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Am I at risk of Raynaud’s Disease?

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Raynaud’s disease (also known as Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon) affects around 5% of men and 10% of women in Australia.

Raynaud’s disease is a condition that restricts blood flow to your fingers and toes in response to cold weather or emotional stress. In rare cases, it may also affect the blood vessels in your lips, nose or ear lobes.

For most people, simple lifestyle changes, like avoiding cold environments, is enough to keep symptoms under control. In severe cases, recurrent attacks can lead to skin sores or gangrene (when cells and tissue die from a lack of blood flow). Your treatment will depend on the severity of your condition and whether it is the primary or secondary form.

What are the different types of Raynaud’s disease?

  • Raynaud’s disease (or Primary Raynaud’s syndrome) is the more common form of this condition and is not linked to any underlying illness. The symptoms are often so mild that it does not require medical treatment.
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon (or Secondary Raynaud’s syndrome) results from another medical condition or exposure to occupational risk factors. It is a condition that attacks your body’s connective tissues, similar to autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Raynaud’s phenomenon is less common, but it is more likely to cause serious health problems, such as loss of touch and gangrene. Raynaud’s phenomenon can arise due to an occupational cause (such as exposure to vinyl chloride, cold environments or vibrating hand tools).

The remainder of this blog focuses on Raynaud’s phenomenon (or Secondary Raynaud’s syndrome).

Can my workplace cause Raynaud’s phenomenon?

The following describes occupational risk factors that drastically increase your risk of developing Raynaud’s phenomenon:

Vibrations

There are two forms of occupational exposure to vibrations: localized and full-body vibration. Localized vibration is transmitted to the hands and arms and can cause injury to the upper limbs, leading to the development of Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Raynaud’s phenomenon has a well-established occupational link with exposure to localized vibrations. The injuries of the upper limbs associated with this type of exposure are called ‘hand-arm vibration syndrome.’ Hand-arm vibration syndrome refers to an industrial injury caused by the long-term use of vibrating hand-held machinery.

Symptoms:

  • Loss of touch sensation
  • Loss of strength in hands
  • Tingling and numbness in fingers
  • Fingers turning white (blanching), and becoming red and painful upon recovery

Blanching symptoms tend to improve following withdrawal from exposure. However, with continued exposure to vibration, loss of hand functions (i.e., loss of touch and strength) are usually irreversible.

At-risk occupations:

Occupational exposure to localized vibrations mainly arises from jobs that require the use of the following tools:

  • Hammers
  • Crushers
  • Polishers
  • Sanders
  • Grinders
  • Drills
  • Lawnmowers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers
  • Chainsaws
  • Concrete breakers
  • Scabblers or needle guns

The following lists common industries that may put you at increased risk of developing Raynaud’s phenomenon:

  • Construction workers
  • Foundry workers
  • Heavy engineering
  • Estate management (maintenance of grounds, parks, water systems and roads)
  • Forestry workers
  • Manufacturing concrete products
  • Mines and quarries
  • Building and maintenance of roads and railways
  • Motor vehicle manufacture and repair workers
  • Public utilities (i.e., water, gas, electricity, telecommunications)
  • Shipbuilding and repair

Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride is a volatile industrial chemical that is quickly absorbed through the lungs and processed by the liver. It is used to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is widely used in the plastic industry.

Prior to the 1970s, workers were commonly exposed to high concentrations of vinyl chloride in their work environments. During this time, ‘vinyl chloride disease’ was used to describe cases of Raynaud’s phenomenon. However, industries progressively reduced workers’ exposure to vinyl chloride due to the recognition of its close link with cancer development. Since 1979, vinyl chloride has been considered by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a human carcinogen (Group 1).

Symptoms:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Loss of muscle control (ataxia)
  • Fatigue
  • Numbness and tingling of fingers and toes

Sources of Occupational Exposure:

  • Plastics industry
  • Manufacturing facilities where PVC is produced
  • Building and construction industry
  • Wire and cable insulation
  • Automobile industry

Cold Environments

It is well known that cold temperatures are an aggravating factor of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Individuals with Raynaud’s phenomenon are at an increased risk of developing frostbite when exposed to low temperatures. Following frostbite, the affected limb may remain sensitive to cold, manifesting Raynaud’s phenomenon symptoms. Avoiding exposure to the cold is an essential measure for the management of Raynaud’s phenomenon.

At-risk Occupations:

  • Farmers who work in cold climates
  • Cold storage facilities
  • Construction workers
  • Fishing industry workers
  • Forestry workers
  • Warehouse workers

What can I do to protect myself at work?

There is no known cure for Raynaud’s phenomenon. Managing this condition involves avoiding known triggers, such as cold environments and stressors.

The following measures are recommended to reduce the risk of a Raynaud’s attack:

  •  Avoid prolonged exposure to cold environment and sudden temperature changes.
  • Avoid or reduce smoking and consumption of caffeinated beverages. Nicotine and caffeine constrict blood vessels and exacerbate Raynaud’s symptoms.
  • It is important that you keep your hands and feet warm. Many types of gloves help maintain body warmth, and some designs may buffer vibration from handheld machinery.

It is important that you consult your general practitioner for tailored advice on measures to prevent or reduce the severity of an attack.

Am I eligible for WorkCover compensation?

A worker diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon may be entitled to WorkCover compensation based on the nature of their (current or former) employment.

It must be shown that the nature of your employment significantly increased the risk of you developing Raynaud’s phenomenon, rather than you proving that your current or past employment with a specific employer is the actual cause.

A worker diagnosed with an occupational disease may be entitled to claim WorkCover compensation for:

What do I do if I think I have Raynaud’s phenomenon?

If you think you have Raynaud’s phenomenon, you should see your general practitioner or specialist to determine if you have any conditions or diseases that may be due to the nature of your employment.

It is important that you give an occupational history.

Given that the period between exposure and the onset of symptoms can be lengthy, early preventative measures and detection is recommended. We also recommend that you contact our legal team who can help support you through this process.