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Medical Author:

Shabir Bhimji, MD

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon may be harmless and resolve on their own, especially if you have reversible causes and no underlying serious internal disease. However, your doctor may suggest ways to manage and treat the disease.

Call your doctor in the following instances:

• Your extremities remain cool or discolored, despite rewarming.
• There is an increasing frequency and severity of attacks despite prevention techniques.
• You need help to quit smoking.
• Ulcers develop over the fingertips or toe tips.
• Pain is unrelenting.

If you have continuing discoloration of the fingertips or on parts of your arms or legs, or if it appears that skin breakdown or ulcerations may be present, prompt medical evaluation is needed.

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