What is Raynaud’s Disease?

7 July 2015 | John

Raynaud’s Disease (also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon) affects blood flow to certain extremities. This usually happens to fingers and toes, and happens when blood vessels in certain parts of your body go into spasm. These spasms cut off blood flow temporarily and leaves your fingers and toes numb and painful.

The condition is thought to be more common in women and is found more often in colder climates. It is not life-threatening; however it can be difficult to live with as it will put your hands and/or feet out of action until the blood has fully returned. Complications can arise with severe cases of Raynaud’s disease, including ulcers and gangrene, which leads to tissue death.

What are the Symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease?

The lack of blood in the area may cause pain, numbness and a cold sensation alongside the skin colour change and as blood flow returns the affected areas can throb and swell. Symptoms can vary in duration from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the severity of the condition. Here are some common symptoms associated with Raynaud's disease:

Differentiation in Skin Colour
Numbness in Toes
Pain When Walking Barefoot
Stinging Sensation
Tingling Sensation in Toes
Whitened Skin

What Can Cause Raynaud’s Disease?

There are two types of Raynaud’s disease: primary and secondary.

Primary Raynaud’s disease happens when the condition develops by itself, whereas secondary Raynaud’s disease is caused by another condition. These conditions are mostly autoimmune conditions, i.e. conditions that cause the body’s defences to attack healthy parts of the body such as lupus.

There is no clear cause of primary Raynaud’s disease; however both primary and secondary causes have certain triggers that cause the blood vessels to spasm. The most likely trigger of a Raynaud’s disease attack is a sudden drop in temperature, such as putting your hands into a freezer or going into cold water. However, an attack can also be triggered by emotional stress or anxiety.

How Can Shoe Insoles help with Raynaud’s Disease?

If your toes are affected by Raynaud’s disease, a shoe insole can help deal with the condition. It is a sudden drop in temperature which triggers an attack of Raynaud’s disease and not the cold itself. As a result it is vitally important that those who suffer from Raynaud’s disease keep their feet at a consistent temperature. The right shoe insole can regulate your feet’s temperature in hot or cold climates, reducing the risk of an attack.

Please visit the Shoe Insoles website for a full range of Insoles for Raynaud’s Disease.