Q When I go out in the cold, my hands and feet turn white, then blue, then red. Is this also just cold sensitivity?
A If your hands and feet clearly change color from white to blue to red in cold places, this is not simple cold sensitivity but could be a vascular condition like Raynaud's phenomenon, and it must be assessed by a hospital. This kind of color change is a warning sign that must be checked for safety first.
Detailed Answer
Simply having cold hands and feet is different from having them dramatically change color with cold stimulation. If your fingers or toes repeatedly go through a three-stage color change—turning pale white with cold or stress, then blue, then red again—Raynaud's phenomenon should be suspected. This can be related to other diseases like autoimmune disorders and needs hospital testing. If your hands or feet hurt, feel numb, or the skin ulcerates, seek medical care without delay.
Our Korean Medicine Clinic's Perspective
At Dongjedang, we also first check for this kind of color change at the initial visit. If Raynaud's phenomenon or a vascular condition is suspected, we first recommend medical testing, and once such causes are ruled out and it is confirmed to be functional cold sensitivity, we proceed with Korean medicine treatment to restore circulatory balance. Safety confirmation always comes first.
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