My husband Mark had a lab appointment this week and I sat in the car and read. It was about 60 degrees outside and I thought about cracking a window just to get some fresh air.
After about 15 minutes, I was freezing and wrapped myself up in two coats, and this is with the window up. When I used to shake hands with patients in the rest home, they liked to point out how cold my hands were.
A sweater or coat is always necessary when I venture outside the house, even to just get the mail. When we take road trips, I don’t drink anything so I don’t have to fight the cold at the rest stop on my way to and from my destination.
Rheumatoid arthritis may affect the small nerves in your hands or feet. They might feel numb or like they’re being stuck with pins and needles. If these tiny blood vessels in your hands or feet shut down, your fingers or toes may feel cold or numb. They could even change color when it’s cold outside and look white, red, or blue.
This is where hand warmers make a big difference. Disposable warmers are simple to use because they begin warming when you open up the package and expose the inner contents to air. They can take 15-30 minutes to warm up, and they last up to 10 hours. What a pleasant way to stay on top of your arthritis pain!
Just about all hand warmers are small enough to tuck into coat pockets, but some are small enough to fit inside gloves and boots. They’re perfect for hiking, attending sporting events, hunting, winter golfing, fishing, or camping.
Once you’re ready to use it, look on the top and it will show you how to open it. Shake to activate. Be careful not to tear the warmer. The heat should last up to ten hours.
One important thing to pay attention to: only use on the palms of the hands, and don’t leave them in the same place for extended periods of time. If you feel that the hand warmers are cooling off give them another shake.
I was anxious to put these hand warmers to the test. I stuffed them in my coat pocket, and boy was that toasty warm! There was still enough heat to enjoy at my desk. I held it in the palm of one hand and put the other hand over it. For arthritic hands that ache all the time, it was a welcome relief.
Stash packages of hand warmers in your car for emergency use. I am stocking up our vehicle. We enjoy trips to the Bay Area and while the scenery is beautiful, it is bone-chilling cold. Don’t suffer from cold arthritic hands. Treat yourself to hand warmers. You deserve it!
