Treatment for Raynaud’s Disease in Birmingham
If your fingers or toes frequently feel numb, painfully cold or change colour during cold weather, then this could be Raynaud’s disease. At The Oakley Medical Practice, we offer doctor-led Raynaud’s disease treatment in Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield. Our private GPs provide fast access to assessment, medication and targeted injections for Raynaud’s in hands and feet. You’ll be seen by a doctor who listens and can offer practical advice to treat and manage your Raynaud’s symptoms.
If your cold hands and feet are affecting your daily life, book a consultation with our medical experts; we offer quicker waiting times and longer appointments.
What is Raynaud’s?
Raynaud’s is a condition that causes decreased blood flow to your fingers and toes when you’re exposed to cold, stress or sudden changes in temperature. This limits blood flow, causing the familiar sequence of white, blue and red colour changes, alongside numbness, tingling and pain, especially as blood flow returns.
Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) estimates that around 10 million people in the UK live with Raynaud’s, meaning it’s far more common than many realise. Many people dismiss these episodes as “poor circulation”, but Raynaud’s can impact day-to-day comfort, sleep and your ability to carry out simple tasks.
What is primary Raynaud’s disease?
Primary Raynaud’s disease is the most common type, not caused by another medical condition. This form usually affects young women in their teens and twenties. In these cases, the main issue is discomfort from cold, achy fingers that make certain tasks harder unless the individual stays warm.
What is secondary Raynaud’s disease?
Secondary Raynaud’s is less common and can occur primarily due to an underlying connective tissue condition, such as scleroderma or lupus. This type can be more severe, sometimes leading to fingertip ulcers. If you notice new Raynaud’s symptoms after age 30, seeking medical advice is important.
Recognising Symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease
The first symptoms of Raynaud’s disease that you may notice are distinct changes in skin colour. Your fingers can look as though they’ve been dipped in white or blue ink.
Raynaud’s disease symptoms often include:
- Fingers or toes that turn white and then blue and then red
- Coldness, numbness or tingling in the affected areas
- Pain, burning or stinging sensations as circulation returns
- Slow recovery of normal colour, sometimes taking 10 to 20 minutes
While this condition most commonly affects the fingers, Raynaud’s can also affect the feet, nose, lips and ears.
How We Manage and Treat Raynaud’s Disease
At The Oakley Medical Practice, Raynaud’s disease treatment begins with an in-depth consultation so we can understand how the condition affects your life.
- Initial Consultation:
You will visit our private practice for a consultation with our doctor, who will listen to your symptoms, concerns and triggers. We assess your medical history and examine your affected areas, whether you experience Raynaud’s in your hands or feet. In this consultation, we can also decide whether blood tests are needed to look for underlying conditions associated with secondary Raynaud’s disease.
Medication Where Helpful:
Based on your consultation, we will decide the best treatment plan for you. Our doctor can prescribe oral medication for Raynaud’s. Medication is always tailored to the patient and reviewed regularly.
Targeted Injections for Raynaud’s:
Our specialist doctor can use targeted injections that relax the blood vessel muscles in the affected areas, improving circulation without affecting overall blood pressure. This type of treatment can help relieve pain and reduce attacks. Many patients find this treatment life-changing, especially as having Raynaud’s in your hands can make daily activities difficult.
Specialist referral when needed:
If your symptoms suggest secondary Raynaud’s or if there are ulcers or severe pain, we arrange a fast referral to rheumatology, vascular or hand specialists for further management.
Risk factors for secondary Raynaud’s:
- Autoimmune or connective tissue disease
- Jobs using vibrating tools or repeated hand trauma, which can damage blood vessels (e.g., jackhammer)
- Smoking
- Medications that affect blood vessels
- Exposure to industrial chemicals
Why Choose The Oakley Medical Practice?
Our CQC-registered private GP service offers fast, accessible and personalised care. You’re never rushed, and you’ll always have the time to talk through your symptoms properly. We understand how exhausting and painful Raynaud’s can be and we provide evidence-based treatments and guidance.
Dr David Eccleston
Dr David Eccleston, founder and clinical director of The Oakley Medical Practice, is a recognised expert in the use of injectable treatments. With over two decades of experience as a senior GP in Birmingham, he has helped many patients and can also prescribe medication for Raynaud’s.
Dr Eccleston teaches advanced injection techniques internationally and contributes to research and education through his membership in respected medical organisations, including:
- GMC
- The British Association of Cosmetic Doctors
- The British College of Aesthetic Medicine
- The Allergan Medical Advisory Board.
Our patients benefit from Dr Eccleston’s medical expertise and precision. His approach combines advanced knowledge with genuine care, assessing you Raynaud’s disease symptoms and creating tailored treatment plans that help people regain their quality of life.
Treatment for Raynaud’s Syndrome in Sutton Coldfield
At The Oakley Medical Practice, we based in Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham offering access to our doctors, who can:
- Assess Raynaud’s disease symptoms
- Arrange relevant tests
- Discuss all treatment options
As a private GP service, we offer longer appointment times and direct access to highly experienced doctors who specialise in conditions affecting circulation.
If you’re struggling with Raynaud’s symptoms, worried about secondary Raynaud’s or simply want a more proactive and attentive level of care, we can help. Book your consultation at The Oakley Medical Practice and receive doctor-led support without long waiting times. Our clinic address is:
The Oakley Medical Practice
52 Bishops Way
Sutton Coldfield
B74 4XS
For bookings or enquiries, please contact our reception at 0121 368 8104
Or, you can fill out our online enquiry form below, and a member of our team will review your enquiry and get back to you shortly. All messages are handled in strict confidence, and we’ll help you arrange the right appointment at a time that suits you.
Enquiry Form
FAQs
Your fingers turn white or blue when cold due to Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition where blood vessels in the fingers go into spasm and restrict blood flow. It’s categorised as an ‘episodic vasospasm’. ‘Episodic’ just means that the symptoms occur intermittently rather than all the time. If you’re also experiencing pain or numbness along with these colour changes, then it’s best to seek medical advice from a doctor or GP.
It’s completely normal for hands and feet to feel cold in chilly environments — it’s simply your body protecting vital organs by reducing blood flow to the fingers and toes. However, if this happens frequently and you also notice your skin turning white or blue or you experience pain, tingling or numbness, these may be signs of Raynaud’s disease. In this situation, it’s important to speak to a doctor who can confirm whether Raynaud’s is present. They’ll be able to advise on the appropriate treatment, as the condition can sometimes be linked to other underlying health issues.
The exact cause of Raynaud’s isn’t fully understood, but experts believe the small blood vessels in the hands and feet overreact to cold temperatures or emotional stress. This reaction causes the vessels to narrow suddenly, reducing blood flow and triggering colour changes, numbness and pain. Secondary Raynaud’s develops when this reaction is linked to another condition. Causes of secondary Raynaud’s include:
- Connective tissue diseases (scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Diseases of the arteries
- High blood pressure affecting lung arteries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Repeated actions or vibrations
- Smoking
- Injuries to hands or feet (fractures, frostbite)
- Certain medications (beta-blockers)
Raynaud’s in the hands is caused by blood vessels constricting or shrinking, which means the fingers don’t get enough blood supply. This leads to pain and discolouration of your fingertips. The most common cause of this is a response to cold temperatures, either by being out in the cold or just by holding a cold drink. If you’re experiencing this regularly, our private GPs can help you get it under control.
At the Oakley Medical Practice we can treat Raynaud’s symptoms in the hands using a series of small injections into the fingers to relax the blood vessels. This helps keep those vessels nice and open to allow good blood flow to the fingertips. We can do multiple injections in the fingers around each specific blood vessel, and this approach can also help with Raynaud’s in the feet.
Raynaud’s disease, Raynaud’s syndrome and Raynaud’s phenomenon all describe the same type of circulation problem. This is where the blood vessels in your fingers or toes suddenly tighten, causing colour changes, numbness and pain.
- Raynaud’s disease (primary Raynaud’s)
This is the most common type. It happens on its own, without being linked to any other medical condition.
- Raynaud’s syndrome (secondary Raynaud’s)
This is caused by another underlying health condition, most often an autoimmune or connective tissue disorder.
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
This is a general umbrella term for the condition as a whole. It refers to the blood vessel spasm that reduces blood flow to the fingers or toes, regardless of the cause.
Yes, treatments are available that help improve blood flow and reduce the frequency and severity of Raynaud’s attacks. These may include lifestyle changes, such as dressing warmly, avoiding stress and wearing gloves to handle cold items. Oral medication and targeted injections can help the vessels stay open and maintain better circulation. These options are typically considered when symptoms are severe, persistent or not improving with lifestyle changes.
To keep your hands warm, if you suffer from Raynaud’s, keep your fingers moving to help restore circulation. You could also try massaging your hands or feet. If you’re outside, then putting your hands into your armpits can warm them up nicely. If you’re inside, try warming them up slowly using warm water. Don’t use water that’s too hot though, as this can be painful. Gloves using silver thread have been found to be particularly helpful in Raynaud’s. You can also buy rechargeable electrically heated gloves, which are good for a few hours and, also hand warmer power packs.
Most people can manage their Raynaud’s symptoms by avoiding triggers and keeping their body warm. Helpful strategies include:
- Dressing warmly when outdoors by using hats, scarves, socks, boots and layered gloves or mittens.
- Thermal underwear and coats with tight cuffs.
- Wearing ear muffs or a face covering if your nose or ears get very cold.
- Warm your car before driving in cold weather.
- Indoors, wear socks and consider mittens when handling cold items.
- Set air conditioning slightly warmer to avoid triggering symptoms.
Yes, hand injections intended to support circulation can be a safe and effective option for people whose Raynaud’s symptoms are affecting daily life. These treatments are usually offered after a consultation with a clinician or doctor who can determine whether you’re suitable. This is based on your medical history, symptoms and whether your Raynaud’s is primary or secondary.
It’s important to speak to a doctor if your Raynaud’s symptoms are severe, worsening or starting to interfere with day-to-day tasks. In these cases, medication to improve circulation may be recommended. Further tests may be arranged to check for conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis that can sometimes sit behind secondary Raynaud’s.
You should seek medical advice if:
- Symptoms are severe or getting worse
- Raynaud’s affects your daily life
- Symptoms occur only on one side of the body
- You have joint pain, rashes, or muscle weakness
- You’re over 30 and experiencing Raynaud’s symptoms for the first time
- A child under 12 shows symptoms
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are part of primary Raynaud’s or linked to another condition, visit us at The Oakley Medical Practice in Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham. At our private clinic, we offer clear assessments and treatments for Raynaud’s disease.
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