Exams and Tests

Because an attack of Raynaud's phenomenon ends quickly, your health professional most often will determine whether you have Raynaud's phenomenon by your description of your symptoms. Your health professional will review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and do blood tests or other tests to rule out a secondary cause of Raynaud's phenomenon. If possible, you may want to take a color photograph of your hands when you are having symptoms to bring to your appointment.

A rheumatologist or dermatologist may examine the small blood vessels (capillaries) at the base of your fingernails using a small magnifying lens. Known as "capillaroscopy," this simple examination may help distinguish between primary Raynaud's and secondary Raynaud's that is part of a connective tissue disease such as lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.