Raynaud’s disease is a common condition that affects blood circulation. According to the charity, Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK, around one in two people in the UK are affected by Raynaud’s disease, which is equivalent to over 24 million of us.
Raynaud’s disease can cause numbness, pins and needles, and a change of skin colour – typically in the fingers and toes – when a person is exposed to low temperatures, anxiety, or stress. While Raynaud’s disease isn’t usually harmful, it can sometimes indicate the presence of an underlying health condition and be uncomfortable and painful to live with.
In this article, we’ll cover exactly what Raynaud’s disease is, what causes it, and offer tips on how to cope.
What is Raynaud’s disease?
Raynaud’s disease is a condition that’s caused by abnormal spasms of blood vessels. This results in poor circulation in the extremities – mainly the hands, feet, fingers, and toes.
Those affected by Raynaud’s often have smaller blood vessels in these areas of the body, making them overly sensitive to stress, anxiety, or low temperatures.
Women are more likely to suffer from Raynaud’s disease than men, while those who live in colder geographic locations are also more likely to be affected.
For more information about what Raynaud’s disease is, have a watch of the video below…
What are the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease?
When our bodies are exposed to cold temperatures, it’s normal for blood vessels to narrow. However, for people with Raynaud’s, this reaction can be more extreme.
Raynaud’s disease can cause areas of the body to feel numb, cold, or change colour. A person’s skin may turn white when blood flow is restricted, blue as blood vessels start to react, and red as blood flow returns. They may also experience numbness, pain, or a tingling sensation in the affected areas as circulation returns. These symptoms are known as a Raynaud’s attack.
A Raynaud’s attack can be very uncomfortable and, in some cases, quite painful. It can also make day-to-day tasks, such as tying your shoelaces or unzipping a jacket, difficult.
While Raynaud’s disease most commonly affects the fingers and toes, other areas, such as the lips, nose, nipples, and ears can also be affected. Symptoms can last for a few minutes to a few hours.
If some of these symptoms sound familiar but you’re unsure whether or not it’s Raynaud’s you’re experiencing, why not take this online Raynaud’s test?
Types of Raynaud’s disease
There are two different types of Raynaud’s disease: primary and secondary.
Generally, primary Raynaud’s is less serious because the condition tends to be more manageable. However, people living with secondary Raynaud’s will often experience more severe symptoms, which can be trickier to cope with.
Primary Raynaud’s disease
Primary Raynaud’s disease is when symptoms aren’t caused by another condition.
Primary Raynaud’s is typically a fairly mild condition and there are various ways to manage symptoms. It’s unusual for people with primary Raynaud’s disease to experience any related complications.
Secondary Raynaud’s disease
Secondary Raynaud’s disease is when the symptoms of Raynaud’s are caused by another condition – usually an autoimmune disease such as scleroderma or lupus.
People with secondary Raynaud’s disease will often require further tests and monitoring to help prevent complications, such as ulceration or sores.
Have a watch of the video below to hear from Lorraine, who was diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease and scleroderma.
Note: If you notice a change in your Raynaud’s symptoms, or are concerned about the impact of the condition on your life, it’s important to speak to your GP. They’ll be able to carry out tests to rule out any other conditions. You can search for your local GP using this tool on the NHS website.
What steps can I take to manage Raynaud’s disease symptoms?
While there’s no cure for Raynaud’s disease, the condition can be managed. Often, the best way to manage symptoms is to try and prevent a Raynaud’s attack from happening in the first place. As a result, planning ahead and adopting certain lifestyle habits can be effective. These include…
Take steps to control stress and anxiety
Stress, paired with exposure to cold, is a common trigger for Raynaud’s.
Diaphragmatic breathing (which uses your diaphragm and lower chest muscles) has been shown to be especially effective at reducing stress. You can read more about this in our article; 3 breathing exercises for anxiety and stress relief.
Taking part in other relaxing activities such as yoga or Pilates can also relieve stress. If you’re interested in trying yoga or Pilates, why not sign up to an online class on our Rest Less Events platform?
Avoid vasoconstricting medications where possible
Vasoconstricting medications constrict blood vessels which can worsen circulation to areas of the body affected by Raynaud’s.
Examples of drugs linked with vasospasm include over-the-counter nasal decongestants, amphetamines, diet pills, and some medications used for migraine headaches.
Note: It’s best to speak to your GP if you’re concerned that a medication is making your Raynauld’s symptoms worse.
Keep warm
It’s important to do all you can to keep warm, as even slight temperature changes can cause a Raynaud’s attack.
Wearing thin layers, and using hand warmers, feet warmers, thick socks, thermal insoles, and fleece blankets can be useful. Alternatively, Amazon also sells a range of doctor-developed Raynaud’s gloves.
Avoid vibrating tools and trauma to the fingertips where possible
This study found that vibrating tools (including chainsaws, chippers, and grinders) caused Raynaud’s disease in a variety of workers.
If your work involves the use of vibrating tools and you’re worried about developing or exacerbating symptoms of Raynaud’s disease, you might find this guide from Pulsar Instruments useful.
Exercise regularly
Exercise can help to boost circulation and improve symptoms of Raynaud’s disease. Even gentle, low-impact exercises can get your blood pumping.
If you’re stuck for inspiration, you’ll find plenty of exercise ideas on the fitness and exercise section of our website. Alternatively, you may like to sign up for a fitness class on Rest Less Events – there’s everything from belly dancing and aerobic fitness to Tai Chi and stretch classes.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Certain foods, such as ginger, garlic, and spicy foods, are believed to help improve Raynaud’s disease symptoms.
Making sure you eat enough protein can also help the body heal quicker, which is especially important for anyone living with secondary Raynaud’s who may experience ulceration. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our article; 12 high-protein meal ideas.
Or, for more healthy cooking ideas, head over to the diet and nutrition and food and drink sections of our website.
Stop smoking
One cigarette can reduce the body’s temperature by as much as one degree for up to 20 minutes, and smoking is known for constricting blood vessels. Plus, giving up smoking is highly beneficial for overall health.
You can find stop smoking resources on the NHS website.
Avoid having too much caffeine
Caffeine can affect blood vessel constriction and cause Raynaud’s attacks. Products with high caffeine content include coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, and chocolate.
Our article, How to make healthier drink choices, offers some useful alternatives.
When should I see my GP?
If your Raynaud’s symptoms are worsening and impacting your daily life, it’s worth seeking advice from your GP. They can advise you on how to cope and, in some cases, prescribe medication to help improve circulation.
If your GP suspects you have secondary Raynaud’s and that your symptoms are a sign of a more serious condition, they may arrange further tests.
What support is there for people living with Raynaud’s disease?
If you’re struggling with Raynaud’s disease and feel you’d benefit from some help and guidance, there’s plenty of support available.
Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) is a charity for people living with scleroderma and Raynuad’s. It offers information and advice about living with Raynaud’s, runs support groups throughout the UK, and features members’ stories about living with Raynaud’s.
Final thoughts…
Raynuad’s disease is a common condition that affects blood circulation. While there’s no specific cure, the good news is that plenty of steps and lifestyle changes can help people manage and relieve symptoms.
While Raynaud’s disease isn’t usually harmful, in some cases it can be a sign of an underlying health condition, so it’s important not to dismiss your symptoms and to speak to your GP if you’re concerned.
For further reading, head over to the health section of our website. Here, you’ll find articles like 6 ways to improve poor circulation and Rheumatoid arthritis – symptoms, causes, and ways to cope.
Do you suffer from Raynaud’s disease, or know somebody who does? What do you find most useful in managing the condition? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
