DO I REALLY NEED?

THIS week: Extremities Pinnacle Mitts for Raynaud’s (£55, terra-nova.co.uk) THESE waterproof gloves claim to reduce symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome — where a drop in temperature causes the blood vessels in the extremities such as the fingers and toes to contract, cutting off blood supply, causing numbness and then pain. EXPERT VERDICT: Dr Constantinos Kyriakides, a consultant vascular surgeon at Barts and the London NHS trust and the private London Clinic, says: ‘There’s not much difference between these gloves and ski gloves, which would cost patients much less, but they are effective.

‘It’s vital that Raynaud’s patients have very warm gloves and these are insulating. However, they are bulky and there is also a practicality issue because these are mitts, not gloves, meaning you can’t use your fingers while wearing them — that would make them redundant inside.

‘I think patients would be better off buying specialist gloves online, where they cost between £10 and £20.’