If your hands or feet change color when exposed to cold, the change might indicate a serious health problem that experts advise you not to ignore.

When the weather lowers, it’s normal to feel chilly. If your hands and feet turn white, blue, or purple in the cold, you may have more than just winter pain.

According to Dr. James O’Donovan, who provides medical advice to his over 400,000 YouTube subscribers, the culprit might be Raynaud’s disease, a condition that causes specific parts of the body to become numb in reaction to cold weather or stress.

“In Raynaud’s disease the smaller arteries that supply blood to the skin narrow in response to triggers like cold weather; this limits blood flow to the affected areas, which is called vasospasm, and it then results in symptoms of Raynaud’s,” he said in the video he uploaded to YouTube.

Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, the affected skin usually turns pale at first, then changes color before becoming cold and numb.

Among the symptoms are:

You may have cold toes or fingers.

Skin patches turn white, then blue. Depending on your skin tone, these color changes may be difficult or simple to see.

Warming or stress reduction reduces numbness, prickly sensations, or stinging discomfort.

According to Dr. O’Donovan, “The first thing that you’re likely to notice in terms of signs and symptoms are the areas of your skin that can turn white then blue, depending on your skin color.”

“These color changes may be harder or easier to see; you may also notice that you’ve got particularly cold fingers or toes, or you might notice other changes in the sensation of your hands or feet, like a numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain.”

He explains that while research has yet to discover what causes this, it normally goes away as the hands and/or feet warm up again.

“As the skin warms and blood flow improves, affected areas may change color, throb, tingle, or swell.” He added that numbness or color change can also occur in the nose, lips, and ears.

Raynaud’s Types

Raynaud’s disease is primary or secondary. Both types cause your fingers and toes to turn blue in the cold, but they differ in some ways.

Primary Raynaud’s disease: This condition is the most frequent and usually mild variant. It occurs on its own, without being associated with another medical issue. Many people with primary Raynaud’s rarely notice their symptoms and never require therapy. In other cases, it even vanishes over time.

Secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon: This type is less common but usually more severe since it is caused by an underlying medical condition such as a nerve disorder, vascular disease, or autoimmune sickness. In contrast to primary Raynaud’s disease, secondary Raynaud’s illness may necessitate medical intervention to avert complications.

When to Consult a Physician

O’Donovan recommends visiting a doctor if:

Only one side of the body experiences symptoms.

You also have muscular weakness, skin rashes, and joint discomfort.

Toes and fingers stay stained for a long time.

You experience agonizing pain, open sores, or infection symptoms.

You have a history of autoimmune disorders, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.

Your health should always come first, and you should consult your doctor if you suspect something is wrong. Please share this article so that others know what to watch out for!