Snubbing handshakes isn’t the best way to make friends or form connections because your hands feel like frozen fish. Instead of letting people misunderstand you, you can learn about the possible reasons and try to find a solution. It may be something simple like wearing tight clothing or an underlying health condition that needs treatment. Whichever it is, you don’t have to suffer in silence because your hands and feet feel like ice.
Hypothermia
When you get stuck in heavy rain or icy water, your body gets too cold and cannot keep you warm enough. This scenario describes hypothermia, where your body produces heat slower than required. Hence, your heart pumps more blood to vital organs to save energy, leaving less for hands and feet, which always feel chilly.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is a part of the body in the neck that produces the hormones needed to control temperature. Hypothyroidism occurs when it doesn’t make enough to support your metabolism, making it harder to generate heat. As a result, you may feel cold more often, especially in your hands and feet, because you’re not producing the warmth required to keep them warm.
Raynaud’s Disease
This condition affects blood circulation, especially in the fingers and toes. When someone with Raynaud’s is exposed to small amounts of cold or feels stressed, their vessels narrow too much, reducing blood flow to their limbs. It overreacts to freezing temperatures, warm blood won’t reach the areas properly, and their hands and feet may feel numb.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy damages nerves in the body, including those that control blood flow to the hands and feet. When nerves don’t work well, the internal vessels may not constrict or dilate as needed to regulate temperature. This condition often happens gradually and can make someone cold, even in warm conditions, because blood isn’t reaching them properly due to nerve damage.
Anemia
Anemia happens when the body lacks enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. Without sufficient oxygen, the body struggles to keep you warm. When it’s not adequate, your hands and feet bear the brunt, feeling cold.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when skin and tissue freeze due to prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures, typically below freezing. The damaged veins and nerves in the affected area can lead to low circulation and consistent cold. Even after healing, the individual may still experience the after-effects of the initial incidents.
Diabetes
While the most well-known effect of diabetes is high blood sugar levels, it can also wreak havoc on your vessels and nerves. It restricts blood flow to the limbs, leading to poor circulation. So, anyone who touches your hands will feel its warmth, but you’ll be cold as less heat reaches the hands and feet.
Stress and Anxiety
When someone is stressed or anxious, their body goes into “fight or flight” mode. This constricts the veins in their hands and feet, reducing blood flow and making them feel chilly, even in warm environments. In addition to stress hormones affecting circulation, anxiety and heightened emotions can also increase tension in muscles.
Medications
Certain medications, like beta-blockers and decongestants, can cause colds because they narrow the veins, restricting blood flow to the limbs. Medicines for high blood pressure or heart conditions may also slow the heart rate and reduce circulation. Therefore, people taking them may experience freezing hands and feet as a side effect.
High Cholesterol
This condition is usually caused by an unhealthy buildup of fatty deposits in blood vessels, especially arteries. High cholesterol contributes to conditions like atherosclerosis that limit blood circulation. When the blood flow is restricted in a person with high cholesterol, these parts receive less warmth and nutrients, making them feel constantly cold.
Poor Circulation
Although conditions like diabetes, obesity, and peripheral artery disease can worsen circulation, tying the skin with objects such as tight clothing or accessories can also constrict blood vessels. They both result in persistent cold hands and feet. Physically, you can detect inadequate blood flow when the color of the affected area starts to fade.
Environmental Factors
Cold weather, air conditioning, or exposure to wind can make your hands and feet feel cold. A poorly heated environment makes it harder for the body to retain heat. When the body gets the feeling, it redirects blood away from the limbs to protect more critical organs. Dampness and humidity can also contribute to this situation.
Poorly Fitting Footwear or Restrictive Clothing
When your shoes or clothes don’t fit well, they can limit blood circulation in your body, especially in your hands and feet. This restricted blood flow reduces warmth reaching these parts, making them numb often. Therefore, wearing comfortable clothes that keep you free and less cramped is crucial.
Smoking
Chemicals in cigarettes, like nicotine, can make the veins narrow or become smaller. Reduced flow of blood to the hands and feet makes them feel colder than usual. Over time, the damage affects circulation and causes persistent cold hands and feet. So, if you smoke, it’s essential to know that it can lead to this problem.
Poor Diet, Including Dehydration
A poor diet without the essential nutrients can affect blood circulation. Dehydration, which is not drinking enough water, can make this worse. When the body lacks proper nutrients and water, it struggles to maintain a healthy blood flow. Then, the hands and feet become cold as less warm blood reaches them.
