Raynaud’s Syndrome is when blood vessels over react to low temperatures or stress and reduce blood flow to extremities. As a result, they will change color from the lack of blood flow. It is painful for some. It appears in the hands and feet are most often, however the ears, toes, nipples, knees, or nose can also be impacted. For most people, it isn’t a serious health problem. But for some, the reduced blood flow can cause damage.
Types of Raynaud’s Syndrome
- Primary Raynaud’s (or Raynaud’s disease) is most common and happens without any other illness behind it. The symptoms are often mild and it can resolve on its own.
- Secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s syndrome, Raynaud’s phenomenon) results from another illness. It’s often a condition that attacks your body’s connective tissues, like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma. It’s less common, but tends to be more serious and more likely to cause serious health problems. This can include things like skin sores and gangrene. These happen when cells and tissue in your toes and fingers die from lack of blood.
What Causes Raynaud’s Syndrome
Doctors do not know the exact cause of Raynaud’s, but it appears that blood vessels in the hands and feet overreact to cold temperatures or stress.
It is possible that some blood disorders may cause Raynaud’s by increasing the blood thickness. This may happen due to excess platelets or red blood cells. Or special receptors in the blood that control the narrowing of the blood vessels may be more sensitive. (cite Hopkins medicine)
Primary Raynaud’s has no cause and is not associated with any particular medical condition.
Secondary Raynaud’s is caused by an underlying medical condition such as:
- Connective tissue diseases. Most people who have a rare disease that leads to hardening and scarring of the skin (scleroderma) have Raynaud’s. Other diseases that increase the risk of Raynaud’s include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome.
- Diseases of the arteries. These include a buildup of plaques in blood vessels that feed the heart, a disorder in which the blood vessels of the hands and feet become inflamed, and a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries of the lungs.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition involves pressure on a major nerve to your hand, producing numbness and pain in the hand that can make the hand more susceptible to cold temperatures.
- Repetitive action or vibration. Typing, playing piano or doing similar movements for long periods and operating vibrating tools, such as jackhammers, can lead to overuse injuries.
- Smoking. Smoking constricts blood vessels.
- Injuries to the hands or feet. Examples include a wrist fracture, surgery or frostbite.
- Certain medications. These include beta blockers for high blood pressure, migraine medications that contain ergotamine and sumatriptan, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications, certain chemotherapy agents, and drugs that cause blood vessels to narrow, such as some over-the-counter cold medications.
Symptoms on Raynaud’s Syndrome
Signs and symptoms of Raynaud’s disease include:
- Hypersensitivity to cold and stress – particularly in the fingers and toes.
- Color changes in your skin in response to cold or stress -often turning white, then red and sometimes even dark purple as blood flow returns.
- Numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain upon warming or stress relief
During a Raynaud’s attack the affected areas of your skin usually first turn white. Then, they often turn blue and feel cold and numb. As you warm and your circulation improves, the affected areas may turn red, throb, tingle or swell.
Although Raynaud’s most commonly affects your fingers and toes, it can also affect other areas of your body, such as your nose, lips, ears and even nipples. After you warm up, the return of normal blood flow to the area can take 15 minutes. Simple techniques can be used to gently increase circulation during an attack.
Who Gets Raynaud’s
Although anyone can develop the condition, primary Raynaud’s often begins between the ages of 15 and 30. Children can also develop Raynaud’s, however it is less common. The disorder is also more common in people who live in colder climates.
Primary Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs more frequently in women than in men; and it usually occurs in the second or third decade of life.
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing the Raynauds, such as:
- A connective tissue or Autoimmune Disease
- Cigarette smoking
- Chemical exposure
- Injury or trauma
- Repetitive actions, such as typing or use of tools that vibrate like a jack hammer
- Side effects from certain medicines
- Excessive Stress
When to See a Doctor for Raynaud’s Syndrome
As with any medical condition, it is always best to visit a doctor. Your doctor will look at the body as a whole and explore external and internal factors that could be causing the condition. They may also run blood tests and even refer you to a specialist if necessary. Raynauds can last for a short period of time or a lifetime so finding a good doctor is key for long-term care.
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/raynauds-phenomenon
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/raynauds-phenomenon
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331197-overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20363571