Primary Raynauds is thought to be at least partly hereditary, although specific genes have not yet been identified.Smoking increases frequency and intensity of attacks, and a hormonal component exists. Caffeine, estrogen, and nonselective beta-blockers are often listed as aggravating factors, but evidence that they should be avoided is not solid. Secondary
Raynauds phenomenon, or secondary Raynauds, occurs secondary to a wide variety of other conditions. Secondary Raynauds has a number of associations:
Connective tissue disorders:
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sjögrens syndrome
Dermatomyositis
Polymyositis
Mixed connective tissue disease
Cold agglutinin disease
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Eating disorders:
Anorexia nervosa
Obstructive disorders:
Atherosclerosis
Buergers disease
Takayasus arteritis
Subclavian aneurysms
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Drugs:
Beta-blockers
Cytotoxic drugs – particularly chemotherapeutics and most especially bleomycin
Cyclosporin
Bromocriptine
Ergotamine
Sulfasalazine
Anthrax vaccines whose primary ingredient is the Anthrax Protective Antigen
Stimulant medications, such as those used to treat ADHD (amphetamine and methylphenidate)
OTC pseudoephedrine medications (Chlor-Trimeton, Sudafed, others)
Occupation:
Jobs involving vibration, particularly drilling and prolonged use of a string trimmer (weed whacker), experience vibration white finger
Exposure to vinyl chloride, mercury
Exposure to the cold (e.g., by working as a frozen food packer)
Others:
Physical trauma to the extremities
Lyme disease
Hypothyroidism
Cryoglobulinemia
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Magnesium deficiency
Multiple sclerosis
Erythromelalgia (clinically presenting as the opposite of Raynauds, with hot and warm extremities, often co-exists in patients with Raynauds)
Chilblains (also clinically presenting as the opposite of Raynauds, with hot and itchy extremities, however it affects smaller areas than erythromelalgia, for instance the tip of a toe rather than the whole foot)Raynauds can precede these other diseases by many years, making it the first presenting symptom.
Raynaud syndrome, also known as Raynauds phenomenon, eponymously named after the physician Auguste Gabriel Maurice Raynaud, who first described it in his doctoral thesis in 1862, is a medical condition in which the spasm of small arteries causes episodes of reduced blood flow to end arterioles. Typically, the fingers, and less commonly, the toes, are involved. Rarely, the nose, ears, or lips are affected. The episodes classically result in the affected part turning white and then blue. Often, numbness or pain occurs. As blood flow returns, the area turns red and burns. The episodes typically last minutes but can last several hours.Episodes are typically triggered by cold or emotional stress. Primary Raynauds, also known as idiopathic, means that it is spontaneous, of unknown cause, and unrelated to another disease. Secondary Raynauds occurs as a result of another condition and has an older age at onset; episodes are intensely painful and can be asymmetric and associated with skin lesions. Secondary Raynauds can occur due to a connective-tissue disorder such as scleroderma or lupus, injuries to the hands, prolonged vibration, smoking, thyroid problems, and certain medications, such as birth control pills. Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms.The primary treatment is avoiding the cold. Other measures include the discontinuation of nicotine or stimulant use. Medications for treatment of cases that do not improve include calcium channel blockers and iloprost. Little evidence supports alternative medicine. Severe disease may in rare cases lead to complications, specifically skin sores or gangrene.About 4% of people have the condition.