Reddit mentions of Heritage Gloves Extreme Winter Glove

I've never had a foot ulcer, thankfully. Mine have all been digital, but here's what I can offer in the way of advice:

First, he needs to start laying the groundwork for switching to a job that happens indoors. I know that sucks, especially if he's invested a lot of time in learning that job, but it's something that he will almost certainly need to do sooner or later. That may involve heading back to school or other training. I was a locksmith until it got to the point I dreaded going out on calls in the winter, even though that was how I made my living. Luckily, I'm an Army vet with service connected disability and the VA's voc rehab program doesn't really care if those disabilities are the reason why you can't work in your field.

Second, a pound of prevention is blah blah something something. If he smokes he should quit. He should try to get a prescription for a vasodilator or calcium channel blocker. They can help quite a bit. They almost triple the amount of time before vasospasms hit me, to close to 20 minutes in ~45 degree weather. He needs to keep his feet and hands warm and dry. I highly recommend these gloves with the small 6 hour Zippo hand warmers, although many doctors will say to stop wearing gloves entirely and switch to mittens as gloves can restrict blood flow. I can't stand the total loss of dexterity. He's going to need to take similar action for his feet. Keep them warm and don't put things that are tight on them.

Third, the doc may want to see if they'll resolve on their own. Give it a shot, I guess, but I've never had one that did, even after 9 months. I'm sure there's someone, somewhat that has had them go away on their own or else they wouldn't ask, right? Mine have all had to be debrided.

My wife is now giving me the stink eye because dinner. I'll add more later.

OK. Tasty meat loaf. I probably will forget something because I lost my train of thought.

Fourth, are they occurring spontaneously or do they start as a small injury that doesn't heal properly and goes necrotic? If the former, this will only sort of apply, but it it's the latter he needs to protect his extremities. Work gloves whenever there's a chance that he'll cut or puncture his hands and never going barefoot. Even sandals are risky if you stub your toe or something.

Fifth, he'll need regular ANA panels done, at the very least. Autoimmunes are like potato chips: you can't have just one. Some people feel like they're collecting pokemon and have to catch 'em all. I joke, these things rove in packs.

Finally, I'm personally very interested in what kind of environmental exposures he's had. From the peer-reviewed research I've read, scleroderma in males is extremely rare. Some estimates put it as low as 50,000 of us total in the US, going from memory. It seems most have either been exposed to industrial-style solvents or large quantities of silica dust. I've only met two other men with scleroderma have been Operation Iraqi Freedom vets and I am as well.

Anyhow, I hope I could be of some help.