Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon (usually just called Raynaud's) is a common condition of the blood vessels that supply blood to the skin.

During a Raynaud's attack, these vessels narrow, reducing blood flow to your hands.

This causes the fingers to become cold and white, with a feeling of pins and needles and numbness. The fingers eventually turn blue then red and are sometimes painful.

The condition is either:

• primary (the most common form), where there is no apparent cause, or
• secondary, which is associated with an underlying disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

How common is it?

Raynaud's is thought to affect as many as 10 million people in the UK. However, an exact figure is difficult to measure as many people are unaware that their condition has a name or that it can be treated, so do not see a doctor. It is much more common in women than in men.

The condition can affect people of all ages, though it usually develops before the age of 40.

Outlook

The symptoms of Raynaud's are usually mild and do not affect day-to-day life. Even if Raynaud's is more severe, it can be successfully managed with medicine (see Treatment, above). The condition sometimes goes away on its own.