HEALTH: Ten facts about Raynaud’s Disease

It’s a common condition – yet the charity Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) says around half of adults don’t know any of the signs of Raynaud’s, and millions could be unknowingly living with it and tolerating painful symptoms that could be eased with treatment.

“Raynaud’s can have a huge impact on day-to-day life,” says SRUK chief executive Sue Farrington. “Simple activities like reaching for something out of the freezer, or even small changes in the weather can set off painful attacks. Unfortunately, we know many people are likely to brush off symptoms and don’t seek help from their GP.”

Farrington says for some people, Raynaud’s can also be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, like scleroderma or lupus, and it’s vital for anyone who regularly experiences painful and cold hands or feet to seek help. They can also take SRUK’s free online test (sruk.co.uk/testme) to check whether they may need to get symptoms looked at.

Here’s what you need to know about the condition, according to SRUK…

1. It narrows blood vessels

Exposure to the cold normally makes blood vessels narrower, but when someone has Raynaud’s, the narrowing is more severe in the small blood vessels in the extremities such as the hands and feet, causing decreased blood flow which can lead to more severe coldness and pain.

2. Raynaud’s can make hands and feet change colour

Extremities such as the hands or feet can change colour, from white to blue to red, during a Raynaud’s attack, often when it’s cold.

3. Coldness and numbness

Areas like fingers and toes will feel cold and numb during a Raynaud’s attack.

4. Tingling and pain

As the circulation returns to the affected areas, people with Raynaud’s may feel tingling or pain in them.

5. It doesn’t just affect hands and feet

As well as the hands and feet, the pain and coldness can also affect the lips, nose, ears and nipples.

6. Stress is also a trigger

As well as exposure to the cold, stress is a known trigger for Raynaud’s attacks.

7. Raynaud’s is more common in women

Although anyone, including children and babies, can potentially get Raynaud’s, the condition is up to four times more likely in women than men, and often starts before the age of 30.

8. There are two types of Raynaud’s

SRUK says most people diagnosed with Raynaud’s will have the ‘primary’ form of the condition, meaning there are no other complications. ‘Secondary’ Raynaud’s is far less common, and means it is caused by another underlying autoimmune condition, such as scleroderma or lupus.

9. It may be hereditary

SRUK says Raynaud’s could be hereditary, as there may be several cases in the same family. However, many people with primary Raynaud’s don’t have relatives with it and don’t know why they’ve developed the condition.

10. There are treatments

As well as keeping hands and feet warm, natural remedies which may help include ginkgo biloba, ginger, hawthorn, cayenne, magnesium, horse chestnut, dong quai, and prickly ash (always check with your own doctor or pharmacist before introducing new treatments). Dietary changes may also be helpful, such as omega-3 oils and antioxidant vitamins (particularly vitamins C and E). Prescribed treatments can include calcium channel blocker medications, vasodilator drugs that relax blood vessels, including Viagra and some antidepressants.

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