Irish Raynaud's & Scleroderma Society

Caring for someone with Raynaud’s

Overall Aims

Your overall aims should be to keep the body warm, prevent Raynaud’s attacks are far as possible and reduce the length and severity of attacks as much as possible.

Feeling Cold

Caring for someone with Raynaud’s can be challenging because they will feel cold even when others are feeling warm.  In cold weather they will suffer considerably.

Warm Clothing

Look for lightweight, woolen clothing and bedclothes.  Use a fleece underblanket on the bed at night and lightweight woollen blankets or duvet.  Wool filled duvets can be purchased from White Cloud and they offer a special rate for Irish Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Society members.

Warm socks and thick soled shoes or warm slippers are a must.  Uggs are ideal for really cold weather.  Wearing a scarf can be helpful and gloves will help to keep hands warm.  Wrist warmers are also effective and either wool or fleece should be used.  Warm clothes on a radiator or in the hotpress before dressing and warm outdoor clothes before putting them on.  (Never put clothes on a storage heater!  This may cause a fire).  Dress for outdoors several minutes before going out to ensure that the body is warm.

A hat will make a marked difference to the amount of heat being retained and should be worn, even indoors in really cold weather.

Bed socks may be needed at night.  It is important that the feet are warm getting into bed.

Keep a supply of hand and foot warmers and carry them with you when you are out and about.  They will quickly provide heat if a Raynaud’s attack does occur.

Dry Skin

Skin will tend to be dry and hands and feet should be well moisturised.  Large tubs of Aqueous Cream and similar products can be purchased from your local pharmacy and are inexpensive and very effective.

Tend immediately to all cuts and grazes, keeping them very clean.  If healing is slow have them treated by a doctor or a nurse to prevent ulcers developing.

Gentle hand massage is  very soothing and helps to keep the skin in good condition.

Warm Drinks

Give regular warm drinks, particularly in cold weather.  Warm meals are also important.  A balanced diet should be aimed at and there are supplements which may help.  For example, some people find that omega oils are helpful, others use ginger.  Gingko Biloba is thought to help but it is only available on prescription.

Exercise

If possible incorporate some physical exercise into the daily routine.  Try to avoid long periods of inactivity which lead to feeling cold and miserable.  Even ten minutes of activity will improve the circulation and will be more warming than sitting in front of a fire.  Exercise also helps to prevent depression.

Care for Yourself

It is important that, as a carer, you find some time to care for yourself.  You will not be able to look after your Raynaud’s sufferer if you become ill or exhausted.  Join a carer’s group and check out the information available on the following websites:

Age Action www.ageaction.ie

Carers Ireland www.carersireland.com

Want to nominate someone as Carer of the Year? We will shorly give you a link and will be able to get the details and download a form.

Caring for Carers www.caringforcarers.org

You can also contact us for support and information by telephone at 01 2020184, or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)