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What Causes Acute Numbness And Burning Itch In Hands When Having History Of Heart Disease And Bypass?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Dec 2013
Question: I am 80 yrs old. I have acute numbness often each day in my hands and fingers that develop into an intense burning itch....many times the only way I can slow/stop the itch is to immerse my hands in cold water... If relevant, I have a heart disease history, bypass etc... the condition in my hands is incresing in intensity... What can cause this?
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Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Claudication Detailed Answer: Hi I would think of claudication I mean spasm of the blood vessels supplying the hands. The blood flow is not complete to the peripheral areas of your body. The reason for this are many in older people. It could be similar to what happened to the heart and that is why you underwent bypass. Physicians generally prescribe aspirin and pentoxifylline in such cases. They partly help to restore the circulation and symptoms alleviate. I am sure you are already on aspirin for heart disease. I suggest you to visit a general surgeon/vascular surgeon for appropriate medication. Hope this helpful.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
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Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2242 Questions

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What Causes Acute Numbness And Burning Itch In Hands When Having History Of Heart Disease And Bypass?

Brief Answer: Claudication Detailed Answer: Hi I would think of claudication I mean spasm of the blood vessels supplying the hands. The blood flow is not complete to the peripheral areas of your body. The reason for this are many in older people. It could be similar to what happened to the heart and that is why you underwent bypass. Physicians generally prescribe aspirin and pentoxifylline in such cases. They partly help to restore the circulation and symptoms alleviate. I am sure you are already on aspirin for heart disease. I suggest you to visit a general surgeon/vascular surgeon for appropriate medication. Hope this helpful.