Viewer Comments: Raynaud's Phenomenon - Describe Your ExperienceViewer Comments & ReviewsRaynaud's Phenomenon - Describe Your ExperienceThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:Please describe your experience with Raynaud's phenomenon.
Comment from: 65-74 Female (Caregiver)
Published: November 02
I have experienced Raynaud's syndrome for 35 years. I lived in Chicago and constantly had frostbitten hands and feet. I moved to Arizona 18 1/2 years ago for a warmer climate and the attacks are less frequent. But I've also experienced heat exhaustion for 35 years as well. I would mow the lawn in Chicago and faint. I collapsed at a sports stadium here and the medic on duty told me that Raynaud's attacks occur with heat. I cannot be outside for longer than 10 minutes at a time in hot weather. The doctor also said that my "heating and cooling system was faulty" and that if I didn't stop the heat exhaustion, I would probably have a heat-stroke and maybe die. Now I'm careful with cold and hot temperatures. My dermatologist told me Raynaud's is an immune system disorder. Related Reading: stroke
Published: September 10
I was diagnosed with Secondary Raynaud's Phenomenon three months ago and am still trying all sorts of products to relieve the outbreaks. I have severe outbreaks and can have up to 10 outbreaks a day. Wind, moderate temps, and A/C all contribute to the outbreaks. The greatest relief for me has been a pair of motorcycle gloves I purchased at the BMW motorcycle store. They are about $200 but well worth it. Their meant for motorcycle riders in colder temps. They plug into the car adapter and warm up the hands in about one minute. I haven't found a pair of gloves yet for outside the car, but my car is my office so it's been a tremendous help.
Comment from: PerfusionistByGolly, 45-54 Male (Patient)
Published: January 24
I have had bilateral finger Raynaud attacks since my 20s. Not too often, but usually triggered by damp cold. It does not usually occur when handling cold or frozen items. Frustrating and slightly painful and usually relieved with warm water or hands held under armpits. Right now I am experiencing continuous tingling in almost all fingertips after having been exposed to extreme temperature while snow skiing in Colorado. Has been three days now and I am hoping that some feeling will return soon. My fingers never turned white while on the slopes, but I could not tolerate the cold hands after about 30 minutes outside so I headed indoors. Once I warmed up I thought the numbness in my fingertips would go away as usual but I am still waiting.
Comment from: sseyocean, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: October 17
I don't know why my body goes nuts, but it drives me nuts! My fingers turn as cold as a soda can from the fridge at work as it is air conditioned to extremes. When I was dishes, my fingers and hands swell. I have been having severe digestive problems as well.
Comment from: sharon, 55-64 Female (Patient)
Published: March 04
My finger turn snow white run under warm water turn blue than red, very pain full only happens to fingers and feet, wear warm wool socks to bed every night even in the summer. Can be very painful.
Comment from: 35-44 Female (Patient)
Published: April 22
I was diagnosed with Raynaud's Phenomenon on 2/21/10 by a vascular surgeon in Colorado. I thought I was going to lose it but apparently I already did. I haven't had feeling to 5 of my fingers, 2 of my toes, the left side of my face and my lips for 3 months now. Initially, I waited for several weeks to see my primary doctor because I thought that every morning that I woke up, everything would be OK. I spent the 1st 6 weeks crawling on my knees to the bathroom. This is serious. I go to the Rheumatologist soon. I cross my fingers!
Comment from: Evelyn, 65-74 Female
Published: February 16
Often, blood fails to reach the ends of my fingers and my toes.
Comment from: debbie, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: February 08
I am 44 and have been suffering from Raynaud's since 2001. Unlike the other commenter's my Raynauld's does not trigger with cold. In fact we have been trying to figure out what triggers the attacks for years. Sometimes I trigger from chemical exposure (using bleach or another product 2 clean) or coloring a picture with the kids. My hands swell up and turn red, white or purple. I usually am woke up with it- and hot baths or showers help me a lot. Viewer Comments & ReviewsRaynaud's Phenomenon Pregnancy - TreatmentThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was the treatment for your Raynaud's phenomenon? Viewer Comments are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on eMedicineHealth. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. eMedicineHealth does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
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Raynaud Phenomenon
Cold Hands & Feet Overview
When your hands or feet (and sometimes other parts of the body, especially your ears and nose) get too cold, they can be injured or react in different ways.
- The most severe cold injury is frostbite, which is true tissue freezing (ice crystals form in skin and other tissues of the body). Frostbite causes permanent damage to blood vessels and other structures. Frostnip is also ice crystal formation in tissues but only in the very outer layer of the skin. It causes no permanent damage.
- Immersion injury results from exposure of wet feet (or hands) to cold temperatures at or above freezing. It develops over hours to days and damages the nerves and muscles. Like frostbite, immersion injury causes permanent damage.
- Other injuries due to cold hands or feet are pernio, Raynaud's syndrome, cryoglobulin formation, and cold urticaria.
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I am 24 and I live in Kentucky. I was diagnosed with Raynaud's when I was 16, and was told that there was nothing that I could do but live with it and try to stay warm. What people didn't understand is that it could be nearly 100 degrees F. outside and my fingers and toes would still freeze. It is the most miserable feeling in the world to be cold and in pain all the time and there is nothing you can do about it but sit and wait for it to go away. Luckily, when I got married in September, my insurance changed and I had to find a new doctor. How lucky was it that the provider I chose had written a thesis in college about Raynaud's phenomenon! She prescribed "Nifedipine" for me and I rarely have any problems anymore. The only side effects that I have found is that my heart races for a few moments after it kicks in and sometimes I get leg cramps. I still have symptoms, but only a few times a week compared to the 10 times a day before I started the medication. My life has almost done a complete 180!
Related Reading: Nifedipine