Experiencing cold hands and feet might be typical during the winter months, but in some cases, it could indicate a condition known as Raynaud’s.
Raynaud’s occurs when blood flow to the fingers and toes is restricted. Although this condition is fairly common and often benign, it can sometimes be a sign of more serious issues like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
For some individuals, managing Raynaud’s symptoms may require daily medication, while others might only need treatment as a preventative measure when temperatures drop.
While it’s natural to feel a chill in your extremities during winter, Raynaud’s intensifies the body’s response to cold, significantly affecting circulation to the hands and feet.
The main difference between a standard cold response and Raynaud’s lies in the change of hand color.
With Raynaud’s, fingertips may turn white or blue due to reduced blood flow, often accompanied by discomfort, tingling, or numbness, as noted by the NHS.
Most people might experience these symptoms when exposed to extremely cold weather, but they should return to normal after a few minutes in a warmer environment.
People with Raynaud’s may start to notice these symptoms even before the temperatures plummet and will take a longer time to reverse the symptoms. It can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours as circulation returns.
Some people with Raynaud’s also experience these symptoms on their ears, nose, lips or nipples.
The NHS recommends people consult their GP if they experience any of the following:
- Symptoms of Raynaud’s that are very bad or getting worse
- Raynaud’s is affecting your daily life
- Symptoms on just one side of the body
- Joint pain, skin rashes or muscle weakness along with Raynaud’s symptoms
- Over 30 years old and get symptoms of Raynaud’s for the first time
- Child under 12 years old with symptoms of Raynaud’s
The health service recommends people with these symptoms avoid smoking to improve their circulation as well as caffeine which is a known trigger for the condition.
Patients with Raynaud’s are advised to keep themselves and their homes warm to prevent their symptoms. Regular exercise can also improve circulation which may help with the condition.
