If you just recently developed Raynaud’s phenomenon, don’t panic! Most of the time, this phenomenon is not related to a serious illness and will remain fairly easy to control. However, it is important to consult a health care professional at some point so that a complete evaluation of the phenomenon can be performed.
If you think you have Raynaud’s phenomenon, it may be good idea to take pictures of the part of your body that is affected, including pictures of each colour “phase” during the attack. These photos will help the health care professional confirm the diagnosis.
Raynaud’s phenomenon is rarely an emergency. However, if the white or blue colour persists for a long time (often more than 20-30 minutes) and is associated with severe pain, even after you have warmed up, you should go to a hospital emergency room to be evaluated. You should also go to the emergency room if you notice a loss of feeling in a part of your body, or if you are no longer able to move a part of your body. Another reason to see a health care professional quickly is if you notice sores appearing on your fingertips for no reason.
If you suffer from Raynaud’s phenomenon, it is important to consult a health care professional (for example a pharmacist) before starting any new medication or natural product, even if sold over the counter. Some products, such as nasal decongestants, can make Raynaud’s phenomenon worse.
Also, if you have Raynaud’s phenomenon and you smoke, you should consult a health care professional in order to get help with quitting, with or without medication.