Raynaud's Association

Can Cocoa Flavanols Help Frosties?

The health benefits of flavanols found in dark chocolate include improved heart health. It makes us wonder: Can cocoa flavanols Help Frosties?

Georgie XOXO Blog Offers Tips for Managing Raynaud’s

We discovered the Georgie XOXO blog on Twitter. Written by a fellow Frostie, it includes useful information and tips to those living with Raynaud’s,

Winter 2020 Member Tips

Getting a blood saturation level on patients with Raynaud’s is often a challenge. Our Board member shared a trick in our Winter 2020 Member Tips post.

Polar Explorer Survival Tips

Following the Polar explorer survival tips we found can help people living with Raynaud’s cope with frigid winter weather conditions.

Latest in Diagnosing Raynaud's

Raynaud’s Patient Guide in U.S. News & World Report

U.S News Report published a Raynaud’s Patient Guide. Created through interviews with leading medical experts, it does an excellent job on the subject.

Reader’s Digest Explains Raynaud’s

An article in the UK version of Reader’s Digest explains Raynaud’s. It’s titled Everything you need to know about Raynaud’s disease.

Cold Intolerance in the News

This time of year there aren’t a lot of articles about cold intolerance in the news, so we were glad to see the Alvarado News feature Raynaud’s in a recent issue.

Penn Medicine Article on Raynaud’s

Penn Medicine’s web site offers an excellent overview on Raynaud’s titled “The Cold Truth About Raynaud’s.”

CosySoles Microwave Heated Slippers

When we were approached by CosySole’s team, we were skeptical, but CosySoles Microwave Heated Slippers stood up to the test!

Hot Products for Summer 2020

Our Hot Products for Summer 2020 feature items from our Sponsors helping us stay safe and well during these challenging times.

Hot Products for Spring 2020

Our Hot Products for Spring 2020 feature new items from our Sponsors helping people stay well and protected against the Coronavirus threat.

Masks in Our Raynaud’s Store

We’re offering disposable medical masks in our Raynaud’s Store for our friends in the Raynaud’s community.

The Thermostat Battle Continues

The thermostat battle continues: Why are women colder than men? An issue close to the hearts of many people with Raynaud’s who freeze in air conditioning.

Shivers Stars in New Educational Video

Our mascot Shivers is the star of our new educational video! Shivers is a Blue-footed Booby that became our spokesbird because of his deep blue feet.

Introducing Member Spotlight!

Introducing Member Spotlight – a new feature where fellow Frosties share their stories, experiences and challenges with the Raynaud’s community.

Winter 2020 Member Tips

Getting a blood saturation level on patients with Raynaud’s is often a challenge. Our Board member shared a trick in our Winter 2020 Member Tips post.

Fall 2019 Member Tips

A lifelong Raynaud’s sufferer shared a simple, non-invasive way to lessen the effects of Raynaud’s and agreed to share it in our Fall 2019 Member Tips post.

Gymnastics Star Sets the Record Straight About Raynaud’s

Team USA Gymnastics Champion Kristle Lowell demands Raynaud’s Phenomenon be taken more seriously as a potential year-round disability.

CosySoles Microwave Heated Slippers

When we were approached by CosySole’s team, we were skeptical, but CosySoles Microwave Heated Slippers stood up to the test!

Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmers

Instant heat is a wonderful thing for those living with Raynaud’s, and Ocoopa’s Rechargeable Hand Warmers really heat up fast with the punch of a button! The first thing you’ll notice is how soft, lightweight and comfy the product feels […]

SunLoops® Hand Warmer Holders

SunLoops™ hand warmer holders were invented by Sandy Seibert, a Raynaud’s sufferer who was searching for a solution to warm her cold hands during attacks.

Volt™ Indoor/Outdoor Heated Slippers

We tested Volt indoor/outdoor heated slippers when they first came on the market several years back and it was love at first sight and burst of warmth!

Latest in Raynaud's Research

Cocoa-Loving Frosties Wanted for Product Test!

Cocoa-loving Frosties wanted to help us evaluate the potential benefits of cocoa flavanols specifically for Raynaud’s sufferers.

Classical Conditioning Raynaud’s Therapy

Here’s an update on a Raynaud’s therapy known as Classical Conditioning. Research and technology have improved making the technique now more viable.

Study Results: Raynaud’s and Mental Health

A news post on the SRUK’s (Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK) web site provides results of a study on Raynaud’s and mental health.

Botox Applied to the Toes Restores Heat to Feet

We found a report of Botox applied to the toes of Raynaud’s sufferers. While the sample size was extremely limited (three women), results are promising.

Latest in Stories

A Frostie’s Diary Post on Raynaud’s

We discovered a diary post on Raynaud’s worthy of sharing for how well the author expresses her experience with the disorder.

Athlete Mackenzie Bland Won’t Let Raynaud’s Slow Her Down!

We found this video of Mackenzie Bland, a senior at Nipomo High School and team captain of their track and field team who is a Raynaud’s sufferer.

SpikeBoarding for Raynaud’s

Enrique Cubillo, innovator of a new endurance sport took to the road to help promote Raynaud’s Awareness Month- he’s spikeboarding for Raynaud’s!

Frostie on a Mission to Bring Warmth to Fellow Sufferers

We discovered a web site called ColdHands.net. It was created by a fellow Frostie on a mission who has lived with the condition for over 20 years.

Welcome to the Raynaud's Association

If your fingertips, toes or any other extremity become painful when exposed to cold temperatures, you might be suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon.

If holding an iced drink - or putting your hands in the freezer - causes your fingers to turn blue (or white), you could be one of an estimated 28 million people in the U.S. who have Raynaud's phenomenon.

If air conditioning often triggers your fingers or toes to hurt, you might be experiencing a Raynaud's spasm.

The Raynaud's Association is here to help. We're a 501c3 non-profit organization providing support and education to the many sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon - an exaggerated sensitivity to cold temperatures.

What Is Raynaud's

Raynaud’s (ray-NODES) is named for the French physician Maurice Raynaud, who first recognized the condition in 1862. The disease causes an interruption of blood flow to the fingers, toes, nose, and/or ears when a spasm occurs in the blood vessels of these areas. Spasms are caused by exposure to cold or emotional stress. Typically, the affected area turns white, then blue, then bright red over the course of the attack. There may be associated tingling, swelling, or painful throbbing. The attacks may last from minutes to hours. In severe cases, the area may develop ulcerations and infections, which can lead to gangrene.

Raynaud’s can occur as a “primary” disease; that is, with no associated disorder. It can also occur as a “secondary” condition related to other diseases, such as scleroderma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Approximately 5-10 percent of all Americans suffer from Raynaud’s, but only one out of ten sufferers seeks treatment. Both men and women suffer from Raynaud’s, but women are nine times more likely to be affected. Some researchers estimate as many as 20% of all women in their childbearing years have Raynaud’s.

Although it’s been over 100 years since Raynaud’s was recognized, little is still known about the condition, its cause, or its cure. The Raynaud’s Association seeks to raise awareness and understanding of this perplexing phenomenon.

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