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Raynaud's Phenomenon

more about Raynaud's Phenomenon


  • Raynaud's Phenomenon describes a process in which the fingertips turn white or blue when exposed to cold, or when one is under stress.  It is very similar to Raynaud's Disease except that it is usually due to some other condition.  It is caused by reduced circulation to the fingers when the blood vessels tighten (or constrict).  Young women are most commonly affected.  It is usually a mild condition that does not cause severe problems.
  • Raynaud's Phenomenon is not a specific disease but rather a group of symptoms that affect people who have certain diseases.  The main symptom is that the fingertips become very white (or occasionally blue) when exposed to cold weather or when one is under emotional stress.  The fingers then subsequently turn red when re-warmed.  There may be some pain or numbness. Treatment depends on what disease is causing the problem.


  • Most people with this condition notice that their hands turn very white (or perhaps even blue) when they are exposed to cold or when they are under a lot of stress.
  • The process usually affects the fingers, but may also affect the toes.
  • Initially, only one or two fingers may be affected.  However, eventually it will affect the other fingers and sometimes even the palms.  The thumbs usually are not involved.
  • It can affect one or both hands.  It can involve one or more fingers.
  • Symptoms either go away by themselves or when the hands are re-warmed, for example with a heater or with hot water.
  • Once the hands are re-warmed, they usually turn very red.
  • Some people may notice pain, numbness, stiffness, or swelling as the symptoms disappear.
  • In between attacks, there are usually no symptoms at all.
  • When the pulses are checked, they are normal.  The arteries supplying the hands are fine and are not narrowed.  Rather, the problem is that the blood vessels spasm and contract when exposed to cold or when the person is under stress.
  • If the condition is very severe, then ulcers may form on the fingertips or the muscles, and skin in the fingertips may become weak and atrophied.
  • Symptoms usually disappear when the weather becomes warmer.


  • It is not clear what causes Raynaud's Phenomenon.  Basically, the blood vessels tighten, resulting in reduced circulation to the fingers.  It is believed that there may be some nerve involvement as a factor.  However, this has not been conclusively proven.
  • Raynaud's Phenomenon usually occurs in association with other diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, thoracic outlet syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disorder, Frostbite, cryoglobulinemia, and systemic sclerosis.  Also, people who have been treated with chemotherapy, especially a combination of vincristine and bleomycin, can develop a severe form of this problem.


  • Primarily based on symptoms
  • There are no specific tests for the condition itself.
  • However, there are tests available to detect the other diseases associated with this condition -- and those tests need to be done.


  • There are no specific risk factors other than exposure to cold or emotional stress, or having one of the diseases related to this problem.
  • It is believed that smoking may worsen the condition.


  • The primary treatment is to keep the hands warm.  Protect them from exposure to cold.
  • Also, hands should be protected from any injury.  Due to the problems with circulation, wounds heal more slowly in people with this disease.  If an infection does occur, it is harder to treat because of reduced circulation.
  • Lotions and moisturizers should be used to keep the hands and fingertips moist.
  • If you smoke then you must stop immediately.
  • Medication can be tried when the above measures are not effective.  However, the response to medication varies from person-to-person.
  • Nitroglycerin -- taken as a pill or applied as a patch.  In a few cases, nitroglycerin ointment applied directly to the fingers has been tried with some success.  However, this is not very practical.
  • Nifedipine -- this medicine is generally used to control blood pressure.  It can be used to treat the disease but, once again, results vary from person-to-person.
  • Sympathectomy -- this is a type of surgery.  If the condition becomes very severe and medications are not working, then surgery can be done to cut the nerves that cause the blood vessels to tighten (or constrict).  This will let the blood vessels dilate and help improve the circulation.  However, in many cases, the body adapts after a few years and the symptoms may reappear.  This is truer in the hands.  In the feet, this surgery usually results in a more permanent solution. If the symptoms do reappear, they are often not as severe.
  • Most cases of Raynaud's Phenomenon are not severe. However, the long-term outlook depends on the underlying disease process that is causing Raynaud's Phenomenon.


  • Formation of ulcers on the fingertips
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Pain
  • Weakening of the muscles of the hand
  • The skin may thin and weaken
  • Stiffening of the joints


  • Seek medical attention.
  • Also, try to keep your hands warm as much as possible.


  • There is no real way to prevent this disease.  You can try to reduce the symptoms by avoiding exposure to cold.





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