[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/08\/cold-hands-feet\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/08\/cold-hands-feet\/","headline":"Why Are My Hands and Feet Always Cold?","name":"Why Are My Hands and Feet Always Cold?","description":"Circulation problems may be the culprit of your cold hands and feet. Learn what you can do to warm up.","datePublished":"2016-08-16","dateModified":"2023-06-14","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/hands-cold-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/hands-cold-1.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/08\/cold-hands-feet\/","about":["Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":715,"keywords":["Buerger's disease","cold hands and feet","Peripheral artery disease","Raynaud's disease"],"articleBody":"Are you frequently asking yourself, \u201cWhy are my hands and feet always cold?\u201d You\u2019re not alone. Lots of people have cold hands and feet for no apparent reason.\u00a0Our bodies constantly try to regulate our internal temperature, so sometimes you might feel colder in certain parts of the body \u2013 even when you\u2019re in a warm environment.\u00a0Why Are My Hands Always Cold?\u00a0Sometimes, you might have cold hands and feet even though your body is warm.\u00a0When your blood vessels constrict \u2013 or get smaller \u2013 during blood circulation less blood can flow through them. This constriction may cause cold hands and feet, even when the rest of your body feels warm or when you\u2019re in a warm place.\u00a0There are several reasons why your hands and feet may always feel cold, most are harmless, but others are more serious. Having cold hands or feet may indicate a symptom of:\u00a0Smoking.\u00a0Buerger\u2019s disease.\u00a0Peripheral artery disease (PAD).\u00a0Primary Raynaud\u2019s disease.\u00a0Secondary Raynaud\u2019s disease.\u00a0Does smoking cause cold hands and feet?\u00a0Tobacco constricts blood vessels, causing the feeling of cold extremities. Because of this effect, smokers often say that their hands and feet are always cold.\u00a0What Deficiency Causes Cold Hands and Feet?\u00a0A number of conditions could be contributing to your cold feet and hands:\u00a0Buerger\u2019s disease\u00a0Buerger\u2019s disease is a condition that can cause blood clots that lower the temperature in your hands and feet. While there is no specific cause for the disease, almost everyone who has Buerger\u2019s uses some\u202fform of tobacco. Quitting all tobacco products is the only way to stop this disease.\u00a0Peripheral artery disease\u00a0Peripheral artery disease\u202f(PAD) occurs when plaque builds up in your artery walls, narrowing the arteries and decreasing the amount of blood circulation to your arms, legs, neck, and abdomen. In addition to cold hands and feet, PAD also can cause difficulty walking, painful foot ulcers, infections, and \u2013 in severe cases \u2013 gangrene or tissue death.\u00a0Primary Raynaud\u2019s disease\u00a0Another possible reason for cold hands and feet is Raynaud\u2019s disease. Primary Raynaud\u2019s disease causes some arteries in parts of your body, like your hands and feet, to constrict in response to cold temperatures.\u00a0Women are more likely than men to have Raynaud\u2019s disease. It also is more common in people who live in colder climates.\u00a0Treatment for primary Raynaud\u2019s disease depends on its severity and whether you have other health conditions. For most people, Raynaud\u2019s disease isn\u2019t a serious condition, but it can affect quality of life.\u00a0In rare cases, Raynaud\u2019s disease can be more serious, especially if you also have:\u00a0Lupus\u00a0Scleroderma\u00a0Rheumatoid arthritis\u00a0Secondary Raynaud\u2019s disease\u00a0Usually affecting people around age 40, secondary Raynaud\u2019s disease can cause an artery to become completely blocked. Sores or even dead tissue may develop in some areas, which can lead to gangrene that can be difficult to treat. If left untreated, your doctor may need to remove the affected area.\u00a0Are Cold Hands and Feet a Sign of Heart Problems?\u00a0Regularly having cold hands and feet can be a sign of poor blood circulation.\u00a0People with heart failure may experience cold feeling feet and hands as the body will prioritize getting blood to the brain and other vital organs over the extremities. This lack of blood flow results in a cold feeling in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.\u00a0When Should I See a Doctor About Cold Hands and Feet?\u00a0You should see a primary care provider if you notice thickening or tightening of the skin on your hands and feet. This thickening can cause sores and cracks on your fingertips or toes, which might not heal.\u00a0You also should see your provider if you have cold hands and feet with joint pain, a\u202ffever, or a rash.\u00a0How Do I Fix Cold Hands and Feet?\u00a0There are several ways to try to warm the hands and feet. They include:\u00a0Avoiding all forms of tobacco and caffeine.\u00a0Wearing gloves and warm socks in cold weather.\u00a0Layering clothes to keep your body temperature up.\u00a0Exercising and massaging the affected areas.\u00a0Bringing any concerns to your doctor.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 16, 2016, and was last reviewed on June 14, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why Are My Hands and Feet Always Cold?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/08\/cold-hands-feet\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]