Raynaud’s disease is an issue with blood circulation that causes the fingers or toes to turn white or pale and then blue, cold, and numb. It occurs when temperatures drop and blood vessels spasm and narrow, reducing blood supply.

Also known as Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon, the condition is common, affecting about 3% to 5% of adults worldwide. It is more common in females than in males.

Read on to learn more about Raynaud’s disease.

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Raynaud’s disease is a condition that causes blood vessels in the fingers or toes to spasm and temporarily narrow. This restricts blood flow and causes the fingers to turn cold and numb.

In rare cases, Raynaud’s episodes affect other areas, such as the nose or ears. An episode usually occurs from exposure to cold temperatures or, sometimes, emotional stress.

In most people, lifestyle changes, such as avoiding cold temperatures, may keep symptoms under control. Other treatments depend on the severity of Raynaud’s and whether it is a primary or secondary form.

Raynaud’s disease affects some people when they are exposed to the cold.

Symptoms often occur in the extremities, such as the fingers and toes. A Raynaud’s episode may involve the following symptoms:

  • the affected body areas turn pale or white as blood flow reduces
  • the area turns blue and feels cold to the touch and numb
  • the area turns red and might tingle, swell, or throb as the person warms up and circulation returns

A Raynaud’s episode may last from a few minutes to a few hours.

Some people with severe Raynaud’s disease may develop small, painful sores on the fingers or toes.

Rarely, an extended episode of the condition lasting for days can lead to gangrene if the tissue does not receive oxygen for a lengthy period.

Raynaud’s disease can be primary or secondary. Primary Raynaud’s disease has no known cause and occurs when a person has no other associated condition. It is more common than secondary Raynaud’s disease.

Secondary Raynaud’s has links to another condition, for example:

Certain medications, such as those that treat migraine or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or beta blockers for high blood pressure, can cause similar symptoms or worsen Raynaud’s.

There are also some genetic mutations that doctors associate with increased blood vessel spasms. This is an area of ongoing research.

There is no one test that diagnoses Raynaud’s disease. A doctor may ask about symptoms to see if they align with the condition. They will take a medical history and perform a physical exam.

If a doctor thinks a person has Raynaud’s, they may request certain tests to determine which form it is. These include:

  • Nailfold capillary microscopy: The doctor examines the fingernails with a magnifier to look at tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Changes in capillaries can indicate secondary Raynaud’s.
  • Blood tests: These tests might indicate another disease with links to Raynaud’s, such as lupus.

There is no cure for Raynaud’s disease, but there are ways to manage symptoms.

For mild forms of Raynaud’s disease, covering exposed skin before leaving the house can help. If an attack occurs, soaking the affected parts in warm, not hot water can ease symptoms and prevent them from worsening.

If stress is a factor, learning to manage stress can help.

Medication

For moderate to severe cases, medication may be necessary. These may include:

  • Alpha-1 blockers: These can counter the effect of norepinephrine, which constricts blood vessels. Examples include doxazosin and prazosin.
  • Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers: These relax the smaller blood vessels of the hands and feet. Examples include amlodipine, nifedipine, and felodipine.
  • Topical nitroglycerin ointment: Applying creams near the affected area may relieve symptoms.
  • Other vasodilators: These dilate the veins, easing symptoms. Examples include losartan, sildenafil (Viagra), fluoxetine (Prozac), and prostaglandin.

Nerve surgery

In very severe cases, more invasive procedures, such as sympathectomy, are an option.

The sympathetic nerves in the affected areas control the vasoconstriction that causes Raynaud’s.

A surgeon can perform a sympathectomy by making small incisions and stripping the nerves away from the blood vessels to decrease the frequency or severity of attacks. However, this is not always effective.

Chemical injections

Injecting certain chemicals that block sympathetic nerve fibers from carrying out vasoconstriction can be effective.

Local anesthetics or Botox work well for some people. However, the effect will wear off, and repeat treatments are necessary.

People who are prone to Raynaud’s can take measures to avoid some triggers.

Possible management techniques for Raynaud’s include:

  • wrapping up and keeping the house warm when temperatures are cold
  • avoiding emotional stress, where possible
  • exercising to promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce stress
  • avoiding medicines and substances that trigger the symptoms
  • limiting consumption of caffeine and alcohol
  • avoiding smoking

They also suggest following up with a physician, especially if sores develop on the extremities. Getting medical help may prevent worsening symptoms and serious complications.

Symptoms of Raynaud’s are mild and not life threatening for most people, especially those who have the primary form. Secondary Raynaud’s may cause more severe symptoms, but they are rarely life threatening.

Some possible complications include the following.

Chilblains

With chilblains, the skin can become itchy, red or purple, and swollen and may feel hot, burning, and tender.

Chilblains usually resolve in 1 to 2 weeks, but they can return. Keeping the extremities warm can help prevent them.

Ulcers and gangrene

If oxygen is completely cut off from the area, skin ulcers and gangrenous tissue can develop. These are hard to treat and may require amputation.

However, this is rare and mainly occurs in specific autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma.

This section answers some frequently asked questions about Raynaud’s disease.

What is the life expectancy of someone with Raynaud’s disease?

The life expectancy of a person with primary Raynaud’s is the same as someone without it.

The outlook for primary Raynaud’s disease is generally very positive. Some may experience a sudden resolution in symptoms and become free from attacks.

However, those with secondary Raynaud’s do not experience a spontaneous resolution of the disease, as their symptoms occur due to another condition.

The life expectancy of a person with secondary Raynaud’s may depend on the condition that causes it. However, most conditions that can cause Raynaud’s, such as Sjögren disease and lupus, have a typical or near-typical life expectancy.

What foods should you avoid with Raynaud’s disease?

There is no research that explicitly links foods with worsening Raynaud’s symptoms.

However, a person with Raynaud’s may wish to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages and alcohol, as these can worsen symptoms and make an episode more likely.

Raynaud’s disease is an issue with blood circulation that causes the extremities to turn cold and numb when temperatures drop.

It can happen on its own with no known cause or as a result of another condition, such as lupus or Sjögren disease.

Treatments involve managing symptoms, medications, and, in some cases, surgery or chemical injections to control the nerves in the blood vessels.

The outlook for Raynaud’s is generally positive, and people with primary Raynaud’s may even experience a remission in symptoms.