Raynaud's disease
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Raynaud's disease: Condition overview
Help restore circulation to your fingers and toes

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating Raynaud's disease. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose your best treatment options.

Key points for people with Raynaud's disease
  • Raynaud's causes your fingers, toes and other parts of your body to abruptly become numb, white and cold due to lack of blood flow.
  • Your fingers and toes may turn blue because they're not getting enough oxygen.
  • As the blood returns to your fingers and toes, they may turn very red and throb or hurt.
  • Raynaud's attacks happen because small blood vessels in your fingers and toes suddenly become narrow and stop your blood flowing normally.
  • Only one medicine definitely helps the symptoms of Raynaud's, but it can cause side effects.
Most people with Raynaud's start to have attacks when they are teenagers. Raynaud's is much more common in places with cold weather. Measures to prevent Raynaud's attacks include keeping warm, reducing stress, exercising and quitting smoking. Though Raynaud's can be unsettling, it is usually not serious and the symptoms should disappear completely after each attack. However, if your attacks are very bad and you get symptoms such as ulcers, a more serious medical problem may be causing the attacks.

Our concise condition report and Treatment Ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for Raynaud's disease is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we will also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.