Up to 10 million people in the UK have a form of Raynaud’s and yet research shows that nearly half of UK adults don’t know any of the signs of Raynaud’s Disease. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to raise awareness.
Raynaud’s disease (Ray-nodes) means that the small blood vessels in the extremities such as the hands, feet, fingers or toes are over-sensitive to even the slightest changes in temperature, cold conditions and sometimes emotional stress.
When our bodies are exposed to the cold, a normal response is for the blood vessels to become narrower. When someone has Raynaud’s this reaction may be much more extreme. It will sometimes cause a noticeable colour change to the affected areas, with the skin turning white, then blue and finally to red as the circulation returns. This is known as a Raynaud’s attack.
Too many people just live with Raynaud’s without knowing what it is and how they can manage the symptoms better. For roughly 300,000 of them it’s a sign of an underlying condition. By sharing your stories of what it is like to live with Raynaud’s we are encouraging others to take action.