Onset of the primary form is typically between ages 15 and 30 and occurs more frequently in females. The secondary form usually affects older people. Both forms are more common in cold climates. Signs and symptoms
The condition can cause localized pain, discoloration (paleness), and sensations of cold and/or numbness. When exposed to cold temperatures, the blood supply to the fingers or toes, and in some cases the nose or earlobes, is markedly reduced; the skin turns pale or white (called pallor) and becomes cold and numb. These events are episodic, and when the episode subsides or the area is warmed, the blood flow returns, and the skin color first turns red (rubor), and then back to normal, often accompanied by swelling, tingling, and a painful "pins and needles" sensation. All three color changes are observed in classic Raynauds. However, not all patients see all of the aforementioned color changes in all episodes, especially in milder cases of the condition. The red flush is due to reactive hyperemia of the areas deprived of blood flow.In pregnancy, this sign normally disappears due to increased surface blood flow. Raynauds has occurred in breastfeeding mothers, causing nipples to turn white and painful. Causes
Primary
Raynauds disease, or primary Raynauds, is diagnosed if the symptoms are idiopathic, that is, if they occur by themselves and not in association with other diseases. Some refer to primary Raynauds disease as "being allergic to coldness". It often develops in young women in their teens and early adulthood.
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.