Jenni Falconer, 42, is known for her radio presenting on Heart FM. But what fans may not know is she has Raynaud’s disease.
The Scottish broadcaster posted a picture on Instagram on Thursday of her hand. But one of her fingers – her index finger – was extremely white and a completely different colour to the others.
Her caption for the snap read: “This is my hand at its most attractive…Anyone else suffer with bad circulation? #badcirculation #whathappenswhenitscold #raynauds.”
Raynaud’s is a condition that affects your blood circulation. When you are cold, anxious or stressed, your fingers and toes may change colour.
According to the NHS, symptoms can include pain, numbness, pins and needles, and difficulty moving the affected are.
Some people also find their ears, nose, lips or nipples are affected.
Symptoms may last from a few minutes to a few hours, but there are preventative methods you can take.
The NHS suggests keeping your home warm, wearing warm clothes during cold weather – especially on your hands and feet – and exercising regularly.
Breathing exercises or yoga and eating a healthy balanced diet are also recommended.
But things you should avoid are smoking, as stopping will improve your circulation, and drinking too much tea, coffee or cola, ad caffeine and other stimulants can stop you relaxing.
If your symptoms are very bad or they do get worse then you should see your GP. They may then prescribe you medicine called nifedipine to help improve your circulation.
Other circumstances where you should see a GP are if you only have numbness on one side of your body and you also have joint pain, skin rashes or muscle weakness.
If you’re over 30 and get symptoms of Raynaud’s for the first time this may also be cause for concern, as well as if your child is under 12 and has symptoms of Raynaud’s.
Fellow Raynaud’s sufferers shared their treatment recommendations on Jenni’s post.
One said: “Deep Heat helps on chilblains (probably best not on broken skin if any but if you get in early avoids it) Pharmacist recommendation years ago use as soon as you feel them starting really really helps.”
Another said: “A hot water bottle wrapped in a big towel is great. Also put a HANDS towel in the MICROWAVE for about 15 seconds and wrap the hands in them.
“Also buy the silver Raynaud’s gloves from #Amazon they truly help.”
Raynaud’s is often triggered by cold weather, and freezing temperatures can trigger a number of different health conditions.
Cold blasts could cause people with arthritis to feel as if their joints are more painful and stiff.
There’s no evidence that changes in the weather causes joint damage, but the NHS offers one explanation and a top tip to avoid such a feeling.
