Cold Hands and Feet
Cold hands and feet may seem like a natural bodily state; however, if not in a cold environment, an individual’s hands, feet, or any other extremity should really not be cold. While having cold hands or feet is generally a part of the body’s natural response to regulate and control the body temperature, persistently cold extremities may be a sign of underlying health concerns or potential development of health issues. Consistently cold hands and feet, mainly if accompanied by changes in color, could be a warning sign for additional issues. Health concerns that are related to having cold hands and feet include nerve issues, blood circulation problems, and damaged tissue in the hands or fingers and feet or toes. Additional symptoms to pay attention to if experiencing cold hands and feet include changes in the color of the skin – such as white or blue, numbness or tingling in the extremities, open sores or blisters, and tightened or hardened skin.
While the cause of cold extremities may simply be the body’s innate response to regulating the bodily temperature, ongoing cold hands or feet could have a number of underlying causes. The most frequent causes include problems with the blood circulation or the blood vessels in the hand. Additional causes for issues with cold include anemia, Buerger’s disease, diabetes, frostbite, lupus, Raynaud’s disease, and scleroderma.
In any case, natural remedies can restore the body's equilibrium, enhance circulation, and support the metabolism. When circulation is inefficient or the metabolic system is not running as optimally as it could or should be, the body extracts heat away from the extremities to preserve the internal organs. Regular exercise can revitalize the body and improve circulation. Likewise, caffeine and cayenne pepper are stimulants that have the same effect and increase blood flow.
