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CONDITION/DISORDER SYNONYMS
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Raynaud phenomenon
Raynaud’s
Primary Raynaud’s
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PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERN
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7A: Primary Prevention/Risk Reduction for Integumentary Disorders
7E: Impaired Integumentary Integrity Associated with Skin Involvement Extending into Fascia, Muscle, or Bone, and Scar Formation1
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PATIENT PRESENTATION
A 56-year-old female presents with bilateral hand and finger pain. She states that her hands and fingers are always cold. She especially has difficulty in the supermarket when reaching for frozen foods. She notices her fingers go blue and then white. She states the pain occurs when they start to warm up. She carries gloves with her even during the summer months.
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Vasospasm of the arteries to the distal extremities
Most common in the fingers and toes, can affect the nose, ears, and lips
Sensitivity to cold
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Essentials of Diagnosis
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Primary Raynaud’s, the etiology is unknown, more common
Secondary Raynaud’s has a known etiology from another disease or cause
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General Considerations
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Cold temperature can cause a Raynaud attack where there is a brief period of little-to-no blood flow.
Brief temperature changes can cause an attack
Can cause skin sores or gangrene
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Affects 10% of the population
Primary Raynaud’s usually begins before age 30
Secondary Raynaud’s usually begins after age 30
Women are more likely than men, 4:1 ratio
Family history
Living in cold regions
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