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Raynaud's phenomenon: A condition resulting indiscoloration of fingers and/or toes when a person is exposed to changes in temperature ( cold or hot) or emotional events.
The skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm ofthe blood vessels causes a diminished blood supply. Initially, the digits involved turn white because of diminished blood supply, then turn blue because of prolonged lack of oxygen and finally, the blood vessels reopen, causing a local flushingphenomenon, which turns the digits red. This three-phase color sequence (white to blue to red), most often upon exposure to cold temperature, is characteristic of Raynaud'sphenomenon.
Raynaud's phenomenon occurs with a number of conditions including rheumatic diseases ( scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), hormone imbalance ( hypothyroidism and carcinoid), trauma ( frostbite, vibrating tools), medications ( propranolol/ INDERAL, estrogens, nicotine, bleomycin) and, uncommonly, cancer.
The phenomenon is named for the French physician Maurice Raynaud (1834-1881).