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About Raynaud phenomenon
Raynaud phenomenon causes blood vessels in your fingers and toes to narrow in response to cold or stress, leading to discomfort, numbness, and color changes. While there's no cure, effective treatments can significantly manage symptoms. TheDrugClub helps make these necessary medications more accessible and affordable, ensuring you can prioritize your health without financial strain.
Raynaud phenomenon is a condition that affects blood flow, primarily to the fingers and toes, though it can also impact the nose, ears, and lips. It occurs when small arteries, called arterioles, go into spasm, temporarily limiting blood supply. This often happens in response to cold temperatures, emotional stress, or even certain vibrations.
During a Raynaud's attack, the affected areas typically turn white due to lack of blood flow, then blue as oxygen is depleted, and finally red as blood flow returns. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, pain, and a feeling of coldness. There are two main types: primary Raynaud's (also known as Raynaud's disease), which is more common and less severe, and secondary Raynaud's (also called Raynaud's phenomenon), which is linked to an underlying health condition like lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis. Secondary Raynaud's tends to be more serious and may require more intensive management.
Treatment for Raynaud's focuses on preventing attacks and reducing their severity. Lifestyle adjustments are often the first line of defense: avoiding cold by wearing warm clothing (especially gloves and socks), managing stress, quitting smoking, and limiting caffeine. For those with more frequent or severe symptoms, medications may be prescribed. Common treatments include calcium channel blockers like nifedipine or amlodipine, which help relax blood vessels and improve circulation. Other options might include vasodilators or, in rare severe cases, even nerve surgery.
Managing a chronic condition like Raynaud's often means ongoing prescription costs. This is where TheDrugClub steps in.
The information above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.
MedlinePlus overview of Raynaud phenomenon
What is Raynaud phenomenon?
Raynaud phenomenon is a condition that affects your blood vessels (the tubes that your blood flows through). It causes your blood vessels to narrow, which decreases blood flow. This is called a Raynaud episode or "attack." The attacks usually affect your fingers and toes, causing them to become cold and numb. They may also change color, usually to white or blue. These attacks happen in response to cold temperatures or stress.
Raynaud phenomenon may also be called Raynaud disease or Raynaud syndrome.
What are the types of Raynaud phenomenon?
There are two types of Raynaud phenomenon:
Primary Raynaud phenomenon is the more common type. Its cause is unknown.
Secondary Raynaud phenomenon is usually caused by another disease or problem, such as lupus or scleroderma. Other causes may be exposure to cold or certain chemicals. This type can be more serious than the primary type.
What causes Raynaud phenomenon?
Researchers don't know exactly why some people develop Raynaud phenomenon. But they do understand how the attacks happen. When you are exposed to cold, your body tries to slow the loss of heat and maintain its temperature. To do this, the blood vessels in the top layer of your skin constrict (narrow). This moves blood from those vessels near the surface to vessels deeper in the body. But when you have Raynaud phenomenon, the blood vessels in your hands and feet react to cold or stress by narrowing quickly. They also stay narrowed for a long time.
Who is more likely to develop Raynaud phenomenon?
Anyone can develop Raynaud phenomenon, but some people are more likely to develop it:
Primary Raynaud phenomenon has been linked to: Your sex. Women get it more often than men.
Your age. It usually develops in people younger than age 30. It often starts in the teenage years.
A family history of Raynaud phenomenon. You are more likely to develop Raynaud phenomenon if you have a family member who has it.
Secondary Raynaud phenomenon has been linked to: Certain diseases. These include lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), carpal tunnel syndrome, and connective tissue disorders.
Certain medicines. Medicines that treat high blood pressure, migraines, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may cause similar symptoms to Raynaud phenomenon or make your symptoms worse.
Work-related exposures, such as repeated use of vibrating machinery (such as a jackhammer), or exposure to cold or certain chemicals.
What are the symptoms of Raynaud phenomenon?
Raynaud attacks most often happen when you get cold, for example when you grab something cold from the freezer or go into an air-conditioned building on a warm day. Attacks usually affect your fingers and toes. But sometimes they can affect other parts of your body, such as your ears, nose, lips, or nipples.
An attack causes the skin to become cold and numb. Your skin may also turn white or blue due to a lack of oxygen. As the blood flow returns, your skin may tingle, throb, or turn red. An attack may last a few minutes or a few hours. If you have darker skin, you may not be able to easily see the skin color changes.
For many people, especially those with the primary type, the symptoms are mild. People with the secondary type often have more severe symptoms. They may develop skin ulcers (open sores caused by poor blood flow) or skin infections.
How is Raynaud phenomenon diagnosed?
There is no specific test to diagnose Raynaud phenomenon. To find out if you have it, your health care provider:
Will take your medical history and ask about your symptoms.
Will do a physical exam.
May order blood and other lab tests to check for other conditions which could be causing your symptoms and/or to help decide which type of Raynaud phenomenon you have.
What are the treatments for Raynaud phenomenon?
Most people with Raynaud phenomenon can keep their symptoms under control by avoiding getting cold. But if this is not enough, medicines and, in some cases, surgical procedures can help.
Secondary Raynaud phenomenon is more likely to be serious and to need more treatments. It's also important to treat the condition or problem that is causing your Raynaud phenomenon.
You may need to see a specialist such as a rheumatologist, a doctor who treats diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.
Can Raynaud phenomenon be prevented?
Raynaud phenomenon cannot be prevented, but you can help prevent attacks and manage your symptoms by:
Placing your hands or feet in a warm place when you have an attack. This could mean putting them under warm (not hot) water or under a heating pad.
Keeping your body, especially your hands and feet, warm in cold weather.
Avoiding triggers, such as certain medicines and stress.
Quitting smoking (or not starting smoking).
Managing stress.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus topic page. Topic date: 11/03/1999. MedlinePlus file date: 10/15/2026 02:30:37.
This information is educational and is not medical advice.