When temperatures drop, it’s normal for your hands to feel chilly. But if you notice your fingers turning pale white no matter how much you try to warm them up, it might be more than just the cold.
Do you find yourself constantly wearing gloves indoors, begging your boss to lower the air conditioning even in the middle of summer? Or maybe you’re always huddled next to a heater at home, struggling to get your hands warm again?
For many, reaching for a hot drink or heated gloves is the go-to fix. But if your fingers keep turning white and feeling numb or tingly, the cause could be a condition called Raynaud’s disease.
Raynaud’s occurs when tiny blood vessels in your skin suddenly constrict — a process called vasospasm — drastically reducing blood flow to your fingers (and sometimes toes). This not only changes their color but can also cause discomfort, numbness, and that strange prickling sensation.
Also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon or Raynaud syndrome, this condition is surprisingly common, especially among women. If you’re experiencing these symptoms frequently, it might be time to pay closer attention to what your body is telling you.