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Cold Hands & Feet
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Signs & Symptoms
Causes
Often the cause is unknown and not serious. Cold hands and feet can be a symptom of the conditions that follow.
• Poor circulation. This is most often due to diseased arteries.
• Raynaud’s disease. This is a disorder that affects the flow of blood to the fingers and sometimes to the toes.
• Any underlying disease that affects the blood flow in the tiny blood vessels of the skin. Women who smoke may be more prone to this.
• Frostbite.
• Stress.
• A side effect of taking certain medicines
• Cervical rib syndrome. This is a compression of the nerves and blood vessels in the neck that affects the shoulders, arms, and hands.
Treatment
Emergency care is needed for frostbite. If a medical condition causes cold hands and/or feet, treatment for the condition is needed.
Questions to Ask
Question 1
After exposure to cold temperatures, do you have signs and symptoms of frostbite?
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
Question 2
With cold hands and/or feet, do you have weakness in the arms, hands, or feet?
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
Question 3
When exposed to the cold or when you are under stress, do your hands or feet turn pale, then blue, then red, and get painful and numb?
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
Use Self-Care / Prevention:
You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.
Self-Care / Prevention
• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.
• Avoid caffeine.
• Don’t handle cold objects with bare hands. Use ice tongs to pick up ice cubes, etc.
• Set your indoor thermostat at 65ºF or higher.
• Wear mittens and wool socks to keep hands and feet warm.
• Don’t wear tight-fitting footwear.
• Wiggle your toes. It may help keep them warm by increasing blood flow.
• Stretch your fingers straight out. Swing your arms in large circles like a baseball pitcher warming up for a game. This may increase blood flow to the fingers. Skip this tip if you have bursitis or back problems.
• Meditate. Learn and practice biofeedback.
This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.
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