually, depending on the situation. Heat therapy gloves are not for layering, but for specific times when a focused dose of warmth is needed, usually at home.

How gloves fit into looking after Raynaud’s more broadly

The most effective approach to Raynaud’s usually combines several elements:

• Medical assessment and any prescribed medication or investigations
• General measures to stay warm, such as layering clothing, keeping the core warm and choosing suitable footwear and socks
• Reducing direct exposure of hands and feet to cold where possible
• Allowing regular short breaks to warm up during longer periods in cool conditions
• Techniques to help manage stress, where this is a trigger
• Practical steps such as using appropriate gloves and, in some cases, other warming products

RevitaFit gloves are designed to support the practical, everyday side of this approach. They are:

• Comfort‑focused – intended to be soft, flexible and suitable for regular wear.
• Layer‑friendly – with liners that sit comfortably under outer thermal gloves.
• Supportive rather than restrictive – designed to help protect hands from cold and reduce the impact of triggers, not to provide tight medical compression.

It is important to keep expectations realistic:

• Gloves cannot prevent every episode.
• They will not address any underlying health condition that may be linked to secondary Raynaud’s.
• They can, however, help hands stay warmer, make triggers easier to manage and support a greater sense of control over day‑to‑day comfort.

Many people find that once they have a reliable glove plan in place – for example, liners indoors, liners plus thermal gloves for outdoor time, and heat therapy gloves reserved for tougher episodes – the day feels less dominated by worries about what the cold might do to their hands.In the next section, the focus shifts to how to choose and use each type of RevitaFit glove in more detail, and how to combine them for different triggers and routines.

Choosing and Using RevitaFit Gloves for Your Raynaud’s

Every person’s Raynaud’s behaves a little differently. Some mainly struggle outdoors in cold weather, others find that a cool office, air conditioning or handling chilled items is enough to trigger an episode. This section helps match the RevitaFit glove options to real situations in daily life, and explains how to use them in a clear, practical way.

Step 1: Notice your main Raynaud’s triggers

Before deciding which gloves to rely on most, it helps to notice when your hands usually act up. Common patterns include:

• Mostly indoor triggers
  • Air‑conditioned offices or shops
  • Working at a cold desk, keyboard or countertop
  • Handling chilled food or drinks
  • Moving from a warm bath or shower into a cooler room
• Mostly outdoor and weather‑related triggers
  • Walking the dog, commuting or shopping in cold or windy weather
  • Standing for long periods at outdoor events or watching sport
  • Working in unheated or draughty spaces, such as garages, sheds or workshops
• Mixed triggers through the day
  • Regularly moving between warm and cool rooms
  • Short but frequent trips outside
  • Going in and out of shops or transport
• Episodes that linger or cause deep aching
  • Fingers taking a long time to re‑warm
  • Ongoing stiffness or soreness after an attack, even once colour has returned

Once you have a sense of your usual triggers, it becomes easier to decide where to start: with a base layer, an outer layer, heat therapy, or a combination.

Step 2: How each RevitaFit glove type is designed to be used

Gentle Glove Liners – Everyday base layer

Most useful when:

• Indoors at work or home, especially in cooler or air‑conditioned rooms
• Worn under other gloves outdoors in cold or windy weather
• Bulky gloves are disliked, but bare hands quickly become cold

How they help:RevitaFit glove liners sit softly and closely against the skin, with a snug, non‑restrictive fit. They are not intended to provide strong, medical‑grade compression. Liners:

• Add a thin, continuous layer of insulation directly on the skin
• Help hands retain their own natural warmth
• Make temperature changes feel less abrupt on bare fingers
• Sit comfortably under thermal gloves without feeling bulky or bunched

Because the fabric is slim and flexible, many people can type, write and use a phone while wearing liners. Simply avoiding bare‑handed contact with cool air, desks and objects can make a noticeable difference to how often episodes are triggered.Practical tips for using glove liners:

• Put liners on before you expect to feel cold – for example, as you start the working day in a cool office, or before leaving the house. It is easier to keep fingers warm than to re‑warm them once they are already chilled.
• Keep a pair where cold is common for you – on the desk, in a coat pocket or in a bag – so they are easy to slip on when needed.
• If liners become damp from sweat, weather or tasks involving water, change into a dry pair as soon as you can. Damp fabric pulls heat away from the skin more quickly.
• In colder weather, wear liners underneath thermal gloves when going outside, then remove only the outer thermal layer first when back in a warmer space, keeping the liners on if the room is still cool.

Thermal Gloves – Outer shield for colder conditions

Most useful when:

• Walking, commuting or shopping in cold, windy or damp weather
• Spending time in unheated or draughty spaces such as garages, sheds or workshops
• Hands will be out in the cold for more than a brief spell

How they help:Thermal gloves are designed to act as a protective outer layer. They:

• Trap warmth generated by your hands and, if worn, the glove liners
• Shield the skin from direct exposure to cold air, wind and light rain
• Help maintain a warmer, steadier feel around the fingers

By slowing heat loss from the hands, thermal gloves may reduce the chance that fingers cool to the point where the blood vessels clamp down and set off a Raynaud’s attack.Wearing thermal gloves alone or with liners:

• On their own Helpful in cool but not extreme conditions, shorter outdoor trips, or for those with milder Raynaud’s.
• With glove liners underneath Recommended for colder weather, windy days, damp conditions, longer outdoor time or when Raynaud’s is easily triggered. The liners provide a gentle base of insulation; the thermal gloves add stronger protection over the top.

Practical tips for using thermal gloves:

• Put thermal gloves on before stepping into cold or windy conditions, rather than waiting until hands already feel numb.
• Combine them with glove liners when temperatures are lower or when exposure will be longer, such as dog walking, commuting or outdoor work.
• If hands start to feel too warm and sweaty, briefly remove the outer thermal layer in a safe, warmer place to allow a small amount of cooling. Put them back on before going back out into the cold.
• Keep a pair in places where you are often caught out by the weather, such as by the front door or in a bag, so they are to hand when needed.

Heat Therapy Gloves – Targeted comfort for challenging episodes

Most useful when:

• Fingers feel deeply chilled and are slow to warm, even after coming indoors
• There is throbbing, aching or stiffness after an episode
• You are resting at home and want a short period of focused warmth

How they help:Heat therapy gloves are not intended for all‑day wear or for layering with other gloves. Instead, they are designed as a focused comfort option for limited periods. When warmed according to the instructions supplied with the product, they:

• Surround the hands with steady, gentle heat
• Help ease the intense cold or “burning” discomfort that can follow some episodes
• Support relaxation as the fingers return to a more comfortable temperature

Heat therapy gloves are usually used while seated or resting, not while driving or carrying out tasks that require a firm grip.Practical tips for using heat therapy gloves:

• Always follow the specific heating and wearing guidance that comes with the product, including recommended times and methods.
• Before putting them on, check that the temperature feels comfortable on a less sensitive area of skin. This is particularly important if finger sensation is reduced.
• Use them in a safe position where you do not need your hands for tasks such as cooking, driving or using tools.
• Allow the gloves to cool fully before reheating, and do not heat them beyond the stated guidance.

If there is any uncertainty about using heat on the hands – for example due to reduced sensation, a known circulation problem or another medical condition – it is sensible to seek advice from a doctor or physiotherapist before using heat‑based products.

Step 3: Building glove combinations for everyday situations

To make these options more practical, the following examples show how different RevitaFit gloves can be matched to common situations. Use them as a guide and then adjust based on how your hands respond.

Scenario A: Working in a cool office or study

Typical challenges:Cool or air‑conditioned rooms, metal desks or keyboards, long periods of sitting still.One simple approach:

• Wear glove liners as a base layer while working, especially if you know your hands cool quickly at the desk.
• Keep thermal gloves nearby and put them on over the liners when going outside, for example during breaks or on the way home.
• If hands feel deeply cold or uncomfortable after a long day, use heat therapy gloves at home for short periods to restore comfort, following the product instructions.

Scenario B: Commuting and short trips in cold weather

Typical challenges:Walking to transport, waiting on cold platforms, holding cold handrails or steering wheels.One simple approach:

• Put glove liners on before leaving home, so fingers are not exposed to the first blast of cold air.
• Add thermal gloves over the liners for the journey, especially in wind, rain or frost.
• As you move indoors, remove only the thermal layer first. Keep the liners on if the building or transport feels cool, taking them off later if hands remain comfortable.

Scenario C: Longer outdoor activities or dog walking

Typical challenges:Continuous exposure to cold and wind, difficulty warming back up once chilled.One simple approach:

• Start with glove liners and thermal gloves together before going outside. Do not wait until hands feel cold.
• Carry a spare pair of liners if conditions are damp or if you are likely to sweat, so you can change to a dry pair during or after the activity.
• After returning home, if hands still feel chilled or uncomfortable, consider using heat therapy gloves for a short period to bring warmth back more comfortably.

Scenario D: Sensitive hands even in mild temperatures

Typical challenges:Fingers becoming cold quickly, even when others feel fine, with frequent low‑grade symptoms.One simple approach:

• Make glove liners a regular part of the day, even in milder weather or indoors, to avoid repeated bare‑handed exposure to cool air and surfaces.
• Add thermal gloves on top whenever moving into noticeably colder spaces or when symptoms usually worsen, such as early morning or late evening.
• Reserve heat therapy gloves for more pronounced episodes or times when hands are particularly stubborn to warm.

Over time, many people refine how and when they use each type of glove. The goal is to find a pattern that fits your own triggers – for example, liners most days, liners plus thermal gloves for outdoor cold, and heat therapy gloves only on tougher days.

If avoiding the cold is difficult

Avoiding cold exposure is not always realistic. Work, caring responsibilities or regular commuting may mean spending time in chilly places whatever the weather. In these situations, small adjustments can still make a difference:

• Layer glove liners and thermal gloves whenever you know you will be outside or in an unheated space for longer periods.
• Plan short, regular “warm‑up” breaks indoors or in sheltered areas if possible, removing only the outer layer so fingers do not become bare suddenly.
• Keep spare dry liners so you can change out of damp pairs during or after a shift.
• Use heat therapy gloves at home, if suitable for you, to ease deep chill or lingering discomfort after time spent in the cold.

These steps do not remove the exposure, but can reduce how hard each spell in the cold hits your fingers.

Safety, suitability and when to seek professional advice

RevitaFit gloves are designed with comfort and support in mind, but they may not be suitable for everyone or for every situation. Particular care, and advice from a doctor or specialist, are important if:

• Raynaud’s is thought to be secondary to another condition
• There is a diagnosed circulation or vascular disorder
• There is significant swelling, skin breakdown, ulcers or suspected infection on the hands
• There is nerve damage or altered sensation, which makes it harder to judge temperature or pain
• Symptoms change significantly, worsen, or are accompanied by other unexplained health issues

A GP, rheumatologist or physiotherapist can help you decide:

• Whether layered gloves are appropriate for your situation
• How and when heat should be used safely
• Whether there are additional treatments, investigations or changes to your management plan that may be helpful

RevitaFit gloves are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure Raynaud’s or any underlying condition. They are designed as comfort aids to sit alongside, not replace, professional care.

What to do if you think you have Raynaud’s

If the descriptions on this page sound familiar and you have never discussed your symptoms with a doctor, it can be helpful to:

• Keep a brief note for a week or two, recording when attacks happen, what you were doing, what the fingers looked like and how long they took to settle.
• Arrange an appointment with your GP, especially if attacks are frequent, severe, started suddenly or have changed over time.
• Take your notes with you, along with any questions about triggers, tests or treatments that might be appropriate.

A clear diagnosis helps rule out other conditions, confirms whether Raynaud’s is primary or secondary, and guides which other steps – beyond gloves – may be needed.

Setting realistic expectations and finding what works for you

Even the best glove set‑up cannot guarantee that Raynaud’s attacks will never occur. The aim is more practical:

• To reduce how often cold exposure sets off an episode
• To make attacks that do occur shorter and easier to manage
• To help hands feel more reliably comfortable in day‑to‑day tasks

It may take some trial and error to discover the combination that works best. For example:

• Some people find that glove liners alone make a clear difference indoors.
• Others rely on a liners‑plus‑thermal‑glove combination during colder months.
• Heat therapy gloves may be kept for days when attacks are more intense or leave lasting discomfort.

Paying attention to when symptoms arise, how long they last and what you were doing at the time can help refine your approach. Adjusting when gloves are put on, when layers are added or removed, and how long heat is used all play a part.Over time, many people build a pattern that suits them: a simple set of habits that make life with Raynaud’s more predictable and less dominated by the fear of cold hands. The RevitaFit glove range is designed to slot into that pattern, giving you flexible options for base warmth, outdoor protection and targeted comfort when episodes are at their worst.