Raynaud's Phenomenon

Many of us suffer with cold hands and feet during the winter months, but if a quick trip around the refrigerator aisles of your local supermarket leaves you with white finger  tips and feet that feel like wooden blocks to walk on, it could be that you are a sufferer of Raynaud's Phenomenon.

Raynaud's  is a relatively common condition, affecting more females than males and can occur at any age. although it is rare in the very young. It is named after a French doctor, Maurice Raynaud who discovered that over-active sympathetic nerves cause a constriction of the blood vessels to the extremities.  In 1862 he published a thesis "On Local Asphyxia and Symmetrical Gangrene of the Extremities ".

The condition can be alarming, especially when it happens for the first time and when the colour changes from white to blue to red as the blood slowly reaches the affected areas. There is often numbness and pain associated with it and if this is severe, then a doctor should be consulted.

Being aware that you may have Raynaud's is the first step to managing the condition.   Primary Raynaud's is the more prevalent and  is usually inherited. Secondary Raynaud's  is associated with underlying disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. In these cases the symptoms are often more acute.

Treatments for the condition vary in their usefulness and obviously if you are worried , then your GP should be consulted.  Sufferers of the disorder  should be aware that it is a relative change in temperature that causes the problem so maintaining an even ambient environment is the best management. Now, we can't all stay indoors, out of draughts and away from air conditioning forever, so the use of hand warmers and layers of thin gloves and socks may help  to maintain the temperature.

Your feet require special care. Raynaud's patients are very prone to chilblains. Be certain that your shoes do not rub and don't use sharp instruments to deal with issues. Always see a podiatrist as there may be ulcerations present which require hard skin removal to promote healing. Your feet will be very sensitive and the skin very fragile.

Washing feet and moisturising daily helps to keep them in good condition and gives you the focus to inspect them for any breaks in the skin which are all too common with this phenomenon.  Here at the Foot care Clinic, we sell a very useful aromatherapy product, ' Warm your Sole'  containing Ginger, marjoram, lemon and geranium. This has all the properties to soothe  your skin  and keep it warm.

The Raynauds and Scleroderma Association website is full of useful information. 

So,  the next time you head for the refrigerator aisles at your local supermarket, wear double layers of thin gloves and socks, don't let your shoes rub and get out of there as fast as you can!!!