The ITV favourite revealed she had been privately dealing with the condition for 20 years, but decided to open up after sharp-eyed fans spotted something concerning in one of her photos.
One of Coronation Street’s most cherished stars has revealed she has been quietly battling a secret condition for two decades. The disclosure came after fans became concerned when they noticed a strange detail in one of her recent photos.
Samia Longchambon, 43, best known for her role as Maria Connor on Corrie, has played through numerous health-related storylines over the years. Yet, few viewers knew that she was facing her own challenges behind the scenes.
The actress has now opened up about how much the condition affects her daily life. She was careful to reassure fans that she is doing okay, though she admitted she will likely be avoiding the supermarket’s frozen aisles for her own well-being.
Samia first sparked concern when she shared a photo on Instagram showing her fingers turning white at the tips. Fans quickly worried about her well-being, prompting her to reveal her long-hidden health issue, according to The Sun.
She later confirmed that she has Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition that limits blood flow to the body’s extremities, particularly the fingers and toes. Taking to social media, she thanked her followers for their concern and shared more about her experience with the condition.
“Seems many of you have the same thing, and lots are asking for tips on how to manage it,” Samia wrote. “I’ve had it for about 20 years now. It’s not dangerous — it’s called Raynaud’s disease. When I get too cold, a couple of my fingers go numb and I lose feeling in them.”
“It doesn’t last long, but it can be a little painful when the blood returns,” she explained. “For me, it’s usually just my fingers, so it’s fairly mild, but I know it can affect toes in some people as well.”
Offering advice to her followers on managing the condition, Samia recommended staying as warm as possible to prevent symptoms rather than trying to treat them after they appear. “Wear gloves when it’s cold — hand warmers are my best friend in winter,” she shared.
She also suggested that consuming foods or drinks containing ginger can help, thanks to its circulation-boosting properties. Additionally, she encouraged those affected to move their fingers and toes regularly to stimulate blood flow and keep circulation steady.
However, Samia stressed that she is not a medical professional and advised anyone with further questions to consult their GP. She did, however, take the situation in stride, joking, “Even going down the freezer aisle in a supermarket can trigger mine.”
Samia isn’t the first well-known ITV star to be diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease. Fellow soap actress Michelle Hardwick also shared her experience with the condition. Commenting on Samia’s post, Michelle revealed that she first noticed the symptoms at the age of 10 while playing netball.
After spotting the initial signs, she underwent testing and was later officially diagnosed with Raynaud’s. Michelle, who portrays Vanessa in Emmerdale, described it as a blessing in disguise, joking, “Thank goodness for hand warmers in that Emmerdale village.”
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