Health Encyclopedia

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Definition

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition in which cold temperatures or strong emotions cause blood vessel spasms that block blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Raynaud's phenomenon can be associated with diseases of the arteries such as:

Other causes of Raynaud's phenomenon may include:

Repeated injury, particularly from vibrations such as those caused by typing or playing the piano
Overdose of of certain medicines, including ergot compounds and methysergide
Smoking

Symptoms

Strong emotion or exposure to the cold causes the fingers, toes, ears, or nose to become white, then turn blue. When blood flow returns, the area becomes red and then later returns to normal color. The attacks may last from minutes to hours.

Specific symptoms include:

Toes or fingers that change color when exposed to the cold
Toes or fingers that change color upon pressure
Pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to the cold
Tingling or pain on warming

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Signs and tests

The doctor will perform a physical exam. Vascular ultrasound and a cold stimulation test for Raynaud's phenomenon may be done.

Treatment

Medications to relax the walls of the blood vessels may be prescribed. Treatment of the underlying condition is important.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome varies depending on the cause and the severity of the phenomenon.

Complications

If the condition gets worse, blood flow to the area could become permanently decreased, causing the fingers to become thin and tapered, with smooth, shiny skin and slow growing nails. If an artery becomes blocked completely, gangrene or ulceration of the skin may occur.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have a history of Raynaud's phenomenon and the affected body part (arm, hand, leg, foot, or other part) develops an infection or ulceration.

Prevention

Avoid exposure to the cold. Dress warmly when you cannot avoid cold. If you smoke, stop smoking, as it further constricts the blood vessels.

Review Date:4/27/2007
Reviewed By:Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.