It's normal to have a little cold feet on a cold day. But sometimes, even when it's really hot and you're wearing socks, do your feet feel so cold that you can't even touch them? This is not just a coincidence, it could also be a sign of another underlying condition in your body. So it's good to be a little concerned about this. Let's talk in detail about the reasons behind these cold feet.
Are there other symptoms that come with cold feet?
If you not only have cold feet, but also have symptoms below, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
- Feeling of weakness or pain in the arms and legs.
- Feeling more sensitive to cold than usual.
- Skin color changes when exposed to cold or when experiencing great stress. For example, the skin becomes pale or blue.
- Feeling numb when the body warms up again or when stress decreases.
What are the main causes of cold feet?
There can be simple reasons behind cold feet, as well as serious ones that require medical attention. Let's take a look at the main causes.
Complications caused by diabetes
If you have diabetes, you are at risk for several foot problems.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Simply put, this is damage to the nerves in your feet caused by diabetes. In this case, your feet may feel cold, but they may feel normal when touched. This condition can also occur in people without diabetes due to factors such as accidents, vitamin deficiencies, and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): This is when the blood vessels (arteries) that carry blood to the legs become narrowed or blocked. This reduces blood flow to the legs, making them cold. Even if you don't have diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and age increase your risk of developing this disease.
Hypothyroidism
The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland in the front of your neck produces the main hormones that control your body's metabolism. If this gland is underactive (hypothyroidism), your body doesn't produce enough hormones. As a result, your whole body may feel cold, especially your feet.
Raynaud's Disease
This is a bit of a special situation. What happens here is that our body overreacts to the cold. Even in mild cold weather, our fingers and toes can feel numb and frozen.
Imagine, just going to the freezer at the supermarket and your fingers turning pale and lifeless. When you come out again, they turn blue after a while, and then red and inflamed. This is the nature of Raynaud's disease.
This condition occurs when the small blood vessels in the hands and feet suddenly constrict, temporarily cutting off blood flow to the fingertips.
| Raynaud's disease type | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Raynaud's disease | This is the most common type. The symptoms are relatively mild and are not associated with any other disease. |
| Secondary Raynaud's disease | This can be caused by another medical condition (e.g. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) or by medications (e.g. some high blood pressure medications). This can be more serious. |
| Important: If you have Raynaud's and develop sores on your fingers, see your doctor immediately. | |
Anemia
Simply put, anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells. These red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When they are low, the amount of oxygen reaching distant organs, such as the hands and feet, is reduced, and they can become cold. Anemia can also be a symptom of another condition, so it is important to see a doctor to check for it.
Buerger's Disease
This is a very rare disease. But if you are a smoker or a tobacco user, you should be especially aware of this. This disease, which is directly related to tobacco use, causes the blood vessels in the hands and feet to swell. This can interfere with blood flow, leading to blood clots and infections. The only cure for this disease is to stop smoking completely.
High cholesterol and stress
High cholesterol levels cause fat to build up in the blood vessels and block blood flow. This is also a cause of cold feet. Also, when you are under severe stress, the body automatically directs blood to major organs like the brain and heart, while reducing blood flow to areas like the hands and feet. That is why hands and feet become cold when you are stressed.
How to diagnose the disease?
Since there are many causes of cold feet, it's best to see your doctor for advice. He or she will ask you about your symptoms, examine you, and, if necessary, recommend blood tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Things you can do to keep your feet warm
Whether you have an underlying medical condition or not, there are some simple things you can do yourself to keep your feet warm.
- Wear socks or slippers: Keep your feet warm, especially indoors.
- Move your legs: Small exercises such as frequent shaking of the legs and walking stimulate blood circulation.
- Stop smoking: The nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels, which hinders blood flow.
- Control cholesterol: Follow a diet and take medication as directed by your doctor if necessary.
- Reduce stress: Meditation, listening to music, and light exercise can help.
- Take care of your nutrition: Include foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate (e.g. spinach, red meat, eggs), which help with blood circulation.
Take-Home Message
- Constantly cold feet can be normal, or it can be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as diabetes, thyroid, or Raynaud's disease.
- If you have other symptoms, such as weakness, pain, or skin discoloration, pay close attention to them.
- Don't forget that smoking and high cholesterol levels directly contribute to cold feet.
- If you have any doubts or concerns about this condition, be sure to see your doctor for advice. Do not self-treat by looking online.
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