Clinging to the cold is nothing unusual. The body adapts blood flow so as to maintain its core temperature, especially when the temperature drops. But if you always want to get a sweater, are experiencing chills indoors, or your hands and feet are unusually cold, there are a few possible reasons for that.
Cold hands and feet do not necessarily mean that you have poor circulation. Recent medical guidance notes that hormones, blood vessels, nerves, metabolism, and even stress can affect how warm or cold your extremities feel.
There are seven reasons for you to feel cold more often than you typically do.
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1. Stress And Anxiety.
Stress can temporarily make your hands and feet feel cold, even when the surrounding room is comfortable.
As a natural “fight or flight” response, your body releases adrenaline when you feel stressed or anxious. Blood vessels near the skin may be narrowed, sending more blood to vital organs and away from the extremities.
So fingers and toes may feel much colder in stressful situations. The sensation may improve when you relax and blood flow returns to normal.
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2. An Underactive Thyroid
One other reason for feeling cold is an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and body temperature. If the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, metabolism can slow down and the body may produce less heat.
Some of the symptoms of feeling more sensitive to cold may be tiredness, weight gain, constipation and dry skin, hair loss, or concentration problems.
A persistent cold sensitivity on its own does not mean you have a thyroid disorder, but a combination of symptoms may warrant a medical evaluation.
3. Iron Deficiency Or Anaemia.
Cold hands and feet can also occur with anaemia, particularly when the condition is related to iron deficiency.
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen through the body. When someone has anaemia, they don’t have enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to efficiently transport oxygen.
In addition to cold hands and feet, other symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches and pale skin.
Iron deficiency is not the only cause of anaemia. Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, blood loss, and several medical conditions can also contribute, so the underlying cause needs to be identified rather than assuming that low iron is responsible.
4. Raynaud's Phenomenon.
If your fingers or toes become extremely cold and change colour after exposure to cold temperatures or during periods of stress, Raynaud's phenomenon could be one possible explanation.
Raynaud’s causes the small blood vessels that support the skin to narrow temporarily. During this time, fingers or toes may become cold and numb and may turn white or blue before going back to their normal colour as blood flow improves.
Primary Raynaud's can occur without another underlying disease. Secondary Raynaud's may be associated with some autoimmune or blood-vessel diseases and may require further evaluation.
5. Nerve-Related Changes
Sometimes your hands or feet are cold (even if they are not) to the touch.
Changes or damage in sensory nerves can interfere with the signals sent between the extremities and the brain. Neural changes like high blood sugar and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause coldness, tingling, or numbness.
If the sensation is accompanied by persistent numbness, pins and needles, weakness or changes in sensation, it is worth discussing it with a healthcare professional.
6. Natural Differences In Temperature Sensitivity.
Not everyone experiences temperature in the same way.
Some people naturally have colder hands and feet without any medical condition. Blood vessels in the hands and feet normally constrict in response to cold, reducing blood flow to the extremities and helping the body preserve heat around its core.
So sometimes cold fingers or toes, especially in a cold environment, are not a cause for alarm.
The concern is more of a persistent or substantial change from your normal temperature sensitivity, particularly in the presence of other symptoms.
7. Problems Affecting Blood Flow.
Circulation-related problems can also contribute to persistently cold extremities.
Several conditions can affect blood vessels or blood flow to the hands and feet. Diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and other vascular problems may be associated with cold extremities.
But cold hands or feet do not necessarily mean you have a circulation disorder. Other symptoms and medical history are necessary when considering further testing.
When Should You See A Doctor?
The occasional cold hands and feet are a normal response to the environment. But those symptoms are worth attention if they are not new or growing more common, or if they are still there.
If you have been feeling cold even when you are relatively comfortable, then consider speaking to a doctor if the cold feels that you may be experiencing unexplained fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, numbness and/or persistent tingling and/or skin colour change.
Fingers or toes that repeatedly turn white or blue, become painful, or develop sores should also be evaluated, particularly if these symptoms are severe or worsening. Raynaud's may occur alongside underlying conditions that need treatment.
A doctor would also look at your symptoms and medical history, and depending on the situation, would recommend tests for anaemia and thyroid dysfunction.
Most importantly, feeling cold does not automatically point to a serious illness. The occasional cold hand or foot is part of normal temperature regulation. It is the persistent, unexplained, or symptom-heavy pattern that should be investigated.
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