What is Raynaud’s Phenomenon?
Raynaud’s phenomenon (also called Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s syndrome) is a pattern of episodes where blood flow temporarily decreases, most often in the fingers and toes. During a Raynaud’s episode, small blood vessels narrow more than they should in response to triggers like cold temperatures or emotional stress. This narrowing reduces blood flow in the affected parts of the body for a short time, which can cause color change, numbness, tingling, or pain. The fingers and toes are the most commonly affected parts of the body. Raynaud’s can also affect the nose, earlobes, and other areas with small blood vessels.
Raynaud’s episodes involve an overactive constriction response in the small blood vessels. This response is influenced by the autonomic nervous system (the system that automatically regulates functions like blood vessel tone). In Raynaud’s, the blood vessels may react too strongly to cold or stress, leading to the classic symptoms.
Symptoms of Raynaud’s
Raynaud’s flares (also called “attacks” or “episodes”) are usually triggered by exposure to cold temperatures or stress. Symptoms of Raynaud’s include:
- Fingers or toes that feel unusually cold compared with the rest of your body
- Color changes in fingers or toes (often pale, bluish, or darker/discolored tones) — people with darker skin might not notice color changes, but may report temperature change or numbness
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in the affected body part after the trigger is gone (for example, as the skin warms back up or after stress stops)
Many Raynaud’s episodes last around 10 or 20 minutes, but they can be shorter or longer depending on the trigger and how quickly you warm up. Some people notice a three‑phase pattern: white/pale as blood flow drops, bluish or dusky as oxygen levels fall, and then red as blood flow returns. Not everyone has all three phases.
Not every color change is Raynaud’s. Other conditions can also lead to discoloration, so it is important to talk with your doctor if you are unsure what your symptoms mean.
How are Raynaud’s and Sjögren’s Related?
Raynaud’s can range from mild to more severe depending on the underlying cause. Raynaud’s that develops along with autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s is often more severe and may require closer monitoring. Raynaud’s associated with scleroderma is typically the most severe and may lead to digital tip ulcers, requiring careful monitoring.
Experts don’t fully understand why Raynaud’s and Sjögren’s sometimes occur together, but both involve immune system changes that can affect blood vessels and nerves. Raynaud’s that begins later in adulthood can sometimes be linked to an underlying autoimmune condition, including Sjögren’s. If Raynaud’s starts for the first time after age 30 to 40, clinicians may look more carefully for underlying autoimmune disease.
However, we do know that Raynaud’s and Sjögren’s share some of the same risk factors — or characteristics that raise your risk of having a certain disease or health problem. This may explain why some people have both diseases.
Shared risk factors include:
- Sex: Raynaud’s and Sjögren’s are both significantly more common in women
- Family history: Having a close relative with Raynaud’s or Sjögren’s can increase risk
- Other autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus, systemic sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis can be associated with Raynaud’s and may overlap with Sjögren’s
- Nicotine from cigarettes or vaping can trigger or worsen Raynaud’s flares by causing blood vessels to tighten
How is Raynaud’s Diagnosed?
There’s no one test to tell if you have Raynaud’s. Instead, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history to make a diagnosis.
In some cases, your doctor might order lab or blood tests to look for signs and clues of an underlying autoimmune condition, including Sjögren’s and lupus.
If you think you have Raynaud’s, be sure to talk with your doctor about it so that you can get an official diagnosis.
What Does Having Raynaud’s and Sjögren’s Disease Mean for Me?
Living with Sjögren’s and with Raynaud’s can significantly impact your day-to-day life, but many people do well with a mix of symptom‑targeted care, prevention strategies, and appropriate monitoring for complications.
While Raynaud’s phenomenon is uncomfortable, it’s generally possible to manage with a few lifestyle changes.
In some people, reduced blood flow from Raynaud’s can become severe enough to cause sores on the fingertips, called digital tip ulcerations. These can become infected or slow to heal, so contact your doctor right away if you notice open sores or worsening pain in the affected areas.
You can take steps to reduce the chance of a Raynaud’s flare — including:
- Avoiding rapid temperature changes and planning ahead for cold environments; using stress‑management strategies that work for you
- Keeping your whole body warm is essential by wearing a coat, hat, scarf, warm socks, and gloves or mittens (mittens keep the hands warmer than gloves)
- Use gloves or a kitchen towel to protect your hands when handling something cold (like if you’re taking food out of a freezer)
- Avoiding nicotine products and quitting smoking/vaping, since nicotine can tighten blood vessels and worsen symptoms
When you have a Raynaud’s flare, try these tips to help blood flow return sooner:
- Warm the area gently, for example by running them under warm (not hot) water, using a heating pad, or tucking your hands in your armpits
- Move around to increase circulation — wiggle your toes and fingers or walk around
You can also ask your doctor about medicines to help manage Raynaud’s. Medications such as calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine (Procardia)) help relax the blood vessels. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors that are used to treat erectile dysfunction (e.g., sildenafil [Viagra]) may also provide relief. Very severe cases may require use of intravenous medications, nerve blocks, or surgical amputation.
Topical vasodilator medicines can be applied to affected areas to improve blood flow during flares.
And be sure to the doctor who treats your Sjögren’s knows that you have Raynaud’s. They can help coordinate care, review medications that may worsen symptoms, and guide monitoring, especially if you develop very frequent flares despite preventive measures or fingertip sores.
Explore these resources to learn more about Raynaud’s: