Unlocking the Challenge of Raynaud’s Phenomenon: From Mechanism to Management’

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Summary: 

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a common episodic circulatory disorder triggered by cold exposure, temperature changes, or emotional stress. It typically affects the extremities, leading to transient vasospasm. Despite often being perceived as a minor condition, RP can significantly impair daily function and occupational performance.
In the working population, symptoms such as impaired grip strength, difficulty with fine motor tasks, reduced sensitivity with footing, numbness, pain, and delayed recovery of hand dexterity contribute to reduced productivity and, in some sectors, genuine safety risks.
Given the high prevalence of RP in the general population—and the even higher prevalence in certain occupational groups, there is a clear unmet need for early identification, targeted intervention, and specialist management pathways.
In this session, we will explore:
•The underlying physiology of digital vasospasm
•Primary vs. secondary Raynaud’s and their causes
•Mechanisms driving functional impairment
•Evidence-based management strategies, from lifestyle and workplace adjustments to pharmacological options
Finally, we will outline how our dedicated Raynaud’s Phenomenon Clinic addresses this unmet need by providing rapid assessment, tailored treatment plans, and integrated support for patients whose symptoms impact daily living and work performance.

Bios:
Louise Parker RN, BSc (Hons) MSc, NIP – Independent Nurse Consultant
Ms Parker is an international nursing expert in Raynaud’s phenomenon, connective tissue disease and wider long-term condition management, with over two decades of experience in the healthcare sector.
She was the Lead Nurse for Specialist Practice at the prestigious rheumatology and connective tissue disease department at the Royal Free London NHSFT for 15 years and has worked in this speciality for over 20 years. Her experience includes highly specialised training in managing Raynaud’s phenomenon, systemic sclerosis, connective tissue disease related dermatological disorders and overlap syndromes.
Ms Parker undertook all her academic nursing training at Kings College London and clinical training at Guys & St Thomas’ Hospitals London NHSFT. She has contributed to departmental research and audit, has published nursing articles, posters, book chapters and presents nationally and internationally.
She is a full term past Chair of the Royal College of Nursing Rheumatology Forum and continues to advise and speak on a range of national projects and consults widely on clinical and professional matters. From 2023 - 2024, Ms Parker was the inaugural
specialist nurse invited on to the board of Trustees by the British Society of Rheumatology and remains an active member.
In 2024, Ms Parker and Dr Kevin Howell founded the Raynaud’s Clinic; having run this clinic jointly previously at The Royal Free London NHSFT. This has enabled them to continue to use their highly specialised skill set, for patients seeking a prompt diagnosis.
Their consulting practice is distinguished by its patient-centric approach and years of practice in managing Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Dr Kevin Howell BSc, MSc, PhD, MIPEM, CSci, ASIS, FRPS – Clinical Scientist
Dr Howell is a Clinical Scientist with over three decades of experience in microvascular diagnostics. From 1992 to 2023, he led the Microvascular Diagnostics service at the Royal Free Hospital, where he played a pivotal role in advancing imaging techniques for connective tissue diseases.
He is an Accredited Senior Imaging Scientist and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, as well as the current President of the European Association of Thermology. Dr Howell is also a longstanding member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), having served two terms on the Physiological Measurement Special Interest Group Committee.
In 2009, he was awarded a PhD from the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales) for his research on the application of thermal imaging in rheumatology. His work has contributed significantly to the understanding and use of advanced imaging in clinical practice.
Dr Howell is highly experienced in nailfold capillaroscopy imaging for the assessment of connective tissue diseases and is actively involved in training and education. He regularly contributes to professional development initiatives, including the British Society for Rheumatology’s course on nailfold capillaroscopy.

Chair: Dr Ian Lawson

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