Raynaud's Phenomenon

Home Treatment

Symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon can often be relieved by home treatment.

To prevent or relieve symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon that affect your hands or feet:

• Wear mittens or gloves anytime it is cool outside. Mittens are warmer than gloves because they keep your fingers together. Gloves underneath mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves alone.
• Wear mittens or gloves or use pot holders or oven mitts when getting something from the freezer or refrigerator.
• Drink hot liquids. This helps maintain your internal body temperature.
• When drinking from a cold container such as a can or bottle, use an insulated cover.
• Warm your hands by running warm water over them or rubbing them together. This often will increase blood flow to your hands, relieving an attack of Raynaud's phenomenon. Be careful not to burn your hands under water that is too hot.
• Wear wool, synthetic, or cotton-blend socks rather than pure cotton socks. They keep your feet drier and warmer by pulling moisture away from your skin.
• Use foot powder to help absorb moisture from your feet. When your feet are damp, they are more easily chilled.
• Swing your arms rapidly in a circle at the sides of your body ("windmilling"), which can temporarily increase blood flow into your fingers.

To keep your whole body warm:

• Wear layers of warm clothing. The inner layer should be made of a material such as polypropylene that pulls moisture away from your body.
• Wear a hat. You lose more body heat from your head than from any other part of your body.
• Do not wear clothing that is too tight. Tight clothing can decrease or cut off circulation.
• Try to stay dry. Choose waterproof, breathable jackets and boots. Being wet makes you more likely to become chilled.
• Maintain even temperatures between rooms.

In general:

• Quit smoking, and avoid caffeine (in coffee, some soft drinks, and nonherbal teas). Nicotine and caffeine can cause blood vessels to become narrower (constrict). These drugs may trigger an attack of Raynaud's phenomenon or increase the severity of an attack.
• Avoid taking certain medications that may cause or aggravate Raynaud's phenomenon, such as drugs that affect blood flow, including cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine, some heart and blood medications, and migraine headache medications. Talk to your health professional about other steps you can take to reduce the effect of Raynaud's phenomenon while still taking these medications.
• Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration, which can lower the amount of blood moving through the blood vessels and help bring on an attack of Raynaud's phenomenon or make an attack more severe.
• Eat a hot meal before going outside. Eating raises your body temperature and helps keep you warm.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Sabra L. Katz-Wise	Last Updated: July 19, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.