Winter weather brings cold temperatures, but some people feel the chill more than others.
If you suffer from Raynaud’s syndrome – also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon – your hands and feet can feel like blocks of ice.
However, adding spicy foods, like chilli peppers or a curry, to your diet can help.
In the UK, one in three people – or ten million – have the condition, making it just as common as arthritis or hay fever.
The cold weather can trigger a Raynaud’s attack, when the blood supply to fingers and toes is interrupted in response to changes in temperature or emotional stress.
It can cause numbness and tingling in fingers and toes, making them turn white, blue and then red.
This can be very painful, making everyday tasks like buttoning up a coat difficult.
Upon warming, sufferers may experience a stinging or throbbing pain.
However, changing your diet could help relieve symptoms.
Eating ginger, garlic and spicy foods are thought to help, and taking a herbal remedy, such as Padma Circosan, can stimulate blood circulation.
In contrast, caffeine, alcohol and smoking may damage circulation.
Exercising or being active on a cold day could similarly help improve blood flow.
Because even the slightest change in temperature can trigger an attack, avoiding spending too much time in areas where temperatures often fluctuate, like a supermarket, can help.
Additionally, wrapping up warm by layering thin clothes, and avoiding touching cold items is recommended.
Stress and anxiety can also bring on an attack, meaning that learning relaxation techniques is often advised.
If you’re unsure whether you have Raynaud’s, or if you’re just feeling a bit cold, keep a note of what seems to be triggering your discomfort.