Dr. James O’Donovan, a health and aging specialist, warns of the characteristic signs of the syndrome:
Color change : the skin changes from white to blue, then sometimes to red when warming.
Sensation of intense cold in the fingers or toes.
Numbness, tingling, or even temporary loss of sensation.
Sometimes other areas may be affected: the nose, lips or ears .
For most people, these symptoms are mild—unpleasant but not serious. However, in some cases, they can indicate a more serious health problem.
When should you worry?
Raynaud’s syndrome is not always an isolated condition. It can be secondary to other diseases , particularly autoimmune diseases (such as scleroderma or lupus). Here are the situations where a medical consultation is essential :
If symptoms are very severe or worsen over time.
If you are over 40 and this is happening for the first time.
If only one hand or foot is affected.
If you also have joint pain , a rash , or muscle weakness .
If, despite warming, an area remains pale, painful or numb for several hours .
And an often overlooked detail: a ring stuck on a swollen finger can quickly lead to complications and become a medical emergency.
