Ulcers and gangrene
In very severe cases of Raynaud’s the blood supply to an affected body part can become severely diminished, which normally only occurs in secondary, not primary, Raynaud’s. Without a constant supply of blood, the tissue in the body part will begin to die.
The initial sign of this process is an open sore, known as a skin ulcer, which develops on the surface of the body part.
If you suspect that you have developed a skin ulcer you should contact your GP for advice.
Left untreated more extensive tissue damage and tissue death can occur, which is known as gangrene(specifically a type of gangrene known as dry gangrene).
The symptoms of dry gangrene normally begin with a red line on the skin that marks the edges of the affected tissue. The area will become cold and numb. As the tissue dies, you may experience some pain. However, many people, particularly the elderly, experience no sensations.
The affected area of tissue will change colour from red, to brown, to black. The dead tissue will then shrivel up, separate from the healthy tissue and fall off.
If you suspect that you have developed gangrene then immediately call your GP for advice. If this is not possible, telephone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or your local out-of-hours service.
These complications will normally require admission to hospital where you will be given medication that is designed to thin your blood, which should help restore blood flow.
If you fail to respond to treatment you may require surgery to unblock or repair damaged blood vessels.
Scleroderma
Around 1 in 16 woman and 1 in 50 men with Raynaud’s will go on to develop a condition called scleroderma, usually between the ages of 25 and 55.
Scleroderma is when the body produces excessively high levels of a tough yet flexible substance, known as collagen.
Scleroderma is a Greek word meaning hard skin, but it can affect other areas of the body such as the kidneys, heart and lungs.
Symptoms of scleroderma include:
- puffy and itchy skin
- tight and uncomfortable joints
- small calcium spots and red spots under the skin
- trouble swallowing, which is known as dysphagia
- diarrhoea, bloating or constipation
There is no cure for scleroderma, but there are ways of overcoming the problems it may cause.
For example, medicines can reverse or slow down the processes that cause damage around the body.
For more information, visit the website of the Scleroderma Society, which is a UK charity for people affected by scleroderma.
