Raynaud’s phenomenon

Overview

The body adjusts to cold conditions by reducing blood flow to the skin. This is done as a thermoregulating process to prevent further heat loss and to keep the core body temperature stable.Blood-flow restriction occurs during cold temperatures and mental stress in Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's syndrome is characterized by vasoconstriction of the digital arteries and cutaneous arterioles. Maurice Raynaud initially identified this phenomenon in 1862, and Sir Thomas Lewis studied it in 1930.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), in general, is a transient and peripheral vasoconstrictive reaction to cold temperatures or emotional stress. Raynaud's phenomenon is classified as either primary or secondary. 

Raynaud's syndrome is characterized by hypersensitive blood vessels in the fingers and toes. They are more sensitive to cold and stress. The blood vessels constrict significantly, resulting in a reduction in blood flow and a color change. A decrease of blood flow frequently causes a pale, or white, discolouration. As a result of the quick flow of blood into the fingers following the incident, the digits might become blue and eventually red.