Raynaud’s Phenomenon
When healthy people remain in a cold climate, tiny blood vessels in the skin constrict or narrow, in an effort to conserve heat. In people with Raynaud’s phenomenon (also called Raynaud’s disease or syndrome), the natural response to cold is extreme.
Tiny blood vessels go into spasm, narrowing and reducing blood flow to the affected areas. This response, called vasospasm, is seen more often in the fingers and toes, but can also occur in the ears, cheeks and nose.
In some people with this disorder, the contraction may also occur in response to emotional stress or rapid change in temperature from hot to cold.
The effect of this can be dramatic and frightening, but it is temporary and not dangerous. The color of the affected skin is very different from normal skin color. The affected area may become numb or tingling occur (tingling).
Once the affected area recovers temperature, blood vessels relax and expand, allowing more blood flow. The skin then turns pink or red as the blood returns and could be a feeling of warmth, beating or pain.
Approximately 5 to 10% of people suffer from Raynaud’s phenomenon and women are more likely than men to develop the disorder. The cause of Raynaud’s phenomenon, it is said that people have no symptoms or illness have primary Raynaud’s phenomenon, while those who have this phenomenon as part of another disease or condition suffering from secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon is commonly associated with connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma and lupus. You can also occur as a result of damage to blood vessels to injury, freezing, or drum machine use, such as jackhammer or chainsaw.
Smoking, some heart medications, migraine and diseases that affect circulation (such as atherosclerosis) also can cause secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon or can worsen pre-existing Raynaud’s phenomenon.