Dear Dr. Donohue: You wrote of Raynaud's disease recently. I am a woman in her 30s who suffers from it. Is early 30s too young to have the disease? Also, have you ever heard of Prozac being used for it? - Anon.

Dear Anon.: Raynaud's disease is a constriction of blood vessels of the extremities upon their exposure to cold. The vessels do that anyway, but not to the extent they do in the Raynaud's patient, for whom it is a painful experience.

The Prozac matter intrigues me. Medicines for Raynaud's disease fall into the nifedipine category, which act by countering the vessel constriction, as for angina. My search failed to turn up a reference to Prozac as Raynaud's therapy.

Prozac is an antidepressant prescribed for its calming effect. Some Raynaud's patients have reported worsening during times of emotional upset - which might be rationale for use of Prozac, to control a significant emotional trigger. I'm speculating, not endorsing.

Prevention plays a large role in Raynaud's disease. Patients learn various ways to keep warm, especially their hands and feet.

Since nicotine causes its own vessel constriction, smoking is out.

Raynaud's disease is most common in young women.

Dear Dr. Donohue: My fiance said he has foot odor and is embarrassed to remove his shoes when he gets home from work, unless the exhaust fan is on. Please tell me how to get help for him. - J.M.

Dear J.M.: Your fiance should look first to the simple answers, such as his shoes. Natural leather has the ability to allow some exchange of air.

Do his feet perspire? For that, he could try regular antiperspirants, the same kinds used for under the arms.

Your fiance might enlist help of a physician, who can prescribe more powerful antiperspirants. One of them, Drysol, has 20 percent aluminum chloride content.

Some people with annoying foot odor say Cleocin T, a prescription anti-bacterial product, works. It comes as a cream, gel or lotion. Bacteria are potent odor producers.


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