Usually, having cold hands is just one of the ways the body tries to control its temperature and shouldn't be cause for concern. However, persistently cold hands — particularly with skin color changes — could be a warning sign of nerve damage, blood flow problems, or tissue damage in the hands or fingers.
Cold hands and feet can be a result of iron deficiency anemia. People with anemia have poor blood circulation throughout their bodies because they don't have enough red blood cells to provide oxygen to their tissue.
This is normal. The blood vessels in your hands and feet constrict (spasm) when it's cold, to prevent heat loss from your core. Some people tend to have colder feet and hands naturally, without an underlying disease. It's a fairly common condition .
Under normal circumstances, cold hands and feet are not a worry. But just keep in mind that it's due to a reduced blood supply reaching the extremities. Over time, this can result in brittle nails, dry or cracked skin, discoloured skin, and a feeling of tingling or numbness in the areas.
Diabetic neuropathy — cold or numb hands or feet — is a common sign of poor circulation in diabetes. However, according to United Kingdom-based Global Diabetes Community, you should alert your doctor if you experience these symptoms, as well: Pain when walking, particularly in calves, thighs, and buttocks.
People with heart failure may find that they often feel cold in their arms, hands, feet, and legs (the extremities). This happens because the body is circulating most of the available blood to the brain and other vital organs to compensate for the failing heart's inability to pump enough blood to the entire body.
Lack of vitamin B12 and iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead you to feel cold.
Why is my body warm but my feet cold? When you're exposed to cold temperatures, you might notice your feet and hands are the first to get cold, but your chest and torso are still warm. Since your feet are furthest away from your heart, it can take longer for your blood to circulate through the limbs of your body.
Some people naturally tend to feel colder than others without any discernible cause. However, cold intolerance can also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, or peripheral artery disease.
Specifically, vitamin B3 has been shown to reduce inflammation and increase circulation. People who always have cold hands and feet may want to consider a vitamin B supplement to improve blood flow and heart health.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a disease where your thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormone. This interferes with your body's metabolism that controls heartbeat and temperature, leading to reduced circulation that causes cold feet.
A magnesium deficiency can cause your muscles to tense up which, in turn, causes the diameter of your arteries to decrease, thus decreasing blood flow, resulting in cold hands and feet. Increasing your magnesium intake can help the blood vessels dilate, allowing blood to flow to the fingers and toes.
Poor circulation
This is one of the most common causes of cold feet. Poor circulation can make it difficult for enough warm blood to get to your feet regularly, keeping them cooler than the rest of your body.
However, experiencing the sensation of cold feet that don't feel cold to the touch may be a sign of a nerve problem. For example, peripheral neuropathy can cause this symptom. Peripheral neuropathy occurs as a result of nerve damage caused by injury or an underlying medical disorder.
The Estrogen Connection
Some studies suggest that estrogen levels are responsible for cold hands and feet in women. This may be one of the main reasons that women typically suffer from this problem more commonly than their male counterparts.
Cold hands may be caused by simply being in a cold room or other chilly environment. Cold hands are often a sign that your body is trying to maintain its regular body temperature. Always having cold hands, however, could mean there's a problem with your blood flow or the blood vessels in your hands.
How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.
Recent studies reveal that vitamin D deficiency can also predispose individuals to heart arrhythmias. To adopt a heart-healthy diet, eat more healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. A vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to the feeling of cold hands and feet, numbness, or tingling.
Anemia occurs when there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body's organs. As a result, it's common to feel cold and symptoms of tiredness or weakness.
Also, when your blood pressure is low, your body will often move blood away from your extremities (your hands and feet) and send it to protect our vital organs. This can leave our hands and feet feeling cold.
Usually, having cold hands is just one of the ways the body tries to control its temperature and shouldn't be cause for concern. However, persistently cold hands — particularly with skin color changes — could be a warning sign of nerve damage, blood flow problems, or tissue damage in the hands or fingers.
Poor circulation — caused by a heart problem, smoking, high blood pressure, Reynaud's disease or diabetes — is the most common cause of chronic cold feet, Tulpule says. Blocked or narrowed blood vessels makes it harder for blood to flow freely.