The condition occurs because your blood vessels go into a temporary spasm, blocking the flow of blood to the extremities such as your hands, fingers, toes, ears and nose. 

This causes the affected area to change colour to white, then blue and then red, as the blood flow returns. You may also experience numbness, pain, and pins and needles.

Symptoms of Raynaud's can last from a few minutes to several hours. An attack is usually triggered by cold temperatures, anxiety or stress. It's not a serious threat to your health, but can be a very uncomfortable, possibly painful, process. It can also make everyday tasks, like buttoning a jacket or unzipping a purse, very difficult.

People with Raynaud’s often go for long periods without any symptoms, and sometimes the condition goes away altogether.

People who use the tips of their fingers at work, such as keyboard users, may develop a habit of hitting the keys hard with the tips of their fingers. This can damage tiny capillaries in the finger tips causing temporary Raynaud's. This type of Raynaud's is easily sorted by changing typing technique or by wearing silicone digital caps on the finger tips for typing.

There are two forms of Raynaud's Phenomenon:

This is usually mild and manageable. People with primary Raynaud's symptoms have no other complications, and only occasionally go on to develop a related problem. By anticipating attacks to the fingers and hands the condition can be managed by having handy disposable heat packs available to slide inside your gloves.

This is where Raynaud's is caused by another condition, usually an autoimmune disease like scleroderma or lupus. Autoimmune means your immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissue in your body body such as the tiny capillaries in your fingers. 

Around 40% of people with scleroderma will develop digital ulcerations.

Digital ulcers are often slow to heal because of poor circulation and tight skin; this does mean that infection is common as the healing time is prolonged. Digital ulcers can have a huge impact on quality of life by making daily living difficult such as washing or preparing food.

It is important to closely manage ulcers and seek medical advice if you notice any sign of infection.  How quickly digital ulcers heal varies hugely from one person to another and what works for you may not for someone else. A tailored approach is required for each person.

You can usually treat Raynaud's phenomenon in the hands yourself, although for this you will need to have heat insulating gloves. Sometimes medication is necessary.

If you've been diagnosed with secondary Raynaud’s, you may be referred to a specialist in the treatment of the underlying condition.

Self-help: The following advice is recommended for both primary and secondary Raynaud’s.

These include: