Samia Longchambon has played Maria Connor for 25 years on Coronation Street and in her quarter-century on the cobbles, has been a constant source of drama. From illicit affairs, to shacking up with her gay best friend, and more recently, as a terrified mum, desperate to protect her son from vile bullying and suicidal ideation.

Though of-screen, Samia has opened up about a private battle she’s been dealing with for the last 20 years, revealing that she’s been suffering with Raynaud’s disease.

Raynaud’s disease, which can also be called Raynaud’s phenomenon or syndrome, is a medical condition, with which blood flow to the fingers and toes is drastically reduced.

The condition is often triggered by cold temperatures or stress. The affected areas typically turn white, then blue, and finally red as blood flow returns.

Following a story post in which she displayed the symptoms of Raynaud’s in her fingers, the star took to her Instagram grid following a slew of messages from fans asking for advice.

‘I’ve had so many messages since I posted this pic on my story today so I thought I’d make it a grid post!’ she began.

‘Seems many of you have the same thing and lots are asking for tips on how to deal with it.. I’ve had it about 20 years now and it’s not dangerous, it’s called raynauds 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 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.’

She then went on to list her personal techniques for dealing with her symptoms.

‘My tips so far have been to keep as warm as possible (obviously!), wear gloves when it’s cold out, hand warmers are my best friend in winter, eat/drink anything with ginger as that’s good for circulation, and keep moving my fingers to get the blood flowing again!

‘Even going down the freezer aisle in a supermarket can set mine off! If anyone has other tips please share them below as I’m sure people who suffer with this will be happy to hear them!’

She also added that the tips she was sharing were personal to her and shouldn’t substitute for proper medical advice: ‘there are different types of Raynauds and some can be linked to other health conditions. My advice is purely personal to me so it’s not a professional opinion.’

The comments section was flooded with people who also suffer with the condition. Michelle Heaton, of Liberty X fame, wrote: ‘I’ve had it bad for years. I get something from the doctors and it helps sometimes. It’s horrid’ to which Samia replied: ‘sending love Michelle! Keep warm’.

@vickyspretties added: ‘Those pesky freezer aisles especially in winter are the bane of my life! I have time be in and out of the supermarket else I literally freeze to death’, while @w_jacko_ commented: ‘I have this in both hands , so painful the slightest temperature drops and mine flare up I use a hot water bottle to get my hands back to normal’.

@mtw_fitness_ said: ‘Very relatable as I have this too and in both my hands and feet. I’ve found it’s helpful not to warm your hands/feet up too quickly when they get cold otherwise you can end up with chilblains which are really painful. As tempting as it is to get them under hot water or on a radiator – don’t’

@lmgemm added: ‘I suffer from this too. It sets in when walking down supermarket isles, swimming in a pool, walking outside etc. I buy bumper packs of ‘little hotties’ from Amazon. Shake them and pop ’em your pocket. They are a godsend.’

@jemima.fraser commented: ‘I suffer with it as well I get it in both my fingers and toes bloody annoying he worse for me is change if temperature from going inside to outside in winter gets me a lot it’s always best to keep warm and keep moving and never hold anything freezing I learnt that one before’.

@laurenhallxoxo said: ‘I suffer with Raynauds to and also get it in my fingers and toes. I always have to double up on my gloves and socks when it’s really cold! It can be very painful for me and even going in the freezer can trigger it!’