Raynaud's in children

Having a child diagnosed with Raynaud's phenomenon is worrying, but be reassured that it is usually a mild and manageable condition.

In teenagers, Raynaud's is very common, often presenting around puberty. Symptoms do seem to improve as they get older – this may be down to treatment, adjustment in lifestyle or hormonal changes, especially in adolescence.

Babies and young children can also develop Raynaud's, although it is rare. For many young children diagnosed with Raynaud's, it is little more than a nuisance. But as it isn't a common disease at this stage in life, it is always best to ask your doctor for further tests to rule out an underlying cause.

Managing Raynaud's symptoms in children

Here are some tips on coping with Raynaud's in children and young people:

• Try to prevent an attack by avoiding changes in temperature and cold environments.
• Make sure your child wears lots of layers to keep as warm as possible. Hot drinks and food can help to keep them warm.
• Make sure you tell your child's school about their Raynaud's diagnosis and how attacks can be avoided. Special allowances may need to be made during outdoor activities and PE in cold weather.
• Particular care should be taken when bathing a young child with Raynaud's as they are more susceptible to hot temperatures. It is best to fill a bath with lukewarm water and top it up with warmer water as their body adapts to it.

The advice for managing childhood Raynaud's is much the same as it is for adults, so do take a look at our managing Raynaud's page.

Read about Amy, a teenager who has had Raynaud's since early childhood.