If you’re experiencing cold hands, it’s not always the temperature. Learn about 8 different causes of cold fingers and hands – and what to do about it.
One of the ways the body takes care of itself is by prioritizing which areas get warm during cold temperatures. Depending on the situation, it will prioritize vital organs over your extremities, which can make your hands and feet feel cold.
If the temperature is cold, it makes sense that your hands and fingers will feel cold. However, if you experience this during normal temperature, there may be an underlying cause.
The following are 8 different causes of cold fingers and hands, as well as what you can do to keep warm.
1. Raynaud’s Syndrome
Also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, this condition causes the arteries to narrow, blocking proper blood flow in your hands. People with Raynaud’s will experience this usually during cold temperatures or during moments of high stress.
2. Hypothyroidism
When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, you can experience obesity, heart disease, and cold sensitivity due to hypothyroidism. Symptoms include dry skin, weight gain, hoarseness, fatigue, muscle aches, hair loss, high cholesterol, and joint stiffness.
3. Temperature
Cold temperatures can cause cold extremities, but when the skin is exposed to extreme cold, you can experience frostbite. People who have certain medical conditions, including Raynaud’s, are at a higher risk of experiencing frostbite.
4. Vitamin Deficiency
Vitamins serve many functions and having vitamin deficiencies can lead to adverse effects, including cold hands. In fact, a vitamin B12 deficiency can be a significant factor in numbness, coldness, and tingling in the hands and feet.
5. Anemia
Individuals with anemia have a lower amount of red blood cells than the normal amount. As a result, the body can’t effectively deliver oxygen-rich blood to your hands, leading to coldness as well as fatigue.
6. Lupus
Like many autoimmune disorders, lupus mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs and can cause inflammation. It can also result in Raynaud’s, which itself leads to numb and cold fingers.
7. Scleroderma
As part of a group of diseases that harden the skin, scleroderma causes the connective tissue in the body to harden. Those with scleroderma commonly develop Raynaud’s, leading to cold fingers and hands.
8. Arterial Disease
When the arteries are affected, there’s a reduction in circulation to the hands, resulting in cold extremities. Various arterial diseases can lead to blockages in the blood vessels, causing inflammation and poor circulation.
How to Keep Your Hands Warm
If you’re looking for temporary solutions, you can place your hands under your armpits. You can also run your hands under warm water or use a heater to warm them up.
Still, the best way to improve your situation is by treating the underlying cause of your cold hands. A lot of these conditions affect your circulation, which is a big factor in whether your hands are getting the warmth they need.
One thing you can try is taking circulation supplements like Circulation Boost to improve your overall blood flow. Through its ingredients, it increases nitric oxide production, which relaxes your blood vessels and boosts circulation.
Try Circulation Boost to give your hands the circulation it needs to keep warm in the long term.