February marks Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's phenomenon awareness month. The ME Association is helping to raise awareness of this condition as the symptoms can affect people with ME/CFS and Long Covid.
Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK)
SRUK is the only national charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with scleroderma and Raynaud's disease/phenomenon.
“Raynaud's disease (Ray-nodes) means that the small blood vessels in the extremities such as the hands, feet, fingers or toes are over-sensitive to even the slightest changes in temperature, cold conditions and sometimes emotional stress.”
“In some cases, it is another health condition that causes the blood vessels to overreact, leading to Raynaud's symptoms. This is called secondary Raynaud's. The chances of having secondary Raynaud's are very low, since only 10% of people with Raynaud's will develop an associated condition.”
Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK
Symptoms of Raynaud’s disease can include:
- extreme sensitivity to cold
- white fingers and toes
- poor circulation
- pain
- numbness
- pins and needles
- skin problems/deterioration
- tingling and throbbing (when circulation improves)
Website Survey
The ME Association invites you to take a website survey about Raynaud’s disease and ME/CFS
ME/CFS
“Cold hands and feet are very common in ME/CFS and sometimes a more severe form occurs that is consistent with Raynaud’s disease”
Dr Charles Shepherd, Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser, The ME Association.
The NICE Guideline on ME/CFS:
1.2.4 Be aware that the following symptoms may also be associated with, but are not exclusive to, ME/CFS:
- temperature hypersensitivity resulting in profuse sweating, chills, hot flushes, or feeling very cold.
More information
The ME Association has a Free information booklet that provides detailed information and guidance on the management of cold hands and feet in ME/CFS: