Raynaud's Disease
Raynaud's Disease can cause skin color changes (pale or bluish discoloration), numbness, and pain of the fingers or toes. The typical patient complains of an oversensitivity to cold. Symptoms can be caused by exposure to cold (such as holding something cold or during cold weather). Emotional stress is also felt to be a possible cause. On exposure to cold, the hands and fingers will become pale and then perhaps numb. As the hands are warmed they may take on a bluish color and even become painful.
Raynaud's is generally caused by a constriction of the arteries in the hands and fingers. Treatment consists of absolute avoidance of tobacco, avoidance of exposure to cold, and protection of the extremities when going into the cold (keep hands and feet warm with gloves and warm socks/footwear whenever being exposed to the cold). Vasoconstriction is reversible- with warming, the narrowed arteries relax and return to their normal size.
Raynaud's is episodic and symptoms improve with warming of the extremities. If persistent pain develops, or if any skin sores develop, a physician should evaluate the patient. Persistent symptoms suggest blockage of the arteries, a more serious problem than the temporary constriction usually seen in Raynaud's.
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