Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVasospasmRaynaud’s SyndromeAchenbach SyndromeChilblainsBuerger’s DiseaseFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vasospasm
Raynaud’s Syndrome
Achenbach Syndrome
Chilblains
Buerger’s Disease
Frequently Asked Questions
A finger typically turns purple when blood is not circulating well to the hand.
Blood is bright red when it is moving the proper amount of oxygen through the body. Without an adequate amount of oxygen, blood turns dark and color alterations follow—including a change to a purple tone.
There are a few reasons why this may happen, as well as additional reasons your finger(s) could turn purple.
This article talks about some of the more common health conditions that can cause a purple finger. It also explains how they are treated and when it’s a good idea to see your healthcare provider.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
When a purple finger occurs, it is a sign that you are not getting enough oxygenated blood to that, or perhaps another, area of the body. If it persists, especially after warming the hands, or if it appears with other concerning symptoms, seek a medical evaluation.
Avasospasmis due to a persistent contraction of the blood vessels known as vasoconstriction. This causes the arteries to narrow, which reduces blood flow.
Vasospasms can occur in any part of the body. When this happens in the arms or legs, the symptoms include:
Treatment
Vasospasm treatment for the fingers focuses on preventing any causes of vascular constriction. It includes:
Can Dietary Supplements Help Improve Blood Flow?
Raynaud’s syndrome(also called Raynaud’s phenomenon) is a disorder that affects your blood vessels and causes them to overreact to cold weather. It affects more women than men.
When a person with Raynaud’s syndrome has an episode, the body doesn’t send enough blood to the hands and feet.In severe attacks, fingers can turn blue or purple because of decreased blood flow and lack of oxygen.
Both stress and cold weather can lead to an attack. When this happens, the hands and feet can feel very cold or numb. An episode can last only a few minutes to more than an hour. Symptoms range in severity, but they are most often mild.
There are two forms of this condition:
There is no cure for Raynaud’s syndrome. Lifestyle changes and medications can reduce the severity and number of attacks, both in primary and secondary cases. They also may prevent finger or toe tissue loss.
LifestyleChanges
There are steps you can take to avoid or limit Raynaud’s episodes:
Can Natural Remedies Help With Raynaud’s Syndrome?
Medications and Surgery
Vasodilators, which widen the blood vessels, are the drugs most often used to treat Raynaud’s.
First-line treatment usually involvescalcium channel blockerssuch as Procardia (nifedipine).Minipress (prazosin)is a high blood pressure drug sometimes prescribed for people with Raynaud’s.
Surgery may be needed in severe cases to restore blood flow to the affected areas.
Achenbachsyndrome can cause purple fingers. People with this rare condition have occasional pain and swelling in one or more fingers; the precise cause is unknown. Fortunately, although Achenbach syndrome causes discomfort, it is not dangerous.
Ahematoma(a bruise with the blood pooling outside of broken blood vessels) will follow. This causes the color change in the affected finger. There are often warning signs a few minutes before the color change begins, including pain, tingling, and itching.
Bleeding beneath the skin typically stops spontaneously, or after applying pressure to the affected finger. The abnormal purple color usually resolves without treatment within three to seven days, leaving no permanent damage.
Chilblainsis a rare, painful condition that causes red or purple bumps or patches on the fingers. It may also occur on the toes and, less commonly, the cheeks and ears.These bumps may burn or itch intensely and may become swollen or blister.
Chilblains mostly affects women, though the reasons for this are unknown.
These steps are usually enough to keep chilblains under control. If not, a healthcare provider can prescribe Procardia XL (nifedipine) or Pentoxil (pentoxifylline), drugs that work to improve blood flow.
Frostbite and Other Cold-Weather Foot Conditions
Buerger’s diseasenormally affects the small- and medium-sized nerves, arteries, and veins. It causes blood vessels to swell and narrow, which constricts blood flow. This puts you at risk forblood clotsthat affect the hands and feet.
One of the symptoms of Buerger’s disease is decreased blood flow to fingers and toes in cold weather, which can lead to a purple or blue finger.
Other symptoms include:
Healthcare providers aren’t sure what causes Buerger’s disease. Smoking is a common thread among people who have it.
There is no cure for Buerger’s disease, but symptoms are often reduced or resolved when someone quits smoking. It is the most effective treatment to stem the effects of the disease.
People with Buerger’s disease who continue to smoke have a 40% to 50% amputation rate.
Other treatments that have been used with varying success include:
Summary
Your finger can turn purple or blue for reasons that don’t involve any physical injury. A few of these causes, such as vasospasm, Raynaud’s syndrome, or chilblains, have weather-related symptoms. It’s important to avoid the cold (or dress carefully for it) if you have any of these conditions.
Other reasons may be related to an underlying health issue. In some cases, there can be serious consequences if the condition is not diagnosed and treated properly.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt usually takes about three days for a burst blood vessel in the finger to heal.There are no specific tests for Achenbach syndrome. The diagnosis is based on a physical exam and a person’s symptoms. Doctors will rule out other possible causes during the diagnostic process.
It usually takes about three days for a burst blood vessel in the finger to heal.
There are no specific tests for Achenbach syndrome. The diagnosis is based on a physical exam and a person’s symptoms. Doctors will rule out other possible causes during the diagnostic process.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cedar Sinai.Vasospasm.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Haque A, Hughes M.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(6):580-587. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0754Godoy A, Tabares AH.Achenbach syndrome (paroxysmal finger hematoma).Vasc Med. 2019;24(4):361-366. doi:10.1177/1358863X19849627Harvard Health Publishing.By the way doctor: What can I do about chilblains?Shakshouk H, Lehman JS.Purple fingers and toes.Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(7):1313-1314. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.02.025Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Buerger disease.Klein-Weigel P, Volz TS, Zange L, Richter J.Buerger’s disease: providing integrated care.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:511-518. Published 2016 Oct 12. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S109985van Twist DJL, Hermans W, Mostard GJM.Paroxysmal finger hematoma.CCJM. 2020;87(4):194-194. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19122Ribeiro F, Aveiro M, Leal M, Valente T, Jesus G.An acute blue finger: a case of achenbach’s syndrome.European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine. 2019;6(9):1. doi:10.12890/2019_001231
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cedar Sinai.Vasospasm.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Haque A, Hughes M.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(6):580-587. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0754Godoy A, Tabares AH.Achenbach syndrome (paroxysmal finger hematoma).Vasc Med. 2019;24(4):361-366. doi:10.1177/1358863X19849627Harvard Health Publishing.By the way doctor: What can I do about chilblains?Shakshouk H, Lehman JS.Purple fingers and toes.Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(7):1313-1314. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.02.025Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Buerger disease.Klein-Weigel P, Volz TS, Zange L, Richter J.Buerger’s disease: providing integrated care.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:511-518. Published 2016 Oct 12. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S109985van Twist DJL, Hermans W, Mostard GJM.Paroxysmal finger hematoma.CCJM. 2020;87(4):194-194. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19122Ribeiro F, Aveiro M, Leal M, Valente T, Jesus G.An acute blue finger: a case of achenbach’s syndrome.European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine. 2019;6(9):1. doi:10.12890/2019_001231
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cedar Sinai.Vasospasm.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Haque A, Hughes M.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(6):580-587. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0754Godoy A, Tabares AH.Achenbach syndrome (paroxysmal finger hematoma).Vasc Med. 2019;24(4):361-366. doi:10.1177/1358863X19849627Harvard Health Publishing.By the way doctor: What can I do about chilblains?Shakshouk H, Lehman JS.Purple fingers and toes.Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(7):1313-1314. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.02.025Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Buerger disease.Klein-Weigel P, Volz TS, Zange L, Richter J.Buerger’s disease: providing integrated care.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:511-518. Published 2016 Oct 12. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S109985van Twist DJL, Hermans W, Mostard GJM.Paroxysmal finger hematoma.CCJM. 2020;87(4):194-194. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19122Ribeiro F, Aveiro M, Leal M, Valente T, Jesus G.An acute blue finger: a case of achenbach’s syndrome.European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine. 2019;6(9):1. doi:10.12890/2019_001231
Cedar Sinai.Vasospasm.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.
National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Haque A, Hughes M.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(6):580-587. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0754
Godoy A, Tabares AH.Achenbach syndrome (paroxysmal finger hematoma).Vasc Med. 2019;24(4):361-366. doi:10.1177/1358863X19849627
Harvard Health Publishing.By the way doctor: What can I do about chilblains?
Shakshouk H, Lehman JS.Purple fingers and toes.Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(7):1313-1314. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.02.025
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Buerger disease.
Klein-Weigel P, Volz TS, Zange L, Richter J.Buerger’s disease: providing integrated care.J Multidiscip Healthc. 2016;9:511-518. Published 2016 Oct 12. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S109985
van Twist DJL, Hermans W, Mostard GJM.Paroxysmal finger hematoma.CCJM. 2020;87(4):194-194. doi:10.3949/ccjm.87a.19122
Ribeiro F, Aveiro M, Leal M, Valente T, Jesus G.An acute blue finger: a case of achenbach’s syndrome.European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine. 2019;6(9):1. doi:10.12890/2019_001231
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
