Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon has shared her secret health struggle, revealing she has been living with Raynaud's disease for the past twenty years.
What is Raynaud's Disease?
The 43-year-old actress, who has played Maria Connor in the ITV soap since 2000, disclosed that she has been battling the painful circulation condition for most of her time on the famous cobbles. Raynaud's phenomenon occurs when blood stops flowing properly to extremities like fingers and toes.
Samia decided to open up about her condition on Sunday after receiving numerous questions from followers. "Seems many of you have the same thing and lots are asking for tips on how to deal with it," she explained to her social media audience.
Living with Raynaud's: Symptoms and Management
The actress described how Raynaud's affects her daily life: "I've had it about 20 years now and it's not dangerous. When I get too cold a couple of my fingers go numb and I lose feeling in them."
She detailed the uncomfortable sensation when blood flow returns: "It doesn't last long but can be a bit painful when the blood returns. For me, it's usually just my fingers so it's quite mild, but I know that it can affect toes too in some people."
Samia shared her practical strategies for managing the condition, emphasising that even simple activities like shopping can trigger symptoms. "Even going down the freezer aisle in a supermarket can set mine off," she revealed.
Samia's Raynaud's Management Tips
The Coronation Street star offered several evidence-based suggestions for others living with the condition:
Keep warm: "Wear gloves when it's cold out. Hand warmers are my best friend in winter."
Dietary support: "Eat/drink anything with ginger as that's good for circulation."
Movement matters: "Keep moving my fingers to get the blood flowing again!"
Raynaud's symptoms can last from a few minutes to several hours and may also affect other body parts including ears, nose, lips or nipples. The condition is sometimes linked to other health issues, certain medications, or prolonged use of vibrating tools.
Personal Life and Background
Samia is married to husband Sylvain, with the couple exchanging vows in a fairytale wedding in August 2016. The ceremony took place at a country manor with Samia's daughter Freya as bridesmaid and their son Yves as groomsman.
The pair first met three years earlier on the set of Dancing On Ice, though their early romance was complicated by Sylvain's difficult split from Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe. The Frenchman ended his two-year relationship with Metcalfe during a Christmas Day phone call in 2012 after admitting he had developed feelings for Samia.
Samia had previously dated Coronation Street co-star Will Thorp, ending their two-year relationship in December 2012 shortly after joining Dancing on Ice. Both maintained they didn't begin dating until their respective marriages had ended.
Despite her two-decade health challenge, Samia continues to thrive both professionally and personally, demonstrating that Raynaud's disease can be managed effectively with the right approach and lifestyle adjustments.
