A condition resulting in skin
discoloration of the fingers and/or toes when a person is exposed to
changes in temperature (cold or hot) or to emotional events. This
condition can occur alone or as a part of another disease (such as
rheumatoid arthritis). When the condition occurs alone it is referred
to as "Raynaud disease" or primary Raynaud phenomenon. When it
accompanies other diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis), it is
called secondary Raynaud phenomenon.
The skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm of the
blood vessels causes a diminished blood supply. Initially, the digits
involved turn white because of diminished blood supply, then turn
blue because of prolonged lack of oxygen and finally, the blood
vessels reopen, causing a local "flushing" phenomenon, which turns
the digits red. This three-phase color sequence (white to blue to
red), most often upon exposure to cold temperature, is characteristic
of Raynaud disease.
The disease is named for the French physician Maurice
Raynaud (1834-1881).
Common Misspellings: raynaud's diease, raynaud's desease
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