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What Is Dead Finger?
Dead finger, also called vibration white finger (VWF), is one form of the condition known as hand-arm vibration syndrome, in which one or more fingers tingle, grow 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. As dead finger 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 vibrations.
The primary symptom of this condition is a loss of sensation in one or more fingers, which is caused by restricted blood flow to the area. At the beginning and end of an attack, the sufferer may experience tingling in the affected fingers. The skin of the affected fingers may also take on a white, blue, or red hue. Attacks may last for only a few minutes or for more than an hour. Additionally, as VWF is a progressive condition, attacks tend to be mild when the condition first develops, growing in severity over a period of months or even years.
Many medical experts consider dead finger to be a secondary form of Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition in which the blood vessels which supply the extremities constrict abnormally, causing those extremities to tingle and grow numb. In the case of dead finger, this abnormal blood vessel constriction is believed to be due to blood vessel damage 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 certain factory workers. As with most instances of Raynaud’s, attacks of VWF seem to be aggravated by exposure to cold weather.
While there is no cure for dead finger, sufferers can take steps to limit attacks of the condition. Reducing one’s exposure to vibrating objects is the most important factor in limiting VWF attacks. In fact, as dead finger is common among manual laborers, many countries’ health and safety administrations have taken steps to protect workers from the condition by restricting the amount of time they can be exposed to vibrating tools each day. Further, wearing warm clothes and gloves can reduce the blood vessels’ response to cold weather, and avoiding nicotine and caffeine can help promote healthy circulation.
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![Dead finger is a form of hand-arm vibration syndrome where one or more fingers tingle, grow numb, and change color due to exposure to power tools or other vibrating objects.]()
By: nebariDead finger is a form of hand-arm vibration syndrome where one or more fingers tingle, grow numb, and change color due to exposure to power tools or other vibrating objects. -
![People who suffer from dead finger should avoid exposure to vibrating objects.]()
By: Susan StevensonPeople who suffer from dead finger should avoid exposure to vibrating objects. -
![People susceptible to dead finger should avoid nicotine and caffeine.]()
By: Lorenzo BrascoPeople susceptible to dead finger should avoid nicotine and caffeine. -
![Dead finger can be common among miners, who work with vibrating tools on a daily basis.]()
By: ioDead finger can be common among miners, who work with vibrating tools on a daily basis. -
![Numbness and tingling in the fingers may inhibit an individual's ability to perform basic tasks, such as teeth brushing.]()
By: Photographee.euNumbness and tingling in the fingers may inhibit an individual's ability to perform basic tasks, such as teeth brushing.
Discussion Comments
I quit smoking several months ago and since then, I've noticed a significant improvement of my VWF. I didn't know that smoking can affect circulation so much.
@literally45-- You can keep working with dead finger syndrome, I do. But you do need to make some changes to make sure that your condition doesn't worsen. Keep your hands warm because this improves circulation. Use shock-absorbing accessories so that the vibration doesn't affect your hands too much.
You can't tell your boss that you can't use equipment but I'm sure you can ask him if you can take breaks while working with vibrating equipment.
My boss knows about my condition and I also have a doctor report. So he doesn't have me use the vibrating machinery unless there is no one else to do it. And if I do use one, he lets me take a break whenever I need one. I also use shock-absorbing gloves and these help a lot.
I work in construction and naturally, I use a lot of vibrating tools. I experienced dead finger syndrome for the first time this week. I had all the symptoms -- my fingers tingled, then went numb and then turned purple. But thankfully, it didn't last very long. My fingers were back to normal after a few minutes.
I'm hoping it won't happen again but if it does, there isn't much I can do. I can't tell my boss that I can't use vibrating tools anymore.
By the way, what an odd name for this condition -- dead finger. It doesn't sound very promising.
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