If you’ve ever had cold feet after a day in the snow or a barefoot walk across a tiled floor in winter, you know how uncomfortable the feeling can be.
Usually, cold feet are the result of conditions such as cold weather and cool surfaces.
Generally, wearing warm socks – especially wool socks – will prevent the feet from freezing, and when you remove the source, your body temperature will naturally warm back up.
However, there are people for whom having cold feet is unrelated to the environment that surrounds them. In these cases, cold feet are the result of chronic and/or acute underlying conditions.
According to Yahoo, the options below are some of the most frequent causes.
Poor blood flow
One of the most common causes of cold feet is poor circulation.
Poor blood flow occurs when blood is delayed out to the extremities. This usually happens when blood vessels in the body narrow or develop blockages.
There are many underlying causes, so it’s important to talk to a doctor who can assess your unique needs.
Simple steps you can take to improve blood flow to your feet include walking, stretching, and yoga. Alternatively, compression stockings.
Medicine
In addition to circulation, certain medications can trigger cold feet. An example of this is beta blockers for high blood pressure, which lower blood pressure by slowing the speed at which blood moves through the body, thereby increasing the feeling of cold in the feet and other extremities.
Also, be aware of the effects of medications used to relieve migraines and headaches, as well as certain cold medications. Ergotamine, found in migraine medications, can make you more sensitive to colds and certain types of nasal sprays.
Because reactions to medications vary, it’s important to talk to your doctor about their potential risks.
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that causes fingers and toes to become numb after exposure to cold and/or stress. Here, the small arteries responsible for supplying blood to the skin narrow, affecting circulation before it has a chance to warm the extremities.
When this happens, the skin may turn white, then blue, and finally pink and red as blood begins to flow back to the affected areas.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition that can cause cold hands and feet. With anemia, the body lacks sufficient red blood cells to carry oxygen, resulting in insufficient blood gas. This gives a cold feeling in the hands and feet.
Anemia can be triggered by several factors, including long-term chronic diseases, poor diet, and certain medications. Often anemia develops due to low iron content, and therefore it is common in pregnant women – whose bodies require more iron.
Cases can range from mild to severe and can cause a range of symptoms and side effects, including fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Simple changes, such as adding certain foods to your diet or changing medications, can help manage and deal with anemia and thus cold hands and feet.
Stress
If you find that you get cold feet in stressful situations, you are not alone. Common symptoms associated with elevated cortisol include increased heart rate, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, and cold feet.
In stressful moments, we often produce more sweat, especially in the soles of the feet. This moisture maintains coolness, cooling your feet and keeping them colder for longer. Stress causes our hearts to beat either faster or slower.
Hyperventilation, which is a change in breathing associated with stress, can reduce blood flow by narrowing blood vessels.
If you often experience cold feet during periods of stress, talk to a doctor about best practices for treatment and relief.
