Raynaud’s disease is a condition in some areas of the body like the fingers, toes, tip of the ears and nose which becomes numb and cool in a reaction to cold temperatures or stress. In this condition the smaller arteries that supplies blood to the skin narrows, thus there is limited blood circulation in these affected areas. Women are more susceptible to this condition and those who are living in colder climates.
Symptoms of Raynaud’s disease
- There is sequence of color changes in the skin when responding to cold and stress.
- The fingers and toes are cold
- Feeling numb and stinging pain when warming or relief from stress
- During an attack, the skin becomes white and then turns into blue. The person is feeling cold and numb and the sense of touch is poor. As the circulation begins to improve, the affected area becomes red, there is throbbing and swelling. Not all people suffering from this condition will experience these three changes in colors.
- Raynaud’s disease most commonly affects the fingers and toes, but it can also affect the nose, ears, and even the nipples, and the attack can last for a minute or for several hours.
Causes of Raynaud’s disease
There are two types of Raynaud’s disease – primary and secondary. In primary Raynaud’s also known as Raynaud’s disease, the cause is not known and it is more common and less severe than the secondary Raynaud’s.
Secondary Raynaud’s it can be caused by disease, condition and other factors, and this is called the Raynaud’s phenomenon. Here are some causes:
- Repetitive actions that cause damage to the nerve that control the arteries in the hands and feet.
- Medications that causes the constriction of the arteries or affects the blood pressure
- Diseases and conditions that causes damage to the arteries and nerves that controls the arteries in the hands and feet.
- Injuries to the hand and feet and exposure to some chemicals
Treatment and home remedies
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking since it can cause the constriction of blood vessels that can cause an attack.
- Avoid caffeine is can cause an increase of symptoms of the disease
- Taking care of the hands and feet. Do not walk barefooted and avoid using constricted wristbands, footwear or even rings.
If a person is attacked by the disease, these are the first aid measures you have to perform. It is best to enroll in a first aid course today so that you know what to do.
- Place the arms under the person’s armpits
- Move the person to a warmer place
- Let the person wiggle his/her fingers and toes as well as making wide circles of the arms like a windmill.
- Run warm water over the fingers and toes.
Prevention
- During winter or cold season, the person should wear warming clothes such as a hat, socks, scarf, boots and mittens.
- Setting the air conditioner to a warmer temperature to prevent attacks.
- Move to a warmer place for people with severe Raynaud’s disease.