Beware of cold fingers: dangerous signs that may indicate serious illnesses requiring immediate intervention.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Sea - Follow-ups: With the rapid drop in temperatures, many feel extreme cold in their extremities, but persistent cold fingers or their unresponsiveness to warmth may indicate another problem. According to Dr. Sam Firoozi, an interventional cardiologist: "The body constricts blood vessels in the hands and feet during cold weather to maintain body heat, while the autonomic nervous system regulates blood flow between the extremities and the center through mechanisms of vasodilation and vasoconstriction." He added, "However, some bodies may show an exaggerated response to cold or to anxiety and stress, which is known as Raynaud's phenomenon, where blood stops flowing adequately to the fingers." Firoozi told The Independent, "We all feel numbness in our extremities in the cold, but if you notice a severe change in color that takes a long time to return to normal, you should consult a doctor. Permanent color change or a change in the appearance of the nails is not normal." Signs of the phenomenon include a change in the color of the fingers and toes to white or blue, then red when blood returns to them, and this may be accompanied by burning pain or a painful throbbing. Symptoms may last from minutes to hours, and may affect the ears, nose, and lips. Firoozi advised patients to monitor symptoms and photograph color changes using their phone to show them to the doctor. He also recommended using gloves, putting hands in pockets, or using small, heatable warming devices.