Fingers / toes turn purplish-red when in the cold

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Palpitation

• Palpitations (irregular)

• Numbness / sensory disorder

• Alternating diarrhea and constipation

• Difficulty breathing / breathlessness

• Fainting with loss of consciousness

• Recent weight loss

• Peripheral cyanosis

• Gross hematuria

• Dysphagia

• Raynaud's disease

  This is a disorder of unknown origin where there is decreased blood flow to the fingers from blood vessel spasm. Initially, the fingers turn pale when exposed to the cold, then subsequently becomes swollen, painful and red when warmed.

• Sjogren syndrome

  An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the organs that produce tears and saliva. This results in dry eyes and dry mouth. In some cases, the internal organs can also be gradually affected.

• Polymyositis / dermatomyositis

  These are inflammatory conditions of the connective tissues of the body. Muscle fibres become inflamed, resulting in weakness. In dermatomyositis, the skin is involved as well, causing a characteristic rash. There is no clear cause for these conditions.

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Mixed connective tissue disease
• Scleroderma
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Vasculitis syndrome (including cryoglobulinemia)
• Eosinophilic Fasciitis

• Acute hepatitis

  Sudden inflammation of the liver with many causes including alcohol and infections.