Do you have cold hands? Take the 1-minute test that shows if you have debilitating Raynaud’s disease
Are your hands just cold, or are you possibly suffering from a troublesome condition that affects around one in six Brits?
Now a simple 1-minute quiz can tell you if you have Raynaud’s disease, a weather-related condition characterized by color-changing fingertips.
Raynaud’s disease is a condition that affects blood circulation and causes a temporary narrowing of the arteries in response to certain triggers, including cold weather.
This constriction of blood flow causes the limbs to become painful, cold, and even change color.
It is best known for triggering in the fingers, but can also be observed in the toes, ears, nose, nipples, or tongue.
Raynaud’s usually occurs in response to colder temperatures or stress.
Experts are still not sure what causes this to happen in most cases.
However, people are advised to pay attention to the symptoms because, in very rare cases, Raynaud’s disease can be the first sign of a serious and little-known autoimmune disease called scleroderma.
Although health care experts have identified risk factors and lifestyle or medical problems associated with the syndrome, no known genetic cause had been discovered until now
Now a new one quizfounded by the charity Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK’s, aims to help more people learn if they have signs of the condition through five simple questions.
These include whether respondents’ fingers are sensitive to cold and whether they change color in response to temperature or stress.
The tool also asks whether people feel numbness or pain in the area that changes color and whether they experience a stabbing or throbbing sensation as the area warms up.
Finally, people are asked if they have ever developed sores or sores on their fingers or toes.
Participants will then be told their results and given advice on what to do if they may have Raynaud’s disease.
Those who may have the condition will also be invited to take part in an anonymous medical survey to learn more about Raynaud’s disease.
Dr. Punam Krishan TV doctor and general practitioner supports the campaign and calls on people to participate.
“I have already taken the test and encourage as many people as possible to do the same,” she said.
‘This campaign is particularly close to my heart because I know how challenging the situation can be.’
Karen Raney-Marr, 36, from St Albans in Hertfordshire, is one of an estimated 10 million Britons living with Raynaud’s disease.
Raynaud’s disease causes miniature spasms in the blood vessels, cutting off blood flow to the fingers and toes
She said she suffered from symptoms for years before receiving an official diagnosis.
‘For years I suffered from cold fingers and toes, which also became numb or painful and sometimes changed color.
‘I had difficulty performing normal, everyday activities. My GP eventually diagnosed me with Raynaud’s and I am now taking medication to control my symptoms.’
However, she said she still usually experiences Raynaud’s symptoms, called an “attack” about once a day.
‘The attack can lead to chilblains, cracked hands and swelling. I wear gloves most of the year and put on a layer when entering air-conditioned areas like supermarkets,” she said.
Ms Raney-Marr encouraged as many people as possible to take the online test, saying if such a resource had been available in her teens she might have been able to get support earlier.
Raynaud’s disease does not cause any major problems in most cases and can be managed by patients by ensuring they wrap their limbs to protect against sudden temperature shocks.
People with a more severe version are occasionally prescribed a type of medication called vasodilators, which helps improve blood flow.
However, Raynaud’s disease can be a sign of serious and potentially life-limiting conditions, such as the autoimmune disease scleroderma.
Scleroderma is a rare condition in which tissue in the body hardens and thickens.
Usually only the skin is affected, but this process can extend to joints and even internal organs such as the heart and lungs, which can be life-threatening.
It is thought that only around 20,000 Britons have scleroderma, but it is very common for those who do to also have Raynaud’s disease.
About one in ten people with Raynaud’s disease develop an autoimmune disease such as arthritis, lupus or even scleroderma. So it is important to have the symptoms checked by a doctor if they get worse.
Those who suddenly develop Raynaud’s disease after age 30 or before age 12 are also encouraged to see their doctor.
