Has this ever happened to you? It's nearing the end of May, birds chirping, the sun is shining… but your hands are absolutely freezing!
Or maybe you shake someone's hand in greeting and they say, "Wow, your fingers are cold!"
Or, more dramatically, you look down and to your shock see that one or more of your fingers is pale or blue and freezing.
What is going on?
First of all, everyone's fingers and toes get cold from time to time. Fingers and toes are the very tips of your body, and so they lose blood the fastest when your body is cold. But if you notice it happens often, even in warm weather, or that your fingers and toes suddenly lose blood and turn very pale or bluish, then something else might be going on.
Obviously, your hands and feet are incredibly important. Taking care of them, like preventing repetitive motion injuries, is key for staying limber for a long time.
But your hands and feet do more than you might think. They can also give us indicators of health issues stemming from other areas of our bodies, some of which are very surprising!
Read on to discover what cold, colorless hands and feet can mean.
Thumbnail Photo: Flickr, UC Hospitals
Why Do My Hands And Feet Get So Cold?
Everyone's hands and feet get cold sometimes. When we get cold, the blood retreats from the extremities to keep our organs warm, so our fingers and toes get cold first.
But what if it seems like your hands and feet are getting cold all the time?
Well, it could actually be a signal that something else in your body is happening…
Chilly Cause #1: Hormonal Changes
When our hormones are in flux, especially during menstrual cycles or menopause, our bodies go through many changes.
Estrogen plays a huge role in regulating body temperature, so changes will affect body temperature and make you feel cold — even if no one else does.
If you notice that your hands and feet tend to feel cold around the same time you experience PMS symptoms, or if they started feeling cold as you started entering menopause, then hormones are likely the culprit.
Chilly Cause #2: Raynaud's Disease
Raynaud's disease isn't so much a disease, but a phenomenon that occurs when a finger or toe loses blood and becomes pale or bluish as a result.
It's often hereditary, and most common in women, usually appearing in their late teens or early 20s.
Raynaud's is uncomfortable and annoying, but it looks scarier than it actually is (your author speaks from experience).
Keep your hands and feet warm, and try to manage your stress, as stress has been shown to cause flare-ups.
Chilly Cause #3: Lupus
Lupus is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue, including blood vessels.
Small blood vessels in the hands and feet are attacked, making blood unable to flow there and resulting in coldness.
Lupus is scary, but the good news is that it's not that common. If you think your cold hands might be lupus-related, talk to your doctor.
Chilly Cause #4: Carpal Tunnel Or Other Nerve Damage
Nerves can also cause a cold sensation in hands and feet. Any pressure on nerves in the ankle or wrist can cause coldness, tingling, or numbness in the hand or foot.
Cold hands are an early sign of carpal tunnel syndrome, where nerves in the wrist become compressed due to repetitive activity.
If you think nerves might be the root of your chilly fingers, try some light stretches and take breaks from activity.
Chilly Cause #5: Vitamin Deficiency
Anemia, or low iron levels, causes paleness, fatigue, and cold hands and feet. A vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause extremity coldness.
Make sure you're eating a balanced diet and getting the nutrients you need. A doctor can test your levels, and if they're very low, consider taking a supplement or making a few changes to your diet.
Red meat and dark leafy greens are great sources of iron, and so is cooking in an iron skillet!
Chilly Cause #6: Smoking
Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, which means that less blood is getting where it needs to go.
You may not notice it elsewhere, but in small extremities like fingers and toes, you may notice that they feel cold.
Chilly Cause #7: Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are prescribed to treat high blood pressure and migraines, and are also present in some over-the-counter cold medicines. A common side effect is cold hands and feet.
If you never had cold hands and feet before starting a medication, it may be a side effect.
Talk to your doctor about alternative medications, if possible.
Chilly Cause #8: Artery Damage Or Disease
Another way blood is prevented from reaching all the corners of your body is if it's blocked by something in the arteries.
Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis, in which the wall of the artery thickens, can reduce blood flow.
If you've had issues with artery health, this may be your cause. Talk to your doctor about treatments, as artery health is incredibly important!
Chilly Cause #9: Diabetes
Diabetes causes changes in blood pressure and blood flow, including high blood pressure. These changes can cause hands and feet to become cold and numb, and it can get serious.
If you have diabetes, pay attention to any temperature changes in your hands and feet, as they might signal a change in your circulation, and talk to a doctor about the steps to take.
Cold hands and feet are fairly common, especially in women, and for most people, it's a little more than a mild annoyance.
However, always talk to your doctor if symptoms persist, cause you pain, or change suddenly.
SHARE these facts with someone you care about, and make sure everyone's fingers and toes are happy and healthy!
