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Having Raynaud's disease is not the same as frequently having cold hands or fingers.

During a Raynaud's attack:¹

• Some or all of your fingers suddenly go white
• Your toes, ear lobes and nose (and more rarely your tongue and nipples) may also go white
• Your fingers will feel cold, may tingle and feel numb or painful
• Because your fingers aren't getting any oxygen, they may then turn blue
• As the blood returns to your fingers, they turn very red and may throb and hurt.

The attack can last for anything from a few minutes up to a few hours. It depends on how quickly your fingers get warm again.

Raynaud's can be very unsettling and worrying, but it is usually not serious and the symptoms should disappear completely after each attack.

Some people get ulcers on their fingers and toes but this is rare. If your attacks are very bad and you get symptoms such as ulcers, then a more serious medical problem may be causing the attacks and you should see your doctor right away.²

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.