Raynaud’s Disease: More Than Just a Cold Weather Problem

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Raynaud’s disease affects 15-30 million Americans - but chances are you’ve never heard of it. Even the people who suffer from it don’t always realize they’ve got a genuine medical issue.  So, you just don’t hear the name very often. Raynaud’s Awareness Month, acknowledged during the month of October, aims to change that.

Raynaud’s - pronounced “Ray-NODZ” - is a very specific circulation problem. For reasons that are not entirely clear, the tiny blood vessels in fingers and toes can spasm when exposed to the cold. The spasms prevent proper blood flow, causing fingers or toes to grow numb and change colors. When they feel warm again, blood flow returns, and their toes or fingers return to their normal color.

Raynaud’s can cause:

  • white, red, blue, or purple digits

  • pain

  • tingling

  • swelling

  • throbbing

It’s not just about the cold
Here’s a curious thing about Raynaud’s: it doesn’t have to be wintertime, and it doesn’t have to be cold outside for toes and fingers to turn colors. Yes, cold temperatures can bring on an attack, but so can entering an air-conditioned room on a warm day, walking around the freezer section of your local grocery store, or shivering on the beach after a summer swim. And finally, emotional stress can cause an attack, regardless of body or outdoor temperatures.

When to see a doctor
If you have symptoms of Raynaud’s disease, contact the board-certified podiatrists at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center in Monmouth County. You’ll want to get a firm diagnosis, rule out the possibility of another underlying disease, and learn about lifestyle changes that can help. We can also offer medications that reduce the frequency and severity of a Raynaud’s attack.

If your toes are permanently discolored, it’s probably not Raynaud’s. It could be another type of circulation problem that needs immediate attention. Let us check out your cold, numb, discolored toes at our Howell and Jackson podiatry offices. Call (732) 905-1110 or make an appointment online with Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Joseph Saka, or Dr. Dan Phan.