Dead finger, also known as vibration white finger (VWF), is a condition where fingers tingle, go numb, and change color due to exposure to vibrating tools. It is a form of Raynaud’s phenomenon and attacks can last from minutes to hours. Prevention includes reducing exposure to vibrating tools, wearing warm clothing and gloves, and avoiding nicotine and caffeine.
Dead finger, also called vibration white finger (VWF), is a form of the condition known as hand-arm vibration syndrome, in which one or more fingers feel tingle, go numb, and change color due to exposure to power tools or other vibrating objects. It is considered by many to be a secondary form of Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition characterized by restricted blood flow to the extremities. Because dead toe often affects those who use vibrating tools at work, many countries have attempted to regulate the maximum amount of time a worker can be exposed to vibration.
The main symptom of this condition is a loss of feeling in one or more fingers, caused by restricted blood flow to the area. At the beginning and end of an attack, the sufferer may feel tingling in the affected fingers. The skin on the affected fingers may also take on a white, blue, or red hue. Attacks can last for just a few minutes or more than an hour. Also, because VWF is a progressive condition, attacks tend to be mild when the condition first develops, escalating in severity over a period of months or even years.
Many medical experts consider dead toe to be a secondary form of Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition in which blood vessels supplying the extremities narrow abnormally, causing those extremities to feel tingling and numb. In the case of a dead toe, this abnormal constriction of the blood vessels is thought to be due to damage to the blood vessels caused by prolonged use of power tools or other vibrating objects. The condition is especially prevalent in those who work with vibrating tools on a daily basis, such as miners and some factory workers. As with most cases of Raynaud’s, VWF attacks appear to be made worse by exposure to cold.
While there is no cure for dead toe, sufferers can take steps to limit attacks of the condition. Reducing exposure to vibrating objects is the most important factor in limiting VWF attacks. Indeed, because dead toe is common among manual workers, health and safety administrations in many countries have taken steps to protect workers from the condition by limiting the amount of time they can be exposed to vibrating tools each day. Additionally, wearing warm clothing and gloves can reduce blood vessel response to cold, and avoiding nicotine and caffeine can help promote healthy circulation.
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