Raynaud’s: The Cold Hard Facts

October is Raynaud’s Awareness Month and at Goldsmith Podiatry we want to make sure our Manhattan patients don’t suffer unnecessarily with this condition. Too often patients chalk up the symptoms of Raynaud’s as just “normal,” but they’re not. Learn more below.

Signs Your Symptoms Aren’t Normal

If your feet and hands are always freezing you may just think that’s how your body reacts to cold, and you have to do your best to cope with it. Raynaud’s is an actual medical disorder and there are ways to lessen and control the symptoms. Three signs that your symptoms are not normal include:

  • Your toes and fingers, feet, and hands are freezing cold when others with you are comfortable

  • Holding cold objects actually hurts and may result in throbbing, swelling, or tingling in the fingers

  • When you’re cold or stressed out, your toes and fingers change colors (usually white or blue), go numb and hurt

If you’ve noticed any of the above signs, it’s time to talk to our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff.

Who Gets Raynaud’s?

For patients with Raynaud’s, the smaller arteries that supply the blood to your skin become narrower which restricts the blood flow to affected areas bringing on uncomfortable symptoms. This is known as vasospasm. Doctors aren’t completely sure what causes Primary Raynaud’s, but there does seem to be some risk factors that increase the chances of developing this condition including:

  • Age—Most often develops between the ages of 15—30, although it can happen at any age

  • Being female--more women get Raynaud’s than men

  • Having a family history of Raynaud’s (parent, sibling, or child has the condition)

  • Living in a cold climate

There is also what’s known as Secondary Raynaud’s. This is the same condition, but it is linked with another condition or disorder. Some of these include:

  • Arterial disease

  • Taking certain prescription and over-the-counter medications and some chemotherapy

  • Smoking

  • Connective tissue and other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Work that involves repetitive vibration or actions

  • Previous injuries to the feet or hands

Treatment

Tracking down the source of your Raynaud’s may provide treatment clues. Taking extra precautions to keep extremities warm and learning new ways of coping with stress can help reduce frequency of attacks and the intensity of the symptoms.

If you are wondering if you could have Raynaud’s make an appointment today at our Upper West Side office by calling: 212-877-1002.

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