Raynaud’s disease affects around 1 in 20 people and is more common in women and in people living in colder climates. Cold weather and stress are the most common triggers.
Raynaud’s usually affects the extremities – mainly the fingers and toes, but sometimes also the tips of the nose, lips and ears. It is caused by a temporary disruption to the blood flow in small blood vessels to these areas. This causes the affected areas to feel numb and cold, and the skin may turn white and then blue. When the episode ends, the blood vessels dilate and blood returns to the area and may cause redness, throbbing and tingling. An episode of Raynaud’s may last from a few minutes to several hours.
Most people have primary Raynaud’s disease which doesn’t have a known underlying cause and is usually mild. It occurs mainly in women between 15 and 40 years. Secondary Raynaud’s disease is less common and is caused by another underlying health condition, such as scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease or lupus. Other causes of secondary Raynaud’s include mechanical vibration (e.g. using power tools for long periods of time), carpal tunnel syndrome, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), smoking and certain medications.
There is no cure for Raynaud’s. Treatment aims to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. This may include self-help measures, nondrug treatments and in some cases, medication.
Self-help measures are usually the first line of treatment and can help to reduce your risk of further episodes. These include:
dressing warmly in cold weather including wearing gloves, warm socks, a scarf and hat
avoiding getting wet on cold days
trying to avoid rapid changes in temperature – if you have been exposed to the cold, warm the hands and feet gradually
using insulated drink holders and wearing gloves when handling cold items straight from the fridge or freezer
quitting smoking, if you smoke
limiting caffeine
exercising regularly to increase blood flow
learning to recognise and avoid stressful situations
Some studies have shown benefits of biofeedback for reducing the severity and frequency of attacks, but the findings are inconsistent, and more good quality research is needed. Thermal biofeedback training teaches you to increase the temperature of your extremities through guided imagery and relaxation training,
In some cases, medications may be used. The most commonly used medications for Raynaud’s disease are calcium-channel blockers, which cause the small blood vessels to dilate. They appear to be more effective for primary Raynaud’s. If you have secondary Raynaud’s, the focus is usually on treatment of the underlying condition.
Raynaud’s usually has no lasting effects but in more severe cases it can result in complications including impaired wound healing, increased risk of infection, ulceration, scarring and gangrene. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with your doctor.
For more information:
Visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/raynauds-phenomenon
References:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/raynauds-phenomenon
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/raynauds-phenomenon
https://www.msk.org.au/raynauds-phenomenon/
Rirash F, Tingey PC, Harding SE, Maxwell LJ, Tanjong Ghogomu E, Wells GA, Tugwell P, Pope J. Calcium channel blockers for primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Dec 13;12(12):CD000467. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000467.pub2. PMID: 29237099; PMCID: PMC6486273.
Karavidas MK, Tsai PS, Yucha C, McGrady A, Lehrer PM. Thermal biofeedback for primary Raynaud's phenomenon: a review of the literature. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2006 Sep;31(3):203-16. doi: 10.1007/s10484-006-9018-2. PMID: 17016765.
