Buerger's disease

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Take care of your fingers and toes if you have Buerger's disease. Check the skin on your arms and legs daily for cuts and scrapes, keeping in mind that if you've lost feeling to a finger or toe you may not feel, for example, a cut when it happens. Keep your fingers and toes protected and avoid exposing them to cold.

Low blood flow to your extremities means your body can't resist infection as easily. Small cuts and scrapes can easily turn into serious infections. Clean any cut with water, apply antibiotic ointment and cover it with a clean bandage. Keep an eye on any cuts or scrapes to make sure they're healing. If they get worse or heal slowly, see your doctor promptly.

Visit your dentist regularly to keep your gums and teeth in good health and avoid gum disease, which in its chronic form is associated with Buerger's disease.

References
  1. Mohler ER, et al. Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 12, 2010.
  2. Piazza G. Thromboangiitis obliterans. Circulation. 2010;121:1858.
  3. Malecki R, et al. Thromboangiitis obliterans in the 21st century — A new face of disease. Atherosclerosis. 2009;206:328.
  4. Sheps SG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 13, 2010.
DS00807 Sept. 15, 2010

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