Raynaud’s phenomenon (or Raynaud’s disease) is a condition causing some areas of the body to feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or stress. Women are more commonly affected, with about one in 20 people experiencing Raynaud’s phenomenon at some stage in their lives. It is also more common in colder climates. Raynauds is caused by temporary disruption to blood flow in small blood vessels in the extremities. You are mostly likely to get Raynauds in your fingers, toes, tip of the nose, lips and ears. It causes the skin to turn blue and feel numb and cold. When the episode is over, blood rushes back to the area and makes it tingle and throb. Most people with this condition have primary Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is often mild and does not have a clear underlying cause. Some people have secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon where there is an underlying cause such as an autoimmune disease. To read more about this condition visit https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/raynauds-phenomenon