Irish Raynaud's & Scleroderma Society

Be Empowered

What can you do for yourself when you have Raynaud’s?

* Reduce the number of Raynaud’s attacks by taking preventive action. Remember: fewer attacks mean fewer problems
* Eat very well; eat enough; eat often to keep your blood-sugar levels constant
* Take natural supplements if your diet is not complete
* Exercise daily to improve circulation. Swing arms; shake legs; climb stairs; walk
* Protect your skin, particularly from the cold, but also from water as this chills your body

Protect hands and feet:

from cold-

* Use thermal gloves, socks, and boots to prevent both the drying effects of weather and Raynaud’s attacks
* Look for wool, sheepskin, or Thinsulate
* Look for new technology warmers like silver gloves and silver socks
* Use Hand-Warmers and Foot-Warmers, invaluable in cold weather
* Choose shoes and boots with thick soles
* Exercise as much as possible to improve blood supply to the skin

from water-

* Wear rubber gloves to protect the hands with thin cotton gloves inside them to prevent the skin sweating
* Use barrier creams like Vaseline or Aqueous Cream on your hands/feet inside gloves/socks
* Always use skin cream after washing

from sun-

* Use a sunscreen with UVA as well as UVB rating
* Wear light clothing over the skin wherever possible
* Do not rely on shade from trees
* Remember that the sun is most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
* Remember the sun’s rays are intensified next to water

What you can do to raise your core temperature:

* Keep the entire body warm
* Wear a body-warmer on top of, and a vest underneath, your regular clothes
* Use hand-and foot-warmers
* Wear a hat: it returns 30% of body-heat
* Wear several layers instead of one thick one
* Allow no gaps: use wrist-warmers, long socks, woolly tights not nylons, boots, ear muffs
* Don’t neglect your legs: increase the thickness of your trousers
* Put on outdoor clothes 10 mins before going out
* Pre-warm clothes on the radiator before putting them on
* Store your clothes in the airing cupboard

What you can do to be warmer in bed:

* Move to a smaller bed-do not sleep alone in a double-bed
* Consider your bedding as an entire package, both under and on top of you
* Get an electric under-blanket
* Get a woolen pile under-blanket
* Change from blankets to a high-quality duvet
* Select a higher-quality duvet from goose-down, wool-fibre, or 13.5 tog polyester
* Get a woolen fibre pillow or wear a hat in bed
* Use a hot water bottle (Important-only if you do not have an electric blanket)
* Keep a pair of sheepskin slippers just for wearing in bed

What you can do for yourself:

Be empowered as a patient

* Write down questions for doctor before appointment
* Learn what is going on in hospital
* Take in our materials to your GP
* Ask for second opinion or referral
* Ask for tests if your Raynaud’s is severe

Be empowered as a citizen

* Use our new Social Rights service
* Keep asking for the help you need