Is Raynaud’s Disease Affecting Your Feet?

Raynaud's disease makes your toes and fingers feel numb or icy cold when you feel stressed or exposed to cold temperatures. The symptoms develop when the tiny arteries that supply blood to your skin narrow, thereby reducing blood flow to the affected areas. Because October is Raynaud’s Awareness Month, in today’s post, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, is sharing information regarding symptoms, treatment options, and tips regarding this condition.

Anyone can get Raynaud’s disease, but women are typically more affected. Your risk may increase if you reside in a colder climate or if you smoke. Having a close relative, such as a sibling, child, or parent who also suffers from this condition, also increases your risk.

Symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease

Some symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease include:

• Cold toes or fingers.
• Changes in skin color when stressed or cold.
• Numbness, stinging, or prickly pain in your toes or fingers when warming up.

Raynaud’s bouts evolve in stages. Initially, the patient’s toes typically turn white, then turn blue when experiencing numbness or cold. Finally, as you warm up and your circulation gets better, your toes may turn red. Throbbing, tingling, or swelling may also occur.

While it’s most common to feel Raynaud's symptoms in your toes and fingers, areas such as your lips, ears, nipples, or nose may also be impacted. Symptoms should diminish when you warm up, but in some cases, it can take as long as 15 minutes for your blood flow to return to normal following an attack.

Treatment of Raynaud’s Disease

While Raynaud’s can cause discomfort, patients may develop ulcers or tissue damage if the blood flow is affected for too long. When left untreated, in some rare cases, Raynaud’s can lead to toe or foot amputations.

It’s also important to follow these tips to avoid Raynaud's attacks.

• When outside in cold weather, always wear several layers, including scarves, socks, boots, hats, and two pairs of gloves. Wear coats that have snug wrists so cold air can’t hit your skin.
• Use chemical warmers to help keep your toes and fingers warm, being careful to avoid direct contact with your skin.
• On cold days, preheat your car before getting in it.
• Even when indoors, always wear socks. You may even consider wearing socks in bed during colder months.
• During the summer months, monitor your air conditioning carefully because cold temperatures could initiate an attack.

If you’ve recently had a Raynaud’s attack, contact Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, to make an appointment. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936. 

It’s particularly important if you have an underlying condition or a history of ulcers. Proper podiatric care is the safest and best way to avoid restricted blood flow.