Lifestyle and home remedies

A variety of steps can decrease Raynaud's attacks and help you feel better.

• Avoid smoke. Smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke causes skin temperature to drop by tightening blood vessels, which can lead to an attack.
• Exercise. Exercise can increase circulation, among other health benefits. If you have secondary Raynaud's, talk to your doctor before exercising outdoors in the cold.
• Control stress. Learning to recognize and avoid stressful situations might help control the number of attacks.
• Avoid rapidly changing temperatures. Try not to move from a hot environment to an air-conditioned room. If possible, avoid frozen-food sections of grocery stores.

What to do during an attack

Warm your hands, feet or other affected areas. To gently warm your fingers and toes:

• Get indoors or to a warmer area
• Wiggle your fingers and toes
• Place hands under armpits
• Make wide circles (windmills) with your arms
• Run warm — not hot — water over your fingers and toes
• Massage your hands and feet

If stress triggers an attack, get out of the stressful situation and relax. Practice a stress-relieving technique that works for you, and warm your hands or feet in water to help lessen the attack.