Raynaud's phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon is the short term interruption of blood flow to the extremities, such as fingers and toes. It is caused by a constriction of the blood vessels. Other areas of the body can be affected, including the ears, nose, tongue and even the nipples of breastfeeding mothers.
Raynaud's phenomenon can last from just a few minutes to many hours. Around five per cent of the population has the condition to some degree. It is much more common in females, with around one in five women thought to experience Raynaud's phenomenon at least once in their lifetime. Women under the age of 25 years are more commonly affected.
Raynaud's phenomenon doesn't usually cause permanent damage. In some cases, however, it may be symptomatic of more serious illnesses such as scleroderma and lupus in which up to 90 per cent of people with the illness can have this complication.