Raynaud's Phenomenon

When To Call A Professional

Call your health care professional if you have symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon to learn more about the disease and to make certain that you do not have any other disease. If you have been diagnosed with Raynaud's phenomenon, see your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms, such as severe redness, inflammation or open sores. Seek emergency care if you have color changes, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs that does not go away within minutes after the area is warmed.

Prognosis

For most people, primary Raynaud's phenomenon can be annoying and cause discomfort, but it is not dangerous. Although it usually is a lifelong condition, it also usually does not get worse. In rare cases in which the vasospasm is severe, the lack of blood flow may mean that the affected areas might be prone to open sores that are slow to heal.

Raynaud's phenomenon, however, may be the first symptom of a rheumatic disease, so the condition should not be ignored. Patients may need to be examined, tested and monitored to diagnose an associated rheumatic disease at its earliest stage.

Additional Info

American College of Rheumatology 1800 Century Place, Suite 250 Atlanta, GA 30345 Phone: (404) 633-3777 Fax: (404) 633-1870 http://www.rheumatology.org/

Arthritis Foundation P.O. Box 7669 Atlanta, GA 30357-0669 Phone: (404) 872-7100 Toll-Free: (800) 283-7800 http://www.arthritis.org/

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) 6701 Rockledge Dr. P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 Phone: (301) 592-8573 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse 1 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 Phone: (301) 495-4484 Toll-Free: (877) 226-4267 Fax: (301) 718-6366 TTY: (301) 565-2966 http://www.niams.nih.gov/