What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Raynaud's
Disease?
People with Raynaud's (primary or secondary) have
attacks in response to cold or emotional stress. The attacks can affect the
fingers and toes, and rarely the nose, ears, nipples, or lips. The affected
body parts will usually have two or more of the following changes:
- Look pale due to lack of blood flow
- Look bluish due to a lack of oxygen
- Feel numb, cold, or painful
- Redden and throb or tingle as blood returns to
the affected area
Attacks usually last about 15 minutes. They can last
less than a minute or as long as several hours. Attacks can occur daily or
weekly.
Sometimes attacks affect only one or two fingers or
toes. Different areas may be affected at different times. Attacks can cause
sores or tissue death (gangrene) in people with severe secondary Raynaud's.
However, severe Raynaud's is very uncommon.
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