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Raynaud's phenomenon
System: Skin & Nail Signs · All skin & nail signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
On exposure to cold or stress, the fingers (or toes) turn white, then blue, then red, in sequence, often with numbness and tingling.
What a positive finding suggests
Primary Raynaud's is common and benign; secondary Raynaud's is associated with connective tissue diseases such as systemic sclerosis, and with vibration injury.
◈ Behind the name
Auguste Gabriel Maurice Raynaud (1834–1881), French physician, who described it in his doctoral thesis.
Related signs — Skin & Nail Signs
Browse the R section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.
Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.