What is Raynaud's Disease?
Raynaud's disease (also called Raynaud's phenomenon or syndrome) is a condition that affects blood supply to certain parts of the body — usually the fingers and toes — causing them to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. During an episode, affected areas typically turn white (due to reduced blood flow), then blue (from lack of oxygen), then red (as blood returns). Episodes usually last a few minutes but can last longer.
Types
There are two types of Raynaud's:
- Primary Raynaud's — not linked to any other disease; the most common type, often mild
- Secondary Raynaud's — caused by an underlying condition, such as lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis; tends to be more severe
Triggers
- Cold temperatures
- Emotional stress
- Holding cold objects
- Air conditioning
Management
- Keep warm — wear gloves, warm socks, and layers
- Avoid sudden temperature changes
- Exercise regularly to improve circulation
- Stop smoking
- Manage stress
- Medications — calcium channel blockers (e.g. nifedipine) to widen blood vessels
What happens during an attack
In Raynaud's, small blood vessels in the fingers and toes overreact to cold or stress and narrow sharply. The skin often turns white, then blue as oxygen drops, then red as blood rushes back. Fingers can feel numb, painful, tingly or throb as they warm up. Attacks can last from a few minutes to much longer. It can involve the toes too, and less often the ears, nose or nipples.
Primary and secondary Raynaud's
Primary Raynaud's happens on its own, often starting in the teens or twenties. It is usually a nuisance rather than a danger.
Secondary Raynaud's happens because of another condition, most often an autoimmune condition such as scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), lupus, Sjögren's or rheumatoid arthritis. Some medicines, smoking and heavy use of vibrating tools can also cause it. Secondary Raynaud's is more likely to start later in life, affect only some fingers, be severe, or cause skin sores.
How a GP will assess it
Your GP will ask about your attacks, other symptoms such as joint pain, rashes, tight skin, dry eyes or mouth and difficulty swallowing, and your medicines. They may arrange blood tests, including tests for autoimmune conditions. A specialist may look at the tiny blood vessels at the base of your nails with a magnifier (capillaroscopy), which helps show whether an underlying condition is likely.
Keeping warm and preventing attacks
Keeping your whole body warm matters as much as warming your hands.
- Dress in layers and keep your core warm; wear a hat and warm socks.
- Use gloves or mittens outdoors and when handling cold food from the fridge or freezer.
- Try hand and foot warmers, heated gloves or insoles on cold days.
- Warm the car before you set off, and avoid sudden moves from warm rooms into cold air where possible.
- Stop smoking, as it narrows blood vessels further; your GP or pharmacy can help.
- Keep active to help circulation, and find ways to manage stress, which can trigger attacks.
- If an attack starts, move somewhere warm and warm your hands gently in lukewarm, not hot, water or under your armpits.
Medicines and specialist treatment
If self-help is not enough, your GP may suggest a medicine that relaxes blood vessels, most commonly a calcium channel blocker. Your GP will talk through side effects such as headaches, flushing or ankle swelling. Your GP will also review any current medicines that could be making Raynaud's worse. People with severe secondary Raynaud's, especially with finger ulcers, are usually cared for by a rheumatology team, who have further treatments available, including hospital-based infusions.
When to see a GP or get urgent help
See your GP if Raynaud's starts after about age 30, affects only one side or a few fingers, is very painful, or comes with joint pain, rashes, tight skin, tiredness, dry eyes or mouth, or difficulty swallowing. Seek urgent medical advice the same day if a finger or toe develops a sore or ulcer, turns black, or stays white or blue and cold rather than recovering after warming.
About this page
Written by Louis Maxwell, First Contact Practitioner (HCPC PH128483), and pending clinical review. This is general information, not a diagnosis. Always follow the advice of your own GP, physiotherapist or rheumatology team. For emergencies call 999; for urgent advice use NHS 111.