Raynaud’s phenomenon

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Raynaud's phenomenon

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Circulatory system

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Raynaud’s phenomenon

Treatment:

Medications to relax the walls of the blood vessels may be prescribed. Treatment of the underlying condition is important.

Avoid exposure to the cold, and when cold cannot be avoided, dress warmly. If you smoke, stop smoking, as it further constricts the blood vessels.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome varies depending on the cause and the severity of the phenomenon.

Complications:

ulceration of the affected part
gangrene of the affected part
deformities of the fingers and fingernails and/or toes and toenails

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have a history of Raynaud's phenomenon and the affected body part (arm, hand, leg, foot, or other part) develops an infection or ulceration.

Review Date: 4/20/2005
Reviewed By: Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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