Raynaud’s Disease Summary Raynaud’s disease is a rare disorder of the blood vessels, usually in the fingers and toes. It causes the blood vessels to narrow when you are cold or feeling stressed. When this happens, blood can’t get to the surface of the skin and the affected areas turn white and blue. When the blood flow returns, the skin turns red and throbs or tingles. In severe cases, loss of blood flow can cause sores or tissue death. Primary Raynaud’s happens on its own. The cause is not known. There is also secondary Raynaud’s, which is caused by injuries, other diseases, or certain medicines. People in colder climates are more likely to develop Raynaud’s. It is also more common in women, people with a family history, and those over age 30. Treatment for Raynaud’s may include drugs to keep the blood vessels open. There are also simple things you can do yourself, such as Soaking hands in warm water at the first sign of an attack Keeping your hands and feet warm in cold weather Avoiding triggers, such as certain medicines and stress NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Treatments and Therapies Alpha Blockers Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Calcium Channel Blockers Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research How Is Raynaud’s Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Diagnosis and Tests ANA (Antinuclear Antibody Test) American Association for Clinical Chemistry ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry How Is Raynaud’s Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Related Issues Chilblains Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Limited Scleroderma (CREST Syndrome) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Vascular Disorders of the Upper Extremity American Society for Surgery of the Hand What Causes Raynaud’s? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Raynaud Disease National Institutes of Health Find an Expert Find a Hand Surgeon American Society for Surgery of the Hand National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Living With Living with Raynaud’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Journal Articles Raynaud’s Disease Array Raynaud phenomenon Start Here Raynaud’s Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Raynaud’s Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Raynaud’s Phenomenon Arthritis Foundation Raynaud’s Phenomenon National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases What Is Raynaud’s Phenomenon? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Images Raynaud’s Phenomenon Logical Images Encyclopedia Thromboangiitis obliterans Symptoms What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Raynaud’s? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Patient Handouts What Is Raynaud’s Phenomenon? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Prevention and Risk Factors Who Is at Risk for Raynaud’s? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
