Don’t get this sensation confused during the winter months–There are a lot of reasons why your feet could be cold, ranging from cold climates to a sign of a serious medical condition. If you experience frequent cold feet, reach out to your podiatrist or healthcare provider for a full examination. To schedule an appointment at our Middlesex County office, call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website. 

Q: What Are Cold Feet?

A: Cold feet occur when your feet feel like they’re at a lower temperature than the rest of your body. There are a lot of reasons why your feet could be cold, ranging from cold climates to a sign of a serious medical condition. The most common cause of cold feet is poor blood flow in your legs and feet.

Q: How Common Are Cold Feet?

A: It is normal and common to get cold feet every once in a while. The exact rate of occurrence is unknown because many cases of cold feet are temporary or are associated with another condition.

Q: What Are The Symptoms Of Cold Feet?

A: Common symptoms of cold feet are mild, or throbbing pain in your feet and toes, noticing your feet are cold during specific hours of the day, like at night before bed, noticing the color of your feet are a different color (pale, red, blue, or purple) than the rest of your body, or noticing that after being in cold temperatures, that your feet take longer to warm up than the rest of your body.

Q: Why Is My Body Warm, But My Feet Are Cold?

A: When you’re exposed to cold temperatures, you might notice your feet and hands are the first to get cold, but your chest and torso are still warm. Since your feet are furthest away from your heart, it can take longer for your blood to circulate through the limbs of your body. This can cause your hands and feet to take longer to warm up.

Q: Who Can Develop Cold Feet?

A: Cold feet can affect anyone. You might experience cold feet if you live in an area with a cool climate. Although, cold feet are more common among people with autoimmune conditions, pre-existing circulation problems, orconditions that affect the hormones in the body or the nervous system. Some conditions that cause cold feet as a symptom can include autoimmune conditions, such as anemia, heart disease, nerve conditions like fibromyalgia, or peripheral artery disease.

Q: How Are Cold Feet Diagnosed?

A: Since symptoms of cold feet can relate to other conditions or medications you currently take, your provider will begin your diagnosis by gathering information about your medical history. A physical exam will follow, where your provider will look for nerve damage or any injuries that could cause cold feet. Your provider will offer tests to rule out any conditions that might cause cold feet as a symptom.

Q: How Are Cold Feet Treated?

A: There are several ways to treat cold feet. You can treat cold feet by managing any underlying medical conditions that cause cold feet as a symptom. You can also remedy cold feet at home by wearing warm socks, exercising regularly, wearing compression socks or stockings, elevating your legs with a pillow when lying down, and staying hydrated.