Raynaud's Disease and Phenomenon
Pronounced: ray-NODESEn Español (Spanish Version)
Raynaud's disease and phenomenon are circulatory disorders. During an attack, blood vessels narrow. This causes blood flow to the fingers and sometimes ears, nose, and lips to be severely reduced. Cold temperatures or emotional stress, such as excitement or nervousness, are the usual causes of attacks. Although blood vessels naturally become narrower under these circumstances, Raynaud's is an abnormally exaggerated response.
Constriction of Blood Vessels
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There are two types:
Primary Raynaud's (Raynaud's Disease)—This is the most common form. Primary Raynaud's occurs by itself, in the absence of other medical conditions.
Secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's Phenomenon)—This is the more severe form. People with secondary Raynaud's also have some other underlying medical condition that is thought to also cause Raynaud's. Some common conditions associated with Raynaud's include:
The cause of primary Raynaud's is not known, but it is probably related to an abnormality of the sympathetic nervous system. Secondary Raynaud's is believed to be caused by the associated disease.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for Raynaud's syndrome include:
- Sex: female
- Age: 15 to 40 years old
Jobs or leisure activities: Activities that subject the hands to repeated stress may increase the chance of developing Raynaud's. For example:
- Playing piano
- Regular operation of vibrating tools, as in construction
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- A connective tissue disease
- Diseases of the arteries, including atherosclerosis
- Injuries to the hands or feet, such as wrist fractures or frostbite
Certain medications, such as:
- Cancer chemotherapy
- Cold remedies
- Migraine medications containing ergotamine
- Estrogen-containing medications
An attack of Raynaud's may last a few minutes to a few hours. During an attack, symptoms may include:
Skin discoloration–during an attack, skin color may change to white, blue, and red.
- White occurs when the arteries narrow or collapse.
- Blue appears when the fingers, toes, or other areas are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
- The skin turns red and may become swollen when the attack subsides and blood returns.
- Throbbing and tingling sensations, stinging, pain, swelling of the affected area. This may occur at the end of the attack as blood flow increases and returns to the extremities.
People with secondary Raynaud's may experience other medical problems related to Raynaud's, such as:
- Skin thinning and ulcerations
- Gangrene (tissue death)
- Many other symptoms related to their underlying connective tissue disorder
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:
- Nailfold capillaroscopy—study of the capillaries under a microscope
Blood tests—to help distinguish between Raynaud's disease and phenomenon, and to help identify underlying autoimmune conditions:
- Antinuclear Antibody Test (ANA)
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
There are several ways to reduce the symptoms of Raynaud's during an attack:
Create Warmth for Fingers and Toes
- Run warm (not hot) water over fingers and toes as quickly as possible. However, do not place anything hot on your skin, as it may cause damage.
- If you are outside, move inside.
- Place your hands on a warm area of the body, such as under your armpits or on the abdomen.
Stimulate Blood Flow
Try to stimulate blood circulation by wiggling your fingers and toes, and making wide circles with your arms.
When the above measures fail, medications may help relieve symptoms, and even help begin to heal skin ulcers that have formed. Medications may include:
- Calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine
- Alpha-blockers, such as prazosin
- Vasodilators, such as a nitroglycerin cream
Rarely, surgery may be done when symptoms are persistent and debilitating. This involves cutting the sympathetic nerves that supply the affected fingers (called sympathetectomy). In extremely rare instances, a finger of toe that has suffered gangrene may require amputation.
Chemicals may be injected into the sympathetic nerve that is responsible for blood vessel constriction.
Treating Underlying Medical Condition
If you have Raynaud's phenomena, successful management of the underlying connective tissue or vascular disorder can help to relieve symptoms.
There are no guidelines for preventing Raynaud's disease and phenomenon. To prevent symptoms of Raynaud's:
- Stay warm. Avoid cold temperatures when possible.
- Dress in layers.
- Always wear clothing that covers extremities (hats, gloves, socks, etc.).
- Learn to adapt to stressful situations.
- Avoid caffeine.
- Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit.
- Exercise regularly.
- Consider using biofeedback training to control body temperature.
- Avoid the use of medications known to exacerbate Raynaud’s.
To minimize the risk of complications from Raynaud's:
- Keep skin on fingers and toes lubricated and protected.
- Avoid injuries.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
The Arthritis Society
Goldman. Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 22nd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2004.
Goldman. Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 23rd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2004.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/ .
Last reviewed January 2008 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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