It’s a common complaint: “My hands and feet are always cold!” You might even joke about having ice in your veins, or perhaps your loved ones frequently comment on your chilly touch. But is this constant coldness something to be concerned about? Many people jump to the conclusion that cold hands and feet signify poor circulation, often associating it with serious health issues. However, according to vascular surgeon Dr. Nicholas Morrissey from Columbia University Irving Medical Center, that’s usually not the case.
Why Do Cold Hands and Feet Happen?
Experiencing cold hands and feet is often a perfectly normal physiological response, especially when you’re in a chilly environment or holding something cold. Your body has a clever way of regulating its temperature. Blood circulation to your extremities like hands and feet helps keep them warm. However, when exposed to cold for an extended period, your body prioritizes maintaining warmth in its core – your heart, brain, and vital organs. To achieve this core temperature balance in cold conditions, the blood flow to your hands and feet is reduced. This is a protective mechanism to prevent heat loss from these extremities and keep your vital organs functioning optimally.
For most individuals, cold hands and feet are simply a normal reaction to cold exposure and will resolve once you warm up. Think of it as your body’s efficient thermostat in action. If you find your cold hands are only an issue during winter or when you’re in air conditioning, the solution might be as simple as adjusting your environment or wearing warmer clothing. As Dr. Morrissey puts it, “If you can solve your cold-hands problem by wearing gloves, you don’t have a problem with cold hands.”
When Should You Worry About Consistently Cold Hands and Feet?
While often benign, persistently cold hands and feet, especially if they don’t warm up in a warm environment, can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. It’s important to pay attention to when and how often you experience this coldness.
Cold hands and feet that remain cold even after being indoors or in a warmer setting might be a symptom of various conditions. These can include:
- Anemia: A deficiency in red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body, can lead to cold extremities.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus and scleroderma can affect blood vessels and circulation, causing cold hands and feet.
- Blood Disorders: Certain blood disorders can impair circulation and temperature regulation.
- Thyroid Disorders: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can slow down metabolism, leading to cold intolerance and cold extremities.
- Medication Reactions: Some medications can have side effects that include poor circulation and cold hands and feet.
- Smoking: Nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the extremities.
Raynaud’s Disease: When Nerves Overreact to Cold
In some individuals, particularly those with conditions like lupus, scleroderma, or Raynaud’s disease, cold hands and feet are a result of hypersensitive nerves. In Raynaud’s disease, the nerves in the hands and feet are overly sensitive to cold. When these nerves sense cold, they trigger blood vessels in the fingers and toes to constrict excessively. This exaggerated response shunts blood away from the extremities and back to the body’s core more intensely than normal.
This overreaction can cause the fingers and toes to turn white or blue due to lack of blood flow. This can be accompanied by prolonged pain and numbness. If you suspect you might have Raynaud’s disease or experience these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult your doctor. They may refer you to a vascular specialist or a rheumatologist to properly diagnose and manage the condition.
However, even for individuals with Raynaud’s or other underlying conditions causing chronic cold hands and feet, the primary and often most effective solution remains simple: gloves. Dr. Morrissey emphasizes, “Gloves are almost always the answer. If gloves solve the problem, we don’t give people medications. We don’t want to talk about surgery.”
When Cold Hands and Feet Signal an Emergency
In rare cases, cold hands and feet can be a sign of a serious medical emergency. This is usually indicated by a sudden onset of severe pain, numbness, and intense coldness, often affecting an entire hand, foot, arm, or leg at once. These symptoms are unrelenting and don’t improve with warming.
This situation, while uncommon, demands immediate medical attention. If you experience this sudden and severe coldness along with pain and numbness, it is crucial to seek emergency medical care at an emergency department without delay.
In conclusion, while constantly cold hands and feet can be bothersome, they are frequently a normal bodily response to cold. However, persistent or sudden, severe coldness may warrant medical evaluation. Paying attention to your body’s signals and consulting a healthcare professional when concerned is always the best approach to ensure your well-being.
