This February, Raynaud’s Awareness Month, the charity Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) will be raising awareness of the potentially devastating impact the UK’s cost of living crisis is having on people with Raynaud’s and asking those with the condition to share their stories.
For people with Raynaud’s, cold temperatures and stress trigger painful attacks. This is when the blood temporarily stops flowing to the body’s extremities, most commonly the hands and feet.
These attacks can happen without warning and affect fine motor skills, making simple everyday tasks almost impossible.
In more severe cases, they can affect a person’s independence – things like cooking, washing utensils, bathing, walking and driving can become much more difficult – and leave them in immense pain. Well-known names, including Davina McCall, Jenni Falconer and Louise Minchin, all live with this chronic condition.
Raynaud’s cannot be cured, but the risk of attacks can be minimised. One of the best ways to prevent them is to keep your body warm, but SRUK warns that many are struggling because of high energy prices and it is jeopardising their health and wellbeing. A survey by the charity towards the end of last year found that some are even choosing to buy less food to prioritise their energy bills.
During February, the charity will be encouraging people with Raynaud’s to write to their MPs and share their stories to raise awareness of the issue. SRUK will also be calling on the government and energy companies to help find a solution.
