What is Raynaud’s?

Raynaud's (pronounced Ray-nodes) is a common condition that is estimated to affect up to 10 million people in the UK.

Raynaud's presenting in three fingers on a woman's hand

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What is a Raynaud's attack?

When we are exposed to the cold, a normal response of the body is for the blood vessels, such as those in the fingers and toes, to become narrower. When someone has Raynaud’s, the narrowing of the blood vessels is more extreme, resulting in the skin changing colour. The fingers and toes may change from white to blue, and then to red. A Raynaud’s attack can be very painful, especially as the circulation returns. Raynaud’s can also affect other parts of the bodies extremities such as the lips, nose, ears and nipples in the same way.

The main triggers of a Raynaud’s attack are exposure to the cold, temperature changes and emotional stress.

Most people diagnosed with the condition will have primary Raynaud’s, meaning that there are no other complications. Secondary Raynaud’s is far less common, and is caused by another autoimmune condition, such as scleroderma. Someone who has secondary Raynaud’s may be prone to more serious complications as a result of Raynaud’s attacks, such as finger ulcers.

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Two hands wearing grey wooly gloves, covered in snow

There are two different types of Raynaud’s: primary and secondary.

Primary Raynaud’s

This is when Raynaud’s occurs by itself, and is not associated with any other health issues. This is the most common type of Raynaud’s. This is usually a milder form of Raynaud’s and the condition tends to be fairly manageable.

Secondary Raynaud’s

This is when another health condition causes the blood vessels to overreact, leading to Raynaud’s symptoms. The diseases most often linked with Raynaud’s are autoimmune or connective tissue diseases, such as: scleroderma, lupus, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders. People living with secondary Raynaud’s will often experience more severe symptoms. This type of Raynaud’s is less common.

Secondary Raynaud’s needs more investigation and more careful monitoring for complications like ulceration or sores. If you notice a change in your symptoms or you have any other health concerns, it is important to tell your doctor, who may carry out some tests to rule out other conditions.