Raynaud's Phenomenon — What It Is and How to Handle It

Feeling your fingers go white, then blue, then red when it’s cold or you’re stressed? That’s classic Raynaud's phenomenon. It happens when small blood vessels in the fingers or toes suddenly narrow (vasospasm), cutting blood flow. The good news: many people can manage it without complex treatments.

What happens and how to spot it

Attacks usually follow a pattern: first the area turns very pale (white), then blue as oxygen drops, and finally red when blood returns. You may feel numbness, pins-and-needles, throbbing, or sharp pain as circulation returns. Other parts—ears, nose, lips—can be affected too, but fingers and toes are most common.

There are two types. Primary Raynaud's is the milder kind with no other disease behind it. Secondary Raynaud's is linked to conditions like scleroderma, lupus, or job-related vibration exposure and can be more serious. If attacks start suddenly after age 30–40, are severe, or cause sores, treat it as secondary until a doctor checks.

Simple, practical ways to cut down attacks

Keep warm. Wear warm gloves, hat, and layered clothing. Use mittens rather than gloves for extra warmth. When going outside, slip a thin glove liner under a thick mitten so you can adjust without exposing skin.

Warm your hands quickly at the first tingle: run them under warm (not hot) water or use a pocket hand warmer. Heated steering wheels or glove-lined pockets help if you commute in cold weather.

Avoid sudden temperature changes: bring your groceries inside in stages, warm up your car before driving, and don’t splash cold water on your face. Vibration from tools and frequent use of vibrating equipment can trigger attacks—use anti-vibration gloves or reduce exposure.

Quit smoking and cut back on caffeine and decongestants. Nicotine and stimulants tighten blood vessels and make attacks worse. Regular exercise helps circulation—walking, swimming, or gentle strength work are good choices.

If lifestyle steps don't help, medicines can reduce attack frequency. Doctors often try calcium channel blockers (like nifedipine) first because they relax small blood vessels. Topical nitrates, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, or other medications are options for stubborn cases. Surgery (sympathectomy) is rare and for severe, tissue-threatening cases only. Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting any medication.

Tests your doctor might order include blood tests for autoimmune markers (ANA), nailfold capillaroscopy to look at tiny blood vessels, and basic blood work to rule out other causes. These tests help determine whether treatment beyond lifestyle changes is needed.

If you notice slow-healing sores, blackened tips, or big changes in how often attacks happen, see a doctor promptly. Early evaluation catches secondary causes and prevents complications. Small changes at home often make the biggest difference—warm clothes, careful handling of cold, and ditching tobacco are the easiest first steps.