The weather has been exceptionally cold lately, and chances are your hands have been freezing. But when should you start to worry?

If you find that no matter what you do, your hands or feet remain cold and your fingers turn a pale white, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue.

Are you someone who wears gloves in the office, constantly asking your boss to turn down the AC even in the middle of summer? Or maybe you find yourself huddled next to the radiator at home, struggling to warm your hands?

Some people turn to warm drinks or heated gloves in an attempt to stay warm, but the cause could go beyond just the cold air.

This condition is called Raynaud’s disease, which occurs when the small blood vessels in your skin constrict, restricting blood flow. This narrowing of the vessels is known as vasospasm.

While it might look odd, it can also cause discomfort, numbness, and a prickling, tingling sensation.

It’s sometimes called Raynaud’s phenomenon or Raynaud syndrome, but they all refer to the same condition. Interestingly, women are more likely to experience it than men.