1.What is Raynaud’s phenomenon? Some people’s fingers or toes are white, purple or flushed when cold, accompanied by numbness, pain or burning sensation, relieved by heat, this phenomenon is called Raynaud’s phenomenon. Some patients often also have similar changes in the ears, nose, tongue and other exposed areas of the body. Cold and emotional stress can trigger or aggravate this phenomenon. If the Raynaud’s phenomenon is frequent or severe, ulceration or even necrosis of the fingers or toes may occur. 2.Why does Raynaud’s phenomenon occur? The real cause of Raynaud’s phenomenon is not clear, it is caused by the spasm of small arteries at the extremities. It can be divided into three stages: 1 spasm ischemic period: the finger and toe arteries first spasm, followed by capillaries and small veins also spasm, the skin pale. 2 bruising hypoxic period: arterial spasm first subside, capillary blood stagnation, hypoxia, skin cyanosis. 3 expansion congestion period: spasm all lifted, there is reactive vasodilatation congestion, skin flushing, and then turn to normal skin color. 3.Who is prone to Raynaud’s phenomenon? Raynaud’s phenomenon is most common in women of childbearing age, especially young women, often accompanied by immune rheumatism; such as systemic scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, dry syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, etc. Some patients with immune rheumatism can have symptoms of the primary disease only after several years of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Therefore, people suffering from Raynaud’s phenomenon, especially when accompanied by joint pain, mouth ulcers, hair loss, dry mouth, low fever and other symptoms, should go to the hospital rheumatology department as early as possible in order to promptly diagnose and treat the primary disease. 4.What should I do after Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs? First of all, we should look for the primary cause of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Early and thorough treatment of the primary disease is important. For example, patients with systemic scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, dry syndrome, etc. often first show Raynaud’s phenomenon of joint pain, white and purple fingers or toes when they are cold, and sometimes these symptoms can be relieved by themselves, so patients often do not pay attention to them. It is recommended that patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon should avoid the influence of internal and external factors, in addition to timely diagnosis and treatment of the original disease. The most important therapeutic intervention for Raynaud’s phenomenon is insulation. A warm environment can reduce the number and severity of Raynaud’s phenomenon episodes. All patients should dress in thicker and looser clothing with the aim of maintaining the temperature of the whole body and not just the affected limb. Avoid precipitating factors; for example, absolute abstinence from smoking, avoiding contact with cold objects, and avoiding mental and emotional stress. Medication: Oral calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine, amlodipine, thiodiazepine) are the first-line agents for the treatment of severe Raynaud’s phenomenon. Nifedipine (cardiac pain) 10-20 mg orally three times daily can reduce the severity of Raynaud’s phenomenon and finger ischemic ulcers. Vasodilators: such as salvia and low molecular dextran to improve blood circulation and reduce the onset of vasospasm. Antiplatelet agents and antioxidants: antiplatelet therapy with low-dose aspirin may also be effective. Localized finger end necrosis should be treated with antibiotics and kept clean.