Raynauds disease

The doctor will want to inspect your fingers and toes while also looking at your skin and nailbeds.

For example, they may apply some mild pressure to your nailbeds. Measuring your capillary refill timeTrusted Source offers a visual assessment of your circulation, and it’s a good indicator of your blood vessel health.

To determine the type of Raynaud’s disease, your doctor may also do a more thorough exam to determine if other medical conditions may be causing secondary Raynaud’s.

Medical history

When discussing your symptoms, the doctor may ask about specific risk factors for Raynaud’s syndrome. Then, they might want to know your typical response to stress or cold temperatures and if you’ve noticed any changes.

For example, if you’ve recently started to notice color changes in your fingers when you work outside in the winter, you’ll want to make sure they know about that.

Diagnostic testing

There are different tests your doctor may offer to make their definitive diagnosis and includes:

cold stimulation test: a small device measures your finger’s temperature when exposed to cold and then removed from cold

nail fold

capillaroscopy

capillaroscopy: a drop of oil on your nail is examined via microscope in order to detect abnormalities

antinuclear antibody (ANA): checks for autoimmune proteins in the blood

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): measures inflammation levels in the body

C-reactive protein (CRP): assesses the liver’s response to inflammation

Medications used to treat Raynaud’s work to dilate or widen your blood vessels. These drugsTrusted Source include:

calcium channel blockers: first line of defense and includes amlodipine and nifedipine

phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor: treats other circulation ailments, such as erectile dysfunction, and includes sildenafil

topical nitrates: absorbed in the skin and includes nitroglycerin

other blood pressure medications: such as losartan and prazosin

low-dose aspirin: 81-milligram aspirin daily is recommended

Infusions

Your doctor may recommend prostaglandin infusions when the lack of oxygen supply to the affected tissues is severe. Intravenous therapy of the drug works to dilate your blood vessels and prevent blood clots.

Surgery

Severe cases of Raynaud’s can be distressing, though it may not last long. If severe Raynaud’s phenomenon is impacting your life, your doctor could recommend a sympathectomy in rare cases. The surgery blocks the nerves causing the blood vessels to constrict. After a few years, you may need a repeat procedure.

Surgery is typically a rare option without much clinical research to support it. Speak with your doctor to discuss all of your treatment options.