Wearing spandex gloves during the night or heated mittens may be helpful. These large knobby nodules rarely cause pain, although the hands and fingers may feel clumsy and be difficult to close. Built-up handles on tools or sports equipment help improve grip. This problem may represent altered proprioceptive sensation, but the cause is unknown. Caution is required when handling valuable objects.
Treatment involves reassurance.
Elderly persons may have cold hands for no discernible reason. The palms in particular may feel cool, but color changes and other symptoms are absent. Some of these persons also describe a diminished sense of touch, but true numbness or paresthesias are absent. Strong reassurance and smoking cessation may be useful. Muscle cramps in the hands, similar to writer's cramp, may awaken patients several times during the night.