What is the difference?

[Rookley]

What is the difference between Raynaud's and Scleroderma? please

[Rp321]

Raynauds is a condition where your small blood vessels / capillaries will constrict when it is cold or the temperature changes. This causes the colour changes / pain in the fingers, toes or other extremities. The colour changes vary from person to person but maybe blue, white and finially bright red.

Basically it's an over exaggerated response to the cold. I think lots of people with raynauds will experience it differently and at different severities.

Scleroderma is something completely different - someone else will have to help you there I'm afraid as I'm primary raynauds.

The two conditions can be linked - I think those with scleroderma are more likely to have raynauds - however those with primary raynauds only have a tiny tiny chance of developing something else.

I'm sure some body on here with both conditions will be far more able to give you a better differentiation between the two.

[Rookley in reply to Rp321]

Thank you for that.

[sandycharlie]

hi...I have both, I would goole it as it explains it properly.....but they are both linked to each other...what have you got?..x

[mrsqwerty11]

Hi, hv both, I was diognosed with raynauds 1st further blood test on antibodies was showing sclerederma. My raynauds is secondary to the condition of sclerederma.

[Irene55]

You can get good information from the Scleroderma Society: sclerodermasociety.co.uk/

Raynauds and Scleroderma Association

raynauds.org.uk/

[AHM42]

Raynaud's which affects approx. 10 million people in the UK can be a disease entity in itself or can in some cases be linked to underlying conditions such as scleroderma. This however is quite rare. A simple blood test can help to confirm or eliminate if scleroderma is present. The blood test would be looking for anti nuclear antibodies - (anti nuclear or anti centromere) also Scl70. If they are positive then further tests will usually be done to ascertain the situation and which aspects of the condition may be present. If negative then it is usually Primary Raynaud's which can vary very much in severity - ie mild to severe.

Scleroderma is an auto immune connective tissue disease. the RSA website describes both conditions in detail. raynauds.org.uk

If you would like to speak to someone about these conditions call 01270 872776 and leave your phone number and I will call you back.

Hope this is helpful.

Anne - Welfare Officer RSA