Raynaud’s?

What Is Raynaud’s?

• Raynaud’s is a rare disorder that affects the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to different parts of your body.
• Raynaud’s sometimes is called a disease, syndrome, or phenomenon. The disorder is marked by brief episodes of vasospasm (VA-so-spazm), which is a narrowing of the blood vessels.
• Vasospasm of the arteries reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes. In people who have Raynaud’s, the disorder usually affects the fingers. In about 40 percent of people who have Raynaud’s, it affects the toes. Rarely, the disorder affects the nose, ears, nipples, and lips.

Overview

• Often, the cause of Raynaud’s isn’t known. This type of Raynaud’s is called Raynaud’s disease or primary Raynaud’s.
• Sometimes a disease, condition, or other factor causes Raynaud’s. This type of Raynaud’s is called Raynaud’s phenomenon or secondary Raynaud’s. Primary Raynaud’s is more common and tends to be less severe than secondary Raynaud’s.
• If you have primary or secondary Raynaud’s, cold temperatures or stress can trigger “Raynaud’s attacks.” During an attack, little or no blood flows to affected body parts.
• As a result, the skin may turn white and then blue for a short time. As blood flow returns, the affected areas may turn red and throb, tingle, burn, or feel numb.
• In both types of Raynaud’s, even mild or brief changes in temperature can cause Raynaud’s attacks. For example, taking something out of the freezer or being exposed to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can cause your fingers to turn blue.

Outlook

• About 5 percent of the U.S. population has Raynaud’s. For most people who have primary Raynaud’s, the disorder is more of a bother than a serious illness. They usually can manage the condition with minor lifestyle changes.
• Secondary Raynaud’s may be harder to manage. However, several treatments are available to help prevent or relieve symptoms. With secondary Raynaud’s, it’s important to treat the underlying disease or condition that’s causing it.
• Researchers continue to look for better ways to diagnose and treat Raynaud’s.
• Often, the cause of Raynaud’s isn’t known. This type of Raynaud’s is called Raynaud’s disease or primary Raynaud’s.
• Sometimes a disease, condition, or other factor causes Raynaud’s. This type of Raynaud’s is called Raynaud’s phenomenon or secondary Raynaud’s.

What Causes Raynaud’s?

Causes of Secondary Raynaud’s

Many things can cause secondary Raynaud’s. Examples include:

• Diseases and conditions that directly damage the arteries or damage the nerves that control the arteries in the hands and feet
• Repetitive actions that damage the nerves that control the arteries in the hands and feet
• Injuries to the hands and feet
• Exposure to certain chemicals
• Medicines that narrow the arteries or affect blood pressure
• The nicotine in cigarettes also can raise your risk of developing Raynaud’s.

Who Is at Risk for Raynaud’s?

The risk factors for primary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s disease) and secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s phenomenon) are different.

The risk factors for primary Raynaud’s include:

• Gender. Women are more likely to have primary Raynaud’s than men.
• Age. Primary Raynaud’s usually develops before the age of 30.
• Family history. Primary Raynaud’s may occur in members of the same family.
• Living in a cold climate. Cold temperatures can trigger Raynaud’s attacks.

The risk factors for secondary Raynaud’s include:

• Age. Secondary Raynaud’s usually develops after the age of 30.
• Certain diseases and conditions. For example, diseases that directly damage the arteries or damage the nerves that control the arteries in the hands and feet may cause secondary Raynaud’s.
• Injuries to the hands or feet.
• Exposure to certain workplace chemicals, such as vinyl chloride (used in the plastics industry).
• Repetitive actions with the hands, such as typing or using vibrating tools.
• Certain medicines, such as migraine, cancer, cold/allergy, or blood pressure medicines.
• Smoking.
• Living in a cold climate.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Raynaud’s?

People who have primary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s disease) or secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s phenomenon) can have attacks in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress.

Raynaud’s attacks usually affect the fingers and toes. Rarely, the attacks affect the nose, ears, nipples, or lips.

During a Raynaud’s attack, the arteries become very narrow for a brief period. As a result, little or no blood flows to affected body parts. This may cause these areas to:

• Turn pale or white and then blue
• Feel numb, cold, or painful
• Turn red, throb, tingle, burn, or feel numb as blood flow returns to the affected areas

Raynaud’s attacks can last less than a minute or as long as several hours. Attacks can occur daily or weekly.

Attacks often begin in one finger or toe and move to other fingers or toes. Sometimes only one or two fingers or toes are affected. Different areas may be affected at different times.

How Is Raynaud’s Diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose primary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s disease) or secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s phenomenon) based on your medical history, a physical exam, and test results.

Medical History

Your doctor may ask about your risk factors for Raynaud’s. He or she also may ask about your signs and symptoms when you’re exposed to cold temperatures or stress.

For example, your doctor may ask whether your fingers or toes:

• Feel numb or painful when they’re exposed to cold temperatures
• Turn white or blue, or both, when they’re exposed to cold temperatures

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can help you avoid things that may trigger a Raynaud’s attack. Examples of such triggers include cold temperatures, emotional stress, workplace or recreational factors, and contact with certain chemicals or medicines.

Protect Yourself From Cold Temperatures

To protect yourself from cold temperatures:

• Wear a hat, mittens (rather than gloves), scarf, coat with snug cuffs, and warm socks and shoes during cold weather. Layer your clothing for extra warmth.
• Put hand and foot warmers in your mittens, boots, socks, or pockets. Some warmers are small heat packs, and others are battery-operated. These warmers often are available at sporting goods stores.
• Turn down air conditioning or dress warmly while in an air-conditioned space.
• Warm up your car before driving in cold weather.
• Wear gloves or mittens when taking food out of the refrigerator or freezer (if cold temperatures severely affect you).

Avoid Other Triggers

Try to avoid things that make you upset or stressed. Physical activity helps some people cope with stress. Other people listen to music or focus on something calm or peaceful to reduce stress. Some people learn yoga, tai chi, or meditation.

Try to avoid workplace and recreational triggers. For example, limit the use of vibrating tools, such as drills. Wear proper protective gear if you work with industrial chemicals. Also, try to limit repetitive hand actions, such as typing or playing the piano.

Some medicines can trigger Raynaud’s attacks. Examples include:

• Migraine headache medicines that contain ergotamine. This substance causes your arteries to narrow.
• Certain cancer medicines, such as cisplatin and vinblastine.
• Over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines or diet aids. Some of these medicines can narrow your arteries.
• Beta blockers. These medicines slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.
• Birth control pills. These medicines can affect blood flow.

Talk with your doctor about whether your medicines are safe for you.

If you have Raynaud’s, be sure to take care of your hands and feet. Protect them from cuts, bruises, and other injuries. For example, wear properly fitted shoes and don’t walk barefoot. Use lotion to prevent your skin from drying and cracking. Also, avoid tight wristbands and rings.

Living With Raynaud’s

Primary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s disease) and secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s phenomenon) can be lifelong conditions. However, you can take steps to help control Raynaud’s. Lifestyle changes and ongoing care can help you manage the disorder.

Most people who have primary Raynaud’s can manage the disorder with lifestyle changes. People who have secondary Raynaud’s may need medicines in addition to lifestyle changes. Rarely, they may need surgery or shots.