Raynaud’s can cause more than cold fingers and color changes. Some people also notice finger pain, tingling, burning, or a throbbing sensation during an episode.
The sensations may not stay the same throughout the episode. When blood flow is reduced, the fingers can become cold and numb. As circulation and warmth return, the feeling in the fingers can change, and tingling, burning, throbbing, or pain may become more noticeable.
Can Raynaud’s Cause Finger Pain?
Yes. Some people experience pain in the affected fingers during a Raynaud’s episode.
When the small blood vessels in the fingers narrow, less blood reaches the affected area. The fingers can become cold, and the change in circulation and temperature can affect how they feel.
Pain may be more noticeable at certain points during the episode, including as the fingers begin to warm again. The experience varies from person to person and may also differ between episodes.
For the broader symptoms of Raynaud’s, see What Are the Symptoms of Raynaud’s?.
Why Can Raynaud’s Cause Tingling?
Tingling may appear when sensation changes during an episode or as the episode starts to resolve.
In the colder phase, reduced blood flow and cooling can leave the fingers numb or less sensitive. Once circulation and warmth begin to return, the sensation can shift, and some people notice tingling as the fingers start to warm.
For that reason, tingling does not always occur when the fingers are at their coldest. It may become more noticeable during the transition from a colder state to rewarming.
The relationship between reduced blood flow and numbness is explained in Why Do Raynaud’s Fingers Feel Numb?.
Why Can Rewarming Cause Burning or Throbbing?
As a Raynaud’s episode resolves, blood flow can return to the affected fingers and the tissue begins to warm. The change can feel quite different from the earlier cold phase.
Some people describe this part of the episode as burning, throbbing, tingling, or pain. These sensations may become noticeable while the fingers are warming, although not everyone experiences them in the same way.
The feeling in the fingers can therefore change as an episode progresses. What feels numb and cold earlier may feel very different once circulation and warmth begin to return.
How Can Pain, Tingling and Burning Change During an Episode?
The exact sequence varies, but the sensations can change along with blood flow and finger temperature:
- Reduced blood flow: the fingers may become cold, numb, or less sensitive.
- Continued cooling: the altered sensation may persist while the fingers remain cold.
- Blood flow returning: tingling, burning, throbbing, or pain may become noticeable as the fingers begin to warm.
- Rewarming: these sensations can gradually change as the fingers move back toward their usual temperature and sensation.
Different sensations can therefore occur at different points in the same Raynaud’s episode. The changes are associated with what is happening to blood flow and temperature in the affected fingers.
For more about how long an episode can last, see How Long Does a Raynaud’s Attack Last?. For warming cold fingers during an episode, see How to Warm Cold Fingers During a Raynaud’s Attack.
Can Raynaud’s Cause Finger Pain, Tingling or Burning? The Short Answer
Yes. Raynaud’s can cause finger pain, tingling, burning, or throbbing, and the sensations can change during an episode. Reduced blood flow and cooling may leave the fingers numb or less sensitive, while the return of circulation and warmth may be accompanied by tingling, burning, throbbing, or pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Raynaud’s cause finger pain?
Yes. Some people experience finger pain during a Raynaud’s episode, including as the affected fingers change temperature and blood flow begins to return.
Why do my fingers tingle with Raynaud’s?
Tingling can occur as sensation changes during an episode or as blood flow and warmth begin to return to the affected fingers.
Why do my fingers burn when they warm up after Raynaud’s?
As blood flow and warmth return after a colder phase, the fingers can experience a different sensory response. Some people describe this as burning, tingling, throbbing, or pain.
Can Raynaud’s cause burning and throbbing in the fingers?
Yes. Some people experience burning or throbbing as the affected fingers warm and blood flow changes during the episode.
Medical note: This article provides general educational information about Raynaud’s and finger pain, tingling, burning, or throbbing and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice.