Hands And Feet Always Cold? Why This Happens And Easy Solutions For Winter

Cold hands and feet are common, often due to cold weather or reduced blood flow.

24 Dec 2025, 08:33 · www.ndtv.com

If your hands and feet often feel cold while the rest of your body stays warm, you're not alone. Many people experience cold extremities, especially in cooler weather or air-conditioned environments. During winters, this becomes an even bigger problem because having cold hands and feet may feel like a severe illness amidst cold waves. In most cases, however, having this is a normal physiological response. When the body senses cold, it prioritises keeping vital organs warm by reducing blood flow (vasoconstriction) to the limbs, which are furthest from the core and more prone to heat loss.

And yet, persistently cold hands or feet indoors or in mild temperatures may indicate more than just a reaction to cold air. Various medical conditions can affect circulation, nerve function, oxygen transport or metabolic activity, all of which influence how warm your extremities feel. For example, autoimmune disorders such as Raynaud's phenomenon cause blood vessels to over-react to cold or stress, leading to colour changes and numbness in fingers and toes. Similarly, thyroid disorders slow metabolism and reduce body heat production, often showing early signs in the hands and feet.

Understanding the underlying cause helps you manage symptoms more effectively and know when to seek medical advice for serious conditions like peripheral artery disease, anaemia or diabetes-related nerve damage.

Why Hands And Feet Get Cold

The most common trigger for cold extremities is a normal vasoconstrictive response, the narrowing of blood vessels to conserve core body heat when temperatures drop. This mechanism reduces blood flow to the hands and feet, making them feel cold until blood flow returns and they warm up again. It's a healthy response and usually temporary.

Common Medical Causes Of Cold Hands And Feet

Raynaud's Phenomenon: This condition makes blood vessels in the fingers and toes over-react to cold or stress, causing colour changes (white to blue to red) and numbness before warming up again. Persistent or severe episodes warrant medical review, as they may lead to discomfort or tissue damage in rare cases.
Poor Circulation and Arterial Diseases: Conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) narrow arteries and reduce blood flow, often accompanied by pain or cramping in legs during activity. Chronic circulation issues can make extremities consistently cold and slow wound healing.
Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones, slowing metabolism and heat generation. Common symptoms include fatigue, dry skin, weight changes and cold intolerance in extremities.
Anaemia and Nutrient Deficiencies: Iron deficiency anaemia or low vitamin B-12 reduces oxygen delivery in the blood, leading to cold hands and feet, fatigue and pale skin.
Diabetes: High blood sugar over time damages blood vessels and nerves (peripheral neuropathy), which affects circulation and temperature sensation in the hands and feet.
Stress and Anxiety: Adrenaline released during stress narrows peripheral blood vessels, temporarily reducing blood flow to hands and feet, making them feel cold even in normal temperatures.

What You Can Do

Simple lifestyle measures can help improve warmth:

Keep hands and feet insulated
Stay active to boost circulation
Avoid smoking (which narrows blood vessels)
Manage stress
For suspected nutrient deficiencies or medical causes, consult a healthcare provider for blood tests and tailored treatment.

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical advice if cold extremities are persistent, accompanied by colour changes, numbness, sores that don't heal, pain, or other symptoms like fatigue or weight changes. These may signal underlying cardiovascular, metabolic, or nerve conditions needing professional care.

Cold hands and feet are often a normal response to the environment, but persistent or severe symptoms may point to underlying health issues. Knowing common causes, from Raynaud's and poor circulation to anemia and thyroid disorders, can help you take steps to manage symptoms and know when to consult a doctor. With proper lifestyle changes and medical guidance, most causes of cold extremities can be addressed effectively.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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