Rodney Bluestone Medical

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition in which poor blood flow results in discomfort and pain. Symptoms appear suddenly and are triggered by cold temperature or emotional stress. Skin changes of classic Raynaud’s phenomenon are triphasic. Initially, the skin may turn white, followed by blue and red. These changes do not occur in all cases. The attack can be reversed approximately 10-15 minutes after the triggering event. Fingers and toes are the most commonly affected but ears, nose, nipples, and knees can also be involved. Raynaud’s phenomenon can be seen in patients with other autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, or Sjogren’s syndrome.