Irish Raynaud's & Scleroderma Society

Patient Information

Managing Raynaud’s

Raynaud’s is not life-threatening, but it can make it hard for you to enjoy your life. The first thing that you must recognise is that, ultimately, it is your own responsibility. Raynaud’s is triggered by certain conditions, usually cold or stress, and it is up to you to eliminate these as much as possible from your life. Your GP, pharmacist, friends, colleagues, and family will all be supportive, but you are the one who has to put on gloves, buy handwarmers, and refuse invitations to football matches.

There isn’t a cure for Raynaud’s, but your attacks can be effectively managed by self-help and dietary supplements, and in severe cases by medications.

Ways to prevent Raynaud’s attacks include:

* Wear insulated gloves
* Stop smoking
* Wear gloves when taking food from freezer cabinets
* Stop hanging up laundry
* Stop using cold water to wash vegetables/clothes
* Wear thick-soled shoes and heavy socks
* Wear hats/gloves/wrist-warmers

Ways to handle Raynaud’s attacks include:

* Place hands/feet in lukewarm water
* Rub hands/feet briskly
* Drink a large hot beverage
* Shake arms and legs
* Walk around indoors
* Put your hands in your armpits
* Take a hot bath
* Get really warm all over

Products that may help to prevent Raynaud’s attacks include:

* Portable hand-warmers
* Portable foot-warmers
* Wrist-warmers
* Silver fibre gloves and socks

All the above are available online from the Products section

Orders for Products can also be sent by post, with a cheque or postal order, made out to the IRSS and posted to The Irish Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Society, P.O. Box 2958, Foxrock, Dublin 18.

Supplements that may help to prevent Raynaud’s attacks include:

* Ginger
* Garlic
* Omega 3
* Gingko Biloba