What it is
Keeping warm, wearing gloves and warm socks, stopping smoking and managing stress help most people.
If symptoms are severe, medicines that widen the blood vessels may be offered. Secondary Raynaud's needs checking and treatment of the underlying cause.
Common signs
- Fingers or toes turning white, blue or purple, then red
- Coldness, numbness or pins and needles
- Pain or throbbing as blood flow returns
- Attacks lasting minutes to hours
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about symptoms
- Blood tests to look for related conditions
- Sometimes nailfold capillaroscopy
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Blood test results
- Rheumatology or GP letters
- Medicine lists
Questions to ask your doctor
- Could my Raynaud's be linked to another condition?
- What can I do to prevent attacks?
- Would medicine help me?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sores, ulcers or blackened skin on the fingers or toes: get urgent help the same day
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.