There are many strange diseases in the world that leave people astonished. One of them is Raynaud’s syndrome, which causes a patient’s fingers to partially turn white or blue. Some even liken this symptom to the “Devil’s Hand” because of how frightening it looks.

What is Raynaud’s syndrome?

Raynaud’s syndrome is named after Dr. Auguste Gabriel Maurice Raynaud, who first described it in his doctoral thesis in 1862. This rare condition can be described as an exaggerated reaction to triggers such as cold or stress.

Normally, the body tries to preserve heat by slowing blood flow to the farthest points, such as the fingers. But with Raynaud’s syndrome, the small arteries that carry blood to the fingertips become constricted, causing the skin in those areas to turn white or blue due to prolonged lack of oxygen.

Raynaud’s syndrome often does not affect a patient’s quality of life. However, in extremely rare cases, blood flow may be reduced so severely that it causes tissue damage, such as skin ulcers or even tissue death, which may require amputation.

For some patients, even mild triggers like air conditioning or touching a cold surface can bring on an attack of Raynaud’s.

Signs and symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome include:

• Cold fingers or toes.

• Changes in skin color in response to cold or stress.

• A prickling or stinging sensation when warming up or relieving stress.

A Raynaud’s episode usually lasts about 15 minutes but can persist for several hours. Afterward, the arteries dilate, and blood flow returns to the extremities. Sometimes pain may occur, but more often it is just a tingling sensation in the affected area. The fingers then turn bright red before returning to their normal color.

Causes of Raynaud’s syndrome

Doctors still do not fully understand why some people’s bodies overreact to cold and stress, and there is currently no cure for the condition.

It is estimated that about 4% of people experience Raynaud’s phenomenon, but the severity of attacks varies. In some cases, the contrast between normal fingers and those with restricted blood flow is striking.

About 4% of people experience Raynaud’s phenomenon, but attack severity differs.

1. Primary Raynaud’s

This is the most common form and is not linked to any underlying medical condition. Many people with primary Raynaud’s may even recover on their own.

2. Secondary Raynaud’s

This form is caused by an underlying health problem. Though less common than primary Raynaud’s, it tends to be more severe. Some causes include:

• Connective tissue diseases
  Most people with the rare disease scleroderma, which causes skin thickening and scarring, also have Raynaud’s. Other conditions that increase the risk include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
  This condition involves pressure on the main nerve of the hand, causing numbness and pain, and making the hands more prone to cold.

• Repetitive actions or excessive vibration
  Typing, playing the piano, or performing similar repetitive tasks for long periods, as well as operating vibrating tools such as jackhammers, may lead to overuse injuries and trigger Raynaud’s.

• Injuries to the hands or feet
  Examples include wrist fractures, surgery, or frostbite.

• Certain medications
  These include drugs for high blood pressure, migraine medications containing ergotamine and sumatriptan, ADHD medications, vasoconstrictors, and over-the-counter cold remedies.

Risk factors for Raynaud’s syndrome

The disease that suddenly turns fingers white or blue, likened to the “Devil’s Hand” – Image 3.

There are several risk factors for Raynaud’s syndrome:

• Sex
  Women are more likely to develop this condition than men.

• Age
  Although anyone can develop Raynaud’s, primary Raynaud’s most often begins between the ages of 15 and 30.

• Climate
  The disorder is more common among people living in colder climates.

• Family history
  Having close relatives—such as parents, siblings, or children—with Raynaud’s may increase the risk.