What is Raynaud's Disease?

Raynaud’s disease (also known as Raynaud’s syndrome or phenomenon) is a condition that affects your blood vessels. When you are cold or stressed, the arteries in your extremities (fingers, hands, feet, toes) narrow, or constrict. This blood constriction can also affect toes, and less frequently, nose, lips, ears, or nipples.

During an attack, the affected skin usually turns white, then blue. It can feel numb and cold. As the skin warms up and the circulation comes back, the skin can turn red and tingle or throb. After warming, it can take up to 15 minutes for the blood to circulate normally through the area again.

There are two types of Raynaud’s.

  • Primary Raynaud’s is also called Raynaud’s disease. It is mild enough that many people don’t need treatment.
  • Secondary Raynaud’s is also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon. This form is a condition that happens due to another health issue. It is more complex and serious. Causes of secondary Raynaud’s include:
    • Diseases of the arteries
    • Autoimmune or connective tissue disease (such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
    • Carpal tunnel syndrome
    • Injuries to the hands or feet
    • Certain medications
    • Smoking or use of stimulants
    • Repetitive action
    • Working with certain chemical

Symptoms

Raynaud’s causes the fingers or toes to lose blood flow temporarily. The skin turns white and blue and can go numb. When the blood flow returns, the skin may turn red and sting or throb.

Symptoms of Raynaud’s can be mild to severe. However, for most people with the disease, symptoms are mild enough that they don’t need to seek treatment.

When to See a Doctor

Severe cases of Raynaud’s can lead to tissue death (gangrene). See your doctor if you have a history of severe Raynaud’s and have developed sores or ulcers on your fingers or toes, or if you have an infection. You should also tell your doctor if attacks happen on only one side or your body.
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Causes

Doctors are not sure what causes Raynaud’s, but they think that the blood vessels in the hands or feet that normally narrow when you get cold or stressed are simply overreacting. Over time, the frequent spasms of these arteries can cause the walls of the arteries to thicken slightly and even further limit blood flow. Primary Raynaud’s happens on its own, but secondary Raynaud’s occurs because of another illness or disease.

Diagnosis and Tests

Many people self-diagnose as they recognize their symptoms. To find out if you have the primary or secondary form of Raynaud’s, your doctor will ask about your health history and perform an exam. Blood tests may be recommended. Your doctor may also look at a tiny piece of fingernail tissue under a microscope.

Treatments & Prevention

Treatments

There are treatments to control or prevent the symptoms, but not the phenomenon. Most people with primary Raynaud’s treat symptoms by keeping their hands and feet warm and dry or by quickly warming up cold-affected areas. People with secondary Raynaud’s may be treated with blood pressure medicines or other medicines that relax blood vessels.

If someone has severe tissue damage, surgery may be used.

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