Persistently cold feet are a symptom caused by circulatory disorders.
Cold feet are a normal reaction of the body to low temperatures.
When the body enters a cold environment, the blood vessels on the hands and feet constrict, so blood flow is reduced.
The extremities are the most distant parts of the body from the vital organs, so the reduced blood flow to the extremities allows to maintain heat and blood flow to the brain and organs:
- of the chest,
- of the abdomen.
A temporary stay in a cold environment has no consequences, the body returns to normality as soon as it warms up.
In general, someone who has cold feet also has cold hands, but this is not always the case.
The nerves that regulate circulation in the arms originate from a different level than those for the legs.
A person can have cold feet, although the hands are warm and vice versa.
Women suffer from it more often than men.
In Chinese medicine, cold feet and hands are considered “yin”.
A person who is unbalanced towards yin (the counterpart to yang) has the following characteristics.
- Weakness
- Paleness
- White tongue,
- need for warmth,
- Clear urine
- Slowed digestion,
- Anorexia
- Bloated abdomen.
Contents
Causes of cold feet
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is very common in women. In this disease, the endocrine glands produce fewer hormones.
The result is a slowed metabolism.
The metabolism affects the body regarding:
- Blood circulation
- Heartbeat
- Body temperature.
People with hypothyroidism may react more strongly to cold and have other symptoms, for example:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Amnesia
- Skin dryness.
Cryoglobulinemia
Cryoglobulins are abnormal complexes of the blood protein that become insoluble when the temperature begins to drop.
Cryoglobulins are formed when the patient suffers from certain diseases, for example:
- Hepatitis C,
- Myeloma
- lymphocytic leukemia,
- Autoimmune diseases.
This hinders blood circulation and can cause cold extremities.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when, due to extremely low temperatures, the surface of the skin begins to freeze, triggering circulatory disorders of the blood.
This usually happens on the parts of the body farthest from the heart, such as fingers, hands and feet.
Raynaud’s syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome occurs when the small blood vessels on the fingers and toes narrow during low temperatures or emotional stress of a person.
This causes:
- changes in color on fingers and toes,
- fragility of nails.
The blood does not circulate freely, hands and feet become cold.
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD)
This is a medical problem in which blood circulation does not reach the hands and feet, causing the following:
- pain in the legs,
- Persistent feeling of cold in feet or hands.
It usually occurs in people who have diabetes, but non-diabetics can also suffer from this disorder.
The symptoms do not improve by wearing warm socks, because the cause arises in the body itself.
Infection
Some infections, such as influenza, can cause:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cold
- Joint pain
- Cold hands and feet.
This is the most common cause of cold feet in children.
Anxiety and stress
Anxiety and stress can cause:
- Cold hands,
- Cold feet,
- drowsiness in the head (dizziness),
- Tachycardia.
Other causes
In addition to these causes, there are other reasons:
- Smoke
- Iron deficiency anemia.
Smoking damages blood vessels and hinders blood circulation.
Iron deficiency in the blood (especially in women) often affects heat production in the body, causing cold hands and feet.
Pregnancy can lead to blood vessel narrowing. This reduces the flow of blood to the extremities in favor of vital organs.
Low blood pressure can cause various symptoms, including cold hands and feet.
Symptoms of cold feet
When the body is exposed to cold temperatures, the arteries narrow. This slows down the flow of blood to distant areas (such as the feet).
These circulatory disorders of the blood cause cold feet.
Symptoms include:
- Sensation of burning, in case of reduced blood circulation or neuropathy
- sensation of pain,
- Numbness in the feet in case of neuropathy.
People of all ages can suffer from these symptoms, but older people and smokers are particularly susceptible to them.
Cold feet during pregnancy
It is not uncommon for cold feet to occur during pregnancy, especially in the initial phases.
One of the causes is anemia.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the most common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy are:
- Fatigue
- Shortness
- Headache
- Cold hands and feet,
- Vertigo.
Morning sickness and vomiting can cause:
- mild dehydration,
- Electrolyte imbalances in the blood.
The result can be a feeling of cold on the feet.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, especially changes in thyroid hormones, can lead to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
This can trigger a feeling of coldness.
Sweaty cold feet
There are many people who suffer from cold and damp feet.
It can be very uncomfortable to wear closed shoes to prevent smells from being perceived by other people.
Often people who sweat heavily suffer from smelly feet.
If they do not practice proper hygiene, there is a risk of developing infections on:
- feet,
- Nails.
Causes of sweaty and cold feet
In medical parlance, sweaty feet are known as “hyperhidrosis plantaris”.
This can be caused by various factors such as diseases and disorders.
Here is a list of the most common:
- Genetic – Research shows that when a close family member experiences profuse sweating, the likelihood of that condition multiplies.
- In winter, a person who always wears closed shoes and is in the office all day can suffer from this pathology.
- In this way, water and excessive fluid cannot escape from the skin pores and sweat glands.
- Hormonal disorders in the body can stimulate the sweat glands and thus cause hypothermia (low temperature).
- Menopause can also cause cold feet in women because a reduction in estrogens has negative effects on blood circulation.
- If a person takes unsuitable medicines, side effects such as wet and cold feet may occur.
- A person suffering from stress and anxiety may sweat profusely all over the body, including feet and hands.
- There are many young people who sweat profusely when they have to go to the gym and take off their socks. This can also happen with the doctor or physiotherapist.
- It can also be used in heavy smokers and alcoholics
- It can also be caused by some diseases such as heart attack, heart disease, leukemia and lymphoma.
Constantly cold hands and feet
Cardiovascular disease
Circulatory diseases or cardiovascular diseases can cause cold hands and feet.
If blood circulation in the extremities decreases, a person can suffer from chronically cold hands and feet.
The narrowing of small blood vessels on the extremities can lead to constantly cold and purple hands.
Sometimes cold and purple hands can be a sign of:
- lack of oxygen in the blood,
- Blood poisoning
- heart problems,
- lung problems,
- Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Cyanosis
The cause of always cold and purple discolored hands and feet is cyanosis.
This is a disease in which the skin appears blue due to lack of oxygen in the blood.
Cyanosis is provoked by respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.
In newborns, it can be a sign of congenital heart disease (for example, missing opening of the tricuspid valve) and the development of blue discoloration requires immediate therapy.
Nerve lesions and neuropathy
Neuropathy can be the cause of cold feet. In this case, you have the feeling of cold feet, because the nerves that mediate the temperature function restricted.
Carpal tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve at the wrist is narrowed.
This causes:
- pain in the hand,
- Numbness
- Persistently cold hands.
In the foot area, the tarsal tunnel can cause pain and tingling on the sole of the foot up to the toes and cold feet.
Thrombangitis obliterans
This is a peripheral vascular disease, also called Buerger’s disease. The small and medium arteries and veins of the hands and feet are affected.
An inflammatory reaction is caused, which leads to obstruction of normal blood circulation.
This disease leads to cold hands and feet of purple and blue color.
Heart failure
It is the inability of the heart to pump a sufficient amount of blood into the organism.
Fluid accumulates in the lungs and feet.
The insufficient blood supply to the extremities causes the feeling of cold hands and feet.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma (literally coarse skin) is a chronic autoimmune disease of connective tissue.
It is characterized by:
- skin thickening,
- Fibrosis
- changes in blood vessels,
- Inflammation
A patient with scleroderma constantly feels a feeling of coldness.
Raynaud’s syndrome
The phenomenon of Raynaud is one of the most common diseases that cause cold hands and feet. The small arteries of the fingers cramp and thus hinder blood flow.
Smoke
If a person smokes and constantly suffers from cold hands and feet, he should stop smoking.
Cigarettes damage blood vessels and cause obstruction of blood circulation.
Heavy smokers suffer from extremely cold hands and feet when the climate is cold. You have arteriosclerosis and circulatory disorders.
Parasites
Parasites that live in the intestine feed on all the nutrients we absorb.
In this way, you lose weight and suffer from malnutrition, even after eating well.
When the body begins to lose vital nutrients, you feel weak and you freeze.
Therefore, a person should also be examined for parasites if he suffers from chronically cold hands and feet.
Chilblains
Chilblains are a mild form of frostbite and are very uncomfortable.
Chilblains (also called perniosis) are a consequence of extremely low temperature.
Chilblains are bumps on the fingers and sometimes on the ears or on the tip of the nose when the skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures.
Hands and feet can take on a yellow-gray color.
How to warm them up? Therapy for cold feet
It is important to keep the feet clean and dry. Do not apply pressure or friction during cleaning.
The most important thing is to protect your hands and feet from the cold.
In other cases, therapy is based on the underlying disease.
- Diabetics should control their blood sugar levels.
- In the case of anemia, attention should be paid to an increased intake of iron and vitamin C.
- This is achieved by eating foods rich in iron and vitamin C.
- In the case of atherosclerotic circulatory disorders, surgical intervention may be considered.
Natural remedies for cold and painful feet
» People who freeze quickly in winter should massage their hands and feet twice a day with a warm vegetable oil.
Add a few drops of lemon oil to the oil for an even better effect.
Rubbing the affected areas with used lemon wedges leads to rapid healing.
» The oil of eucalyptus, rosemary and mint is optimal for the treatment of chilblains.
You can use these oils to massage swollen feet, but you should be careful not to apply the oil to abrasions.
People who suffer from cold feet while cycling or mountain biking (MTB) should apply these oils before training.
» Boil marigolds in water and allow to cool. Add sea salt. Bathe hands and feet in this infusion.
» In case of severe itching, rub the affected area with the slice of an onion. The onion juice must cover the entire area. This proven home remedy reduces itching. Also, the juice of garlic is effective.
» A massage with cayenne pepper oil or the application of cayenne pepper powder is an effective home remedy.
It improves blood circulation and brings relief.
You should be particularly careful with the oil if you notice a crack in the affected area, even if it is very small.
