What to do if…
a finger or toe suddenly becomes cold, pale or blue and painful

What to do now

1. Call 911 for emergency features. Call now if the pain is severe or rapidly worsening, the discoloration is rapidly worsening, the digit is numb or weak, you cannot move it normally, or the whole hand or foot feels cold or looks pale.
2. Get urgent in-person care if the symptoms are new or do not settle. If there are no 911 features but the finger or toe stays cold, painful, pale, or blue, or is not returning to its usual color with gentle warmth, go to an emergency department now. If this is a familiar mild episode that fully settles with gentle warming, follow your clinician’s usual plan. Seek medical advice if the pattern changes, episodes become more painful, or the color does not return to normal.
3. Remove constriction early. Take off rings before swelling develops. Loosen shoes, socks, or anything tight around an affected toe or foot.
4. Warm gently. Move into a warm room, use a jacket or blanket, and keep your whole body comfortably warm. Place the affected finger or toe in a warm place or use warm, not hot, water. Do not delay urgent care to keep trying home warming if the pain or color change worsens or does not improve.
5. Note the start time if this does not delay care. A quick photo in normal lighting may also help show the change to a clinician.
6. Tell the clinician the key details. Say when it started, whether it is new or familiar, whether it followed cold exposure, stress, or injury, and whether you have Raynaud phenomenon, diabetes, vascular disease, an irregular heartbeat, a clotting disorder, or a history of clots. Bring or list your medicines.