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Raynaud's Phenomenon
Background
Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs when blood vessels in the extremities have a tendency to narrow in response to cold or emotional stress. It leads to colour changes in the skin of the hands and sometimes the feet and nose. In addition, there can be altered sensation or pain. Occasionally more serious complications may occur in the most severe cases. Raynaud’s phenomenon may be primary (occurring on in isolation) or secondary (occurring in association with disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; see entry Lupus), rheumatoid arthritis (RA; see entry Arthritis (Adult)) and scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; see entry Scleroderma).
It has been estimated that some ten per cent of women suffer from Raynaud’s. Some 95 per cent of scleroderma patients suffer from Raynaud’s, but it must be stressed that only a small number of people with Raynaud’s phenomenon go on to develop scleroderma.
