Purple fingers during or after swimming, or any type of exercise, may indicate a circulation issue. A variety of factors, including Raynaud's phenomenon and thoracic outlet syndrome, cause poor circulation. Swimmers with more serious conditions -- like peripheral arterial disease and cyanosis -- sometimes also experience blue or purple extremities during exercise. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms to determine the cause and develop a treatment strategy.
Raynaud's Phenomenon
Swimming in cold water or exposing yourself to cold temperatures exacerbates Raynaud's phenomenon. This drop in temperature causes blood vessel spasms that block blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears and sometimes nose, according to PubMed Health. Raynaud's syndrome can stem from heart or artery-related diseases, certain medications or drugs that constrict blood vessels, arthritis, injury, smoking or frostbite. Symptoms also crop up without any known causes, something called primary Raynaud's phenomenon. It usually affects people younger than 30. Symptoms include extremities that turn white followed by blue or purple. As blood flow returns, fingers may appear red before returning to a normal color.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Swimming strokes often place your arm above your head. The longer you swim, the more time your arm spends in one position, which can lead to thoracic outlet syndrome, or TOS. TOS occurs when tight or injured neck or chest muscles -- like the scalenes or pectoralis minor -- compress the the subclavian artery that supply your hands. A major blood supplier to the arm and trunk, the subclavian artery passes under your collar bone and the scalene and pectoralis minor muscles. Whiplash injuries and postural deficiencies -- like rounded or slumping shoulders -- can cause muscle tightness which, in turn, reduces the circulation to your hands and fingers.
Diseases of the Arteries
Certain diseases of the arteries sometimes also reduce circulation to extremities. Peripheral arterial disease occurs when blood vessels outside your heart narrow due to blockage or constriction. Caused by atherosclerosis -- the build-up of plaque in the arteries -- peripheral arterial disease leads to lower circulation in your appendages and extremities. Common symptoms of this disorder include pain, numbness and infection.
Cyanosis
A blue or purple skin coloring typically seen around the lips, tongue and fingernails characterizes cyanosis. Acrocyanosis specifically refers to cyanosis in your extremities. This condition, indicative of decreased oxygen in the blood stream, potentially results from blue and red blood mixing in the arteries and veins. Red blood is oxygenated while the "blue" or darker blood is not, according to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Blood can flow through the lungs without collecting oxygen as a result of abnormalities in the lungs. Dysfunctions in your heart may also prevent some blood from reaching your lungs. In either case, darker blood moves through the body, potentially resulting in blue or purple skin.
References
- PubMed Health: Raynaud's Phenomenon
- American Massage Therapy Association; Body Mechanics - Freedom from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; J.E. Muscolino, DC; December 2006
- Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts; Systemic Circulation; R.E. Klabunde, Ph.D.
- MedlinePlus: Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Cincinnati Children's: Cyanosis
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