recurrent vasospasm of fingers and toes (may also affect ears, tip of nose) resulting in pallor, cyanosis, then erythema and a sense of fullness, in response to cold exposure
80-90% are “primary Raynaud's disease”
young female patients who have had Raynaud phenomenon alone for more than 2 years and have not developed any additional manifestations are at low risk for developing an autoimmune disease.1)
prevalance in Caucasians: 11% of women and 8% of men