October 12, 2023 By Complete Care Shop Creative Team

Raynaud's disease: condition guide

Raynaud’s is a chronic condition that affects one in six people in the UK¹. While not life-threatening, it can be very challenging and painful to live with. If you’ve ever wondered what Raynaud’s disease is and would like to know more about the condition after your or a loved one’s diagnosis, our guide can provide you with the information you need.

In this guide, we’ll explore what causes Raynaud's symptoms and how to best live with the condition, as well as the treatment, aids, and support options that are available.

The advice below is for informational purposes only, and does not replace any advice from a medical professional. If you’re concerned that you may have any of the symptoms discussed, or need further advice about Raynaud’s, please speak with your GP.

What is Raynaud's disease?

Raynaud’s is a condition that causes the extremities to be ultra-sensitive to changes in temperature and stress, leading to body parts changing colour. The affected areas start by turning white due to restricted blood flow, then blue due to low oxygen, and then red as blood begins to flow back into the area again. Individuals may feel sensations such as numbness due to the blood vessels contracting or being in spasm, the lack of initial blood flow and then the rush of blood back to the area.

Many people live with Raynaud’s without seeing their doctor or receiving an official diagnosis. The symptoms can vary from person to person, with some experiencing only mild symptoms while others have more severe ones. The pain that Raynaud’s symptoms cause can significantly affect daily life for many people.

Anyone can get Raynaud's, though it commonly affects young women and girls. Some people live with Raynaud’s for a while and then recover, while others can live with it for the rest of their lives from when it first develops. Around 10% of the population is thought to have Raynaud's, and 90% have the less severe type, called ‘primary Raynaud’s’.

What causes Raynaud’s disease?

There are two types of Raynaud’s, classified as primary or secondary. Primary Raynaud’s is when the condition develops with no underlying health condition, experienced as a set of Raynaud’s symptoms only. Secondary Raynaud’s is instead experienced as a result of another health condition and may cause individuals to experience more significant effects.

Nobody knows why Raynaud’s symptoms occur or why some people experience them, and others don’t, but it’s thought to be linked to how the nervous system controls the body’s blood vessels.

What are the symptoms of Raynaud's disease?

Everyone experiences Raynaud’s symptoms differently. It could manifest as ‘simple’ poor circulation, it could cause regular pain and discomfort or be caused by other health conditions, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, or lupus. Some common Raynaud’s symptoms include:

Skin colour changes to white, blue, or red (or all three)
Extremities feeling painful, numb, or stiff
Pins and needles
Throbbing feeling
Sensitivity to temperature changes

People with severe Raynaud’s often experience the symptoms more intensely:

Extreme cold and heat when circulation comes and goes
Constantly swollen hands
Difficulty gripping or holding small items
Extreme sensitivity to even slight temperature change
Ulcers due to tissue damage may develop if Raynaud’s spasms are regular

If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, please consult your GP or healthcare provider. They may be able to diagnose you, rule out other underlying health conditions, and advise on self-care and treatments.

Treatments for Raynaud's disease

Raynaud’s disease cannot be cured, but treatments can help reduce the discomfort, pain, and severity of attacks. If you have secondary Raynaud’s, you’re likely to need additional treatments for the underlying condition causing your symptoms. Many of the treatments for Primary Raynaud’s are self-care treatments, including:

Keeping warm as much as possible
Exercise to help circulation
Avoiding stress
Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol
Avoiding too much caffeine
Eating a healthy, balanced diet

Many people try pain relief medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, during a Raynaud’s attack. This works for some but not for others. You may be prescribed Nifedipine if your symptoms are getting worse.

For people with severe symptoms of the feet, a lumbar sympathectomy is possible, which works well for some to relieve pain. Acupuncture and reflexology are natural treatments that some people find helpful in reducing their symptoms. Many people use bath salt, lavender essential oil, and other natural products that they feel provide relief.

Everyone will respond differently to Raynaud’s treatment, and different things will help different people. If you have Raynaud’s and you feel your condition is getting worse to the point where it’s greatly affecting your life, you should speak to your GP.

Living well with Raynaud’s disease

Raynaud’s disease can cause varying symptoms and affect everyone differently. While most people live well with Raynaud’s and can manage their symptoms, some are more severely affected and may experience pain and difficulty doing everyday tasks.

How well you’re able to live with Raynaud’s will depend upon the severity of your symptoms and how effective treatment is for you. Many people with Raynaud’s find colder weather particularly difficult and need to wear multiple pairs of gloves and socks, thick lined boots or thermal insoles, and use portable heating devices such as hand warmers. However, some people may even be sensitive to slight temperature changes throughout the seasons.

Useful products

At Complete Care Shop, we are experts in daily living aids and mobility aids that can provide support for people living with Raynaud’s disease.

Hand and foot warmers can help to relieve the cold feeling and various symptoms of Raynaud’s.
Living aids can help make your day-to-day life more comfortable and supported if Raynaud’s symptoms are making it difficult to use your hands or feet.
Riser recliner chairs can help you get up from a seated position more easily.
Mobility aids such as rollators, self-propelled wheelchairs, or attendant-propelled wheelchairs can give you support and allow you to get around without unnecessary strain or pressure on your feet.
Kitchen aids can make it easier to complete household chores such as cooking and cleaning.
Dressing aids can make getting dressed independently less of a hassle.

Helpful resources

There are several communities, charities, and resources dedicated to helping those who live with Raynaud’s disease:

Aids for Raynaud’s Disease at Complete Care Shop

At Complete Care Shop, we provide many disability aids that make day-to-day living more comfortable and convenient if you live with Raynaud’s disease. If you are curious about which aids are best for you, contact us today, and a member of our friendly team will be able to assist you.

1https://www.sruk.co.uk/about-us/news/raynauds-awareness-month-2021/

Glossary

Although we always try to explain things as simply and as clearly as possible, sometimes it’s necessary to use the correct medical terminology. Medical terms are often known for being tricky to pronounce and if you’re not an expert in the subject, they can also be a little difficult to understand. Below, we’ve put together a list of terms used on this page along with a brief explanation of what they mean to help make your understanding of Raynaud’s as straightforward as possible.

1 https://www.sruk.co.uk/about-us/news/raynauds-awareness-month-2021/