What Is Raynaud’s Disease? A Plain-Language Guide to the Cold-Fingers Condition, Its Causes, and Its Treatment
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: Raynaud’s Disease at a Glance
Raynaud's disease is a condition in which the fingers, toes and other body parts feel numb and cold in response to cold or stress because small blood vessels narrow [1]. The skin turns pale, then white and blue [1]. Primary Raynaud's is milder, while secondary Raynaud's stems from conditions like lupus [1]. Treatment ranges from warm clothing to medicines or surgery [2].
Feature | Details |
What it is | A condition where the fingers, toes, and other body parts feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress, because the small blood vessels that supply the skin narrow (vasospasm) [1]. |
What it looks like | |
Two forms | |
How it is diagnosed | A medical history, physical exam, nailfold capillaroscopy (a microscope look at the base of a fingernail), and blood tests such as the ANA test and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [2]. |
How it is treated | Layered clothing, gloves, and home measures for mild cases. Medicines (calcium channel blockers and vasodilators) for more serious symptoms. Nerve surgery or chemical injections for the most severe cases [2]. |
What the research says
Calcium channel blockers reduce attacks, though the benefit is modest. A Cochrane review of 38 randomized trials (982 participants) found moderate-quality evidence that calcium channel blockers cut the number of attacks compared with placebo: about 6 fewer attacks per week overall, and about 3 fewer (weighted mean difference −2.93 per week; 95% CI −3.44 to −2.43) after excluding one trial with a very large effect. Attack severity fell by 0.62 cm on a 10-cm scale, which may not be clinically meaningful. The most common side effects were headache, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and ankle swelling, and no serious adverse events were reported. (Rirash et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017) [3]
Botulinum toxin injections look promising but need larger trials. A systematic review with meta-analysis of 13 studies found that botulinum toxin treatment was associated with lower pain scores (pooled standardized mean change −3.82; 95% CI −6.62 to −1.02). The most common complications were injection-site pain and hand weakness. The authors say more studies and larger randomized trials are needed to confirm the results. (Zhou et al., J Clin Rheumatol, 2023) [4]
Raynaud’s is often under-diagnosed. A review in Vascular Medicine describes Raynaud’s phenomenon as relatively common but under-diagnosed, under-treated, and often confused with other conditions. It stresses telling primary from secondary Raynaud’s apart because long-term outcomes differ vastly between the two. This was a narrative review, not a trial. (Choi and Henkin, Vasc Med, 2021) [5]
What Is Raynaud’s Disease, in Plain Language?
Raynaud’s (ray-NOSE) disease causes some areas of the body, such as the fingers and toes, to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress [1]. In Raynaud’s disease, the smaller blood vessels that supply blood to the skin narrow. This limits blood flow to the affected areas, which is called vasospasm [1].
You may also see the condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon or Raynaud syndrome [1]. Women are more likely than men to have it, and it seems to be more common in people who live in colder climates [1].
Treatment depends on how bad the condition is and whether you have other health conditions [1]. For most people, Raynaud’s disease isn’t disabling, but it can affect your quality of life [1].
What Does a Raynaud’s Attack Feel Like?
The affected body parts, usually the fingers and toes, might turn white then blue. Depending on your skin color, these color changes may be harder or easier to see [1]. The affected areas feel cold and numb until blood flow improves, usually after warming up [1].
During an attack, the affected skin usually first turns pale. Next, it often changes color and feels cold and numb. When the skin warms and blood flow improves, the affected areas may change color again, throb, tingle, or swell [1]. Raynaud’s most commonly affects the fingers and toes, but it can also affect other areas such as the nose, lips, ears, and even nipples [1]. After warming up, the return of blood flow can take 15 minutes [1].
Symptom | What happens |
Cold fingers or toes | The affected areas feel cold and numb during the attack [1]. |
Skin color changes | Areas turn white then blue. These changes may be easier or harder to see depending on your skin color [1]. |
Numb or prickly feeling | A numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain when warming or as stress eases [1]. |
Color changes during an attack | The skin first turns pale, then changes color and feels cold and numb [1]. |
Color changes after warming | Areas may change color again, throb, tingle, or swell as blood flow returns [1]. |
Other affected areas | Beyond the fingers and toes, the nose, lips, ears, and even nipples can be affected [1]. |
When Should I See a Doctor?
See your healthcare professional right away if you have a history of severe Raynaud’s and get a sore or infection in one of your affected fingers or toes [1].
What Causes Raynaud’s Disease?
Experts don’t fully understand the cause of Raynaud’s attacks, but blood vessels in the hands and feet appear to react too strongly to cold temperatures or stress [1]. The blood vessels to the fingers and toes narrow when exposed to cold or stress, and the narrowed vessels limit blood flow. Over time, these small blood vessels can thicken slightly and limit blood flow even more [1].
Cold temperatures are the most likely cause of an attack. Examples are putting your hands in cold water, taking something from a freezer, or being in cold air [1]. For some people, emotional stress can trigger an episode [1].
What Are the Two Types of Raynaud’s?
Primary Raynaud’s, also called Raynaud’s disease, is the most common form and isn’t the result of another medical condition. It can be so mild that many people don’t seek treatment, and it can go away on its own [1].
Secondary Raynaud’s, also called Raynaud’s phenomenon, develops because of another health condition. Although it is less common than the primary form, it tends to be more serious [1]. Symptoms usually appear around age 40 [1], which is later than for primary Raynaud’s.
Type | Key features |
Primary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s disease) | Most common form. Not caused by another condition. Can be so mild no treatment is sought and can go away on its own [1]. |
Secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s phenomenon) | Caused by another health condition. Less common but tends to be more serious. Symptoms usually appear around age 40 [1]. |
What Health Conditions Can Cause Secondary Raynaud’s?
Secondary Raynaud’s can be caused by connective tissue diseases, blood vessel diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome and repeated actions or vibration, among other conditions [1].
Connective tissue diseases: most people who have scleroderma, a rare disease that leads to hardening and scarring of the skin, have Raynaud’s. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren syndrome also increase the risk [1].
Diseases of the blood vessels: these include a buildup of fatty deposits in blood vessels that feed the heart, and a disorder in which the blood vessels of the hands and feet become inflamed. A type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels of the lungs may also cause it [1].
Carpal tunnel syndrome: pressure on a major nerve to the hand causes numbness and pain that can make the hand react more to cold temperatures [1].
Repeated actions or vibration: typing, playing piano, or similar movements for long periods can cause overuse injuries, as can using vibrating tools such as jackhammers [1].
Smoking: smoking narrows blood vessels [1].
Injuries to the hands or feet: examples include a wrist break, surgery, or frostbite [1].
Certain medicines: beta blockers for high blood pressure, some migraine medicines, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, certain cancer medicines, and some cold medicines [1].
Who Is at Higher Risk?
Risk factors for primary Raynaud’s | Risk factors for secondary Raynaud’s |
More common in women than men. Often begins between ages 15 and 30. More common in colder climates. Family history: a parent, sibling, or child with the disease [1]. | Certain diseases, such as scleroderma and lupus. Jobs causing repeated trauma, such as using vibrating tools. Smoking. Medicines that affect the blood vessels. Exposure to certain chemicals, such as vinyl chloride [1]. |
Can Raynaud’s Disease Cause Tissue Damage?
If secondary Raynaud’s is severe, reduced blood flow to the fingers or toes could cause tissue damage, but that is rare [1]. A completely blocked blood vessel can lead to skin sores or dead tissue, which can be difficult to treat [1]. Rarely, very bad untreated cases might require removing the affected part of the body [1].
How Is Raynaud’s Disease Diagnosed?
Your healthcare professional asks about your symptoms and medical history and does a physical exam. You also might have tests to rule out other medical problems that can cause the same symptoms [2].
Test | What it looks for |
Medical history and physical exam | Questions about symptoms and past health, plus a hands-on examination [2]. |
Nailfold capillaroscopy | A microscope or magnifier looks at the skin at the base of a fingernail for unusual changes, such as swelling of the blood vessels. It can tell primary from secondary Raynaud’s [2]. |
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test | A positive result often means the immune system is mistakenly attacking body tissue (an autoimmune reaction), which is common in connective tissue diseases and other autoimmune disorders [2]. |
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate | Shows how fast red blood cells fall to the bottom of a tube. A faster-than-typical rate might signal an inflammatory or autoimmune disease [2]. |
Other blood vessel tests | Tests that rule out diseases of the blood vessels can help find a related condition [2]. |
No one blood test can diagnose Raynaud’s [2].
How Is Raynaud’s Disease Treated?
Dressing for the cold in layers and wearing gloves or heavy socks usually can help mild symptoms [2]. Medicines can treat more serious symptoms [2]. The goals of treatment are to reduce the number of attacks and how bad they are, keep tissue damage from happening, and treat the underlying disease or condition [2].
What Medicines Are Used?
Medicine group | How it helps and examples |
Calcium channel blockers | Relax and open small blood vessels in the hands and feet, and can also help heal sores on fingers or toes. Examples include nifedipine (Procardia), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine, and isradipine [2]. |
Vasodilators | Relax blood vessels. They include losartan (Cozaar), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), fluoxetine (Prozac), and a class of medicines called prostaglandins [2]. |
Are Surgeries or Procedures Needed?
Surgery or shots might be needed to treat serious Raynaud’s [2].
Nerve surgery: nerves in the hands and feet control the opening and narrowing of blood vessels in the skin, and cutting these nerves stops those responses. Through small cuts in the affected hands or feet, a health professional strips tiny nerves around the blood vessels. If successful, this surgery might lead to fewer and shorter attacks [2].
Chemical injection: shots of numbing medicines or onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) can block nerves in affected hands or feet [2]. Some people need to have this more than once if symptoms remain or return [2].
What Home Habits Help?
Home habits that help with Raynaud’s include avoiding smoke, exercising, managing stress and avoiding rapid temperature changes [2].
Avoid smoke: smoking, vaping, or breathing in someone else’s smoke tightens blood vessels, which causes skin temperature to drop [2].
Exercise: exercise increases blood flow and has many other health benefits. If you have secondary Raynaud’s, talk to your healthcare professional before exercising outdoors in the cold [2].
Manage stress: stress can trigger symptoms. Getting more exercise, practicing mindfulness, and joining support groups are some ways to reduce and manage it [2].
Avoid rapidly changing temperatures: try not to go quickly from heat to air conditioning [2].
What Should I Do During an Attack?
Warm your hands, feet, or other affected areas [2]. To gently warm your fingers and toes:
Get indoors or to a warmer area.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
Place your hands under your armpits.
Make wide circles with your arms.
Run warm, not hot, water over your fingers and toes.
Massage your hands and feet [2].
If stress triggers an attack, get away from the stress and relax. Practice a stress-relieving technique that works for you, and warm your hands or feet in water to help lessen the attack [2].
Can Alternative Treatments Help?
Certain practices and supplements that help blood flow better might help manage Raynaud’s, but they need more study to know how much they help [2]. If you are interested, talk to your healthcare professional about:
Fish oil: supplements could increase blood flow [2].
Ginkgo: supplements could help lessen the number of attacks [2].
Acupuncture: seems to improve blood flow [2].
Biofeedback: using the mind to control body temperature through guided imagery, deep breathing, and other relaxing exercises [2]. A therapist, books, or videos can help you learn the techniques [2].
How Can I Prevent Raynaud’s Attacks?
Raynaud’s attacks can be prevented by bundling up outdoors, warming your car before driving and protecting your hands and feet from cold indoors [1].
Bundle up outdoors: when it’s cold, wear a hat, scarf, socks and boots, and two sets of mittens or gloves. Thermal underwear might help. A coat with cuffs that close around mittens or gloves helps protect the hands from cold air. Wear earmuffs and a face mask if the tip of your nose and your earlobes get too cold [1].
Warm your car: run your car heater for a few minutes before driving in cold weather [1].
Take care indoors: wear socks. Wear gloves, mittens, or oven mitts to take food out of the refrigerator or freezer. Some people find it helpful to wear mittens and socks to bed during winter. Because air conditioning can cause attacks, set your air conditioner to a warmer temperature, and use drinking glasses that keep your hands from feeling cold [1].
How Should I Prepare for My Appointment?
Raynaud’s can usually be diagnosed by your primary health care provider from your symptoms, and preparing a list of details before the appointment helps. You may be referred to a provider trained in disorders of the joints, bones, and muscles, called a rheumatologist [2]. Make a list of:
Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you receive. Good questions to ask include: What is likely causing my symptoms? If I have Raynaud’s, is it primary or secondary? What treatment do you recommend, if any? How can I reduce the risk of a Raynaud’s attack? I have other health conditions, so how can I manage them together [2]?
Your provider is likely to ask you: During a Raynaud’s attack, do your fingers or toes change color or feel numb or painful? Has anyone else in your family been diagnosed with Raynaud’s? Do you smoke? How much caffeine, if any, do you have daily? What do you do for a living and for recreation [2]?
What is the bottom line on Raynaud’s disease?
Raynaud’s disease turns cold weather and stress into numb, cold, color-changing fingers and toes. During an attack, the small blood vessels that supply the skin narrow in a vasospasm [1], and the skin turns pale, then white and blue, and stays cold and numb until blood flow returns after warming, which can take 15 minutes [1]. Primary Raynaud’s is the most common and milder type, often appears between ages 15 and 30, and can even go away on its own [1]. Secondary Raynaud’s is caused by another condition such as scleroderma or lupus, is less common but more serious, and usually appears around age 40 [1]. For most people Raynaud’s isn’t disabling, but severe untreated secondary cases can rarely cause tissue damage [1]. Layered clothing, gloves, and simple warming techniques handle most mild cases, medicines can help more serious symptoms, and procedures are available for the most severe cases [2], so you don’t have to spend winter in discomfort.
Take the Next Step
If your fingers or toes turn white or blue in the cold and you’ve never discussed it with a doctor, bring it up at your next appointment. A simple exam and blood tests can tell you whether it’s the milder primary form or a sign of another condition worth treating. If you already have severe Raynaud’s and develop a sore or infection in an affected finger or toe, seek care right away [1].
Dressing in layers, warming up quickly during an attack, and managing stress can cut down the number of attacks, and the right medicines can handle the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Raynaud’s disease?
Raynaud’s (ray-NOSE) disease is a condition that causes some areas of the body, such as the fingers and toes, to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. The smaller blood vessels that supply blood to the skin narrow, limiting blood flow in a reaction called vasospasm [1].
What happens during a Raynaud’s attack?
The affected skin usually first turns pale, then white and blue, and feels cold and numb. When the skin warms and blood flow improves, the area may change color again, throb, tingle, or swell. The return of blood flow can take 15 minutes [1]. Raynaud’s most commonly affects the fingers and toes but can also affect the nose, lips, ears, and nipples [1].
What is the difference between primary and secondary Raynaud’s?
Primary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s disease) is the most common form, isn’t caused by another medical condition, can be very mild, and can go away on its own [1]. Secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s phenomenon) develops because of another health condition. It is less common but tends to be more serious, with symptoms usually appearing around age 40 [1].
What causes a Raynaud’s attack?
Experts don’t fully understand the cause of attacks, but blood vessels in the hands and feet appear to react too strongly to cold temperatures or stress [1]. Cold, such as putting your hands in cold water, taking something from a freezer, or being in cold air, is the most likely trigger, and emotional stress can also cause an episode [1].
What health conditions can cause secondary Raynaud’s?
Connective tissue diseases (scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome), diseases of the blood vessels, carpal tunnel syndrome, repeated actions or vibration (typing, playing piano, jackhammers), smoking, injuries to the hands or feet, and certain medicines such as beta blockers, some migraine medicines, ADHD medicines, certain cancer medicines, and some cold medicines [1].
How is Raynaud’s disease diagnosed?
Through a medical history, a physical exam, nailfold capillaroscopy (a microscope or magnifier looking at the skin at the base of a fingernail), and blood tests such as the ANA test and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. No one blood test can diagnose Raynaud’s [2].
How is Raynaud’s disease treated?
Mild symptoms usually respond to dressing for the cold in layers and wearing gloves or heavy socks [2]. More serious symptoms can be treated with medicines such as calcium channel blockers and vasodilators [2]. Serious cases may need nerve surgery or chemical injections (numbing medicines or Botox) [2].
What can I do during a Raynaud’s attack?
Get indoors or to a warmer area, wiggle your fingers and toes, place your hands under your armpits, make wide circles with your arms, run warm (not hot) water over your fingers and toes, and massage your hands and feet. If stress triggered the attack, get away from the stress, relax, and warm your hands or feet in water [2].
References
Mayo Clinic Staff. Raynaud's disease: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. November 16, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20363571
Mayo Clinic Staff. Raynaud's disease: Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. November 16, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20363572
Rirash F, Tingey PC, Harding SE, et al. Calcium channel blockers for primary and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;12(12):CD000467. PMID 29237099. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000467.pub2
Zhou Y, Yu Y, Bi S, et al. Botulinum toxins for the treatment of Raynaud phenomenon: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Clin Rheumatol. 2023;29(5):e92-e99. PMID 37011178. https://doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000001965
Choi E, Henkin S. Raynaud’s phenomenon and related vasospastic disorders. Vasc Med. 2021;26(1):56-70. PMID 33566754. https://doi.org/10.1177/1358863X20983455
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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