Signs and Symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease

Raynaud’s disease is a condition in which the skins of some parts of body like of hands, feet, ears and nose become numb and chill in response to stress or cold temperature.

This condition normally occurs due to any disorder in the blood vessels that carry blood to the skin. When the Raynaud’s condition occurs, the arteries become narrow and the supply of blood towards extremities reduces. Due to lack of blood supply, the surface of skin becomes white or blue in color.

The symptoms of this disease depend upon each individual. The common symptoms may vary from person to person. Generally people get primary or secondary attacks of Raynaud’s in response to stress and cold temperature.

Mostly, toes and fingers, and rarely ears, nose, lips or nipples are affected by this condition. The affected areas of the body will normally show the following changes:

• The area becomes pale or whitish due to the insufficient supply of blood.
• The lack of oxygen makes it look bluish.
• The area feels numb, painful or cold. There is absolutely no sensation when one touches the affected part.
• After the attack, when the blood circulation becomes active to affected area, it reddens and pulsates or tingles.

If the attack is actually of Raynaud’s, then it will last for around 15 to 20 minutes. Depending upon the individual, the attack can be of a minute or can be of several hours. The attacks of Raynaud’s can occur daily of once in a week. The daily attacks can be regarded as the strong symptoms of Raynaud’s condition.

Sometimes only one or two toes or fingers will get affected by Raynaud’s attack. The condition will develop slowly so, it may affect different parts at different times. If the attack is severe, it may even cause the death of tissues. It usually happens in secondary Raynaud’s.

This disease is more a matter of concern than searching for the treatments. Its signs symptoms can be very easily overcome with little precautions and knowledge. The severe or secondary Raynaud’s condition is very rare.