Understanding Raynaud's Syndrome: An Idaho Podiatrist's Guide to Foot Health and Mobility
Also known as Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s phenomenon, this condition affects blood flow to the extremities. The most common symptoms are sudden numbness or color changes in your toes and fingers.
While there’s not a specific cause of Raynaud’s syndrome, our dedicated Idaho podiatrists at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle will confirm your diagnosis, address any complications, and offer lifestyle and treatment solutions to manage it more effectively. Here’s what you should know.
How Raynaud's Syndrome Affects Your Feet
It’s not fully understood why some people develop Raynaud's syndrome, but it's believed to be related to an overactive sympathetic nervous system. This causes the tiny blood vessels in your toes to constrict more than usual, limiting blood flow and resulting in what’s called an episode or attack. These episodes can last for just a few minutes or as long as several hours.
Raynaud's syndrome can be classified into two categories:
- Primary. This is the more common form and typically occurs without an underlying medical condition. It's often milder and may not require extensive treatment. Primary Raynaud’s is more prevalent in women, people under 30, and anyone with a family history of the disease.
- Secondary. This type is associated with an underlying health condition, such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus. If Raynaud’s is linked to these or other autoimmune conditions, it tends to be more severe and may require comprehensive management.
Many of our patients report symptoms such as:
- Extreme sensitivity to cold
- Toes that turn white or blue because of restricted blood flow and a lack of oxygen
- Numbness, tingling, or even pain in the toes
- Swelling once normal blood flow resumes
- Foot ulcers or wounds that can’t heal because of reduced circulation—often a problem for people managing diabetes or peripheral neuropathy
The Arthritis Foundation indicates that roughly 1 in 10 people have some form of Raynaud’s.
Does Cold Weather Make Raynaud’s Symptoms Worse?
It depends. Many people have episodes because of anxiety or stress, a reaction to certain medications or chemicals, or exposure to cold temperatures.
Generally in the Treasure Valley, our winters aren’t so extreme that someone would have Raynaud’s attacks all the time. But lingering damp, cold weather or extended time spent in higher altitudes may affect you more if you’re not able to fully regulate your body temperature or keep your feet warm and dry.
How Our Idaho Podiatrists Can Help You Manage Raynaud’s Syndrome
This condition can’t be cured, so the doctors at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle prefer to get a full medical history and work with you and your other care providers on a multifaceted, individualized management approach. Here are some of our treatment strategies.
Lifestyle Modifications
Simple changes can make a big difference in managing Raynaud's syndrome. These may include:
- Wearing warm, layered clothing
- Following guidelines for proper winter foot care
- Using hand and foot warmers
- Avoiding rapid temperature changes
- Quitting smoking, as nicotine constricts blood vessels
- Lowering or eliminating alcohol intake
- Regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Embracing different stress management techniques
Stretching Exercises
Consistent movement helps encourage less constriction of blood vessels. Wiggling your toes throughout the day, doing a few sets of leg lifts, and curling and extending your toes all help with circulation.
Different Medications
In some cases, we may prescribe medication to help improve blood flow. These might also be administered as a topical cream or ointment.
Proper Arthritis Care
If left untreated, Raynaud’s disease might damage delicate toe tissue, which poses a problem for arthritic joints. Our doctors understand how to help you avoid complications from different foot issues associated with arthritis so you can minimize symptoms and won’t be held back from enjoying your favorite activities.
With expert care from our experienced Idaho podiatrists, you can take control of your foot health and improve your overall quality of life.