As humans, we have adapted to a warm climate. Whenever our bodies are exposed to the cold, our organs work to keep us warm. However, it is not always successful.
Sometimes we can experience chronic cold hands and feet, and we need to take some steps to help our body keep us warm. In this guide, we will learn the causes of cold hands and feet and what you can do to keep them warm.
The Causes Of Cold Feet And Hands
Yes, cold weather is one reason why our hands and feet may always remain cold. However, there are other causes too that have nothing to do with the temperature outside. These include:
- High anxiety and stress
- Poor blood circulation
- Anemia
- Nerve disorders
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
All these problems lead to cold feet and hands. If you experience medical problems from this list, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, etc., then you should consult your doctor on what you can do to keep your hands and feet warm.
However, if you have poor circulation, high stress, and anxiety, or you can’t stand the cold temperature, then there are many ways you can stay warm at home.
How To Remedy Cold Feet And Hands
If you are experiencing cold feet or hands, here are some steps you can take to stay warm:
#1. Wear Layers
If the temperature is cold and you can’t take the extreme weather, you should always keep yourself warm with clothing. You can wear socks, gloves, beanies, a jacket, and much more for warmth.
However, it would help if you kept in mind that you should not wear clothes too tight at a cold temperature. Doing so will make your blood circulation poor, and you will end up feeling colder. So, always wear warm but loose clothes.
If you feel cold inside the house despite the heat being on, then always wear warm socks and a sweater to keep your hands and feet warm. Clothing goes a long way in keeping us warm, but if that doesn’t work for you, you can utilize the various other methods, which brings us to our next point.
#2. Include Some Movement
When you sit in one place for too long, your blood flow will restrict, and your hands and feet will end up feeling cold. That is why you should always keep moving from time to time. Take out the time to get up after every half an hour to work around or stretch.
If you experience cold feet and hands because of sitting on the desk all day, you need to improve your circulation by moving. Just start walking around the office or do some light stretches in your workspace.
However, if you generally experience cold feet and hands, then you should exercise regularly. Exercising will improve your circulation, and it will keep you warm throughout the day. If you don’t have time to do a proper workout, you should jog or run for at least ten to fifteen minutes daily.
#3. Avoid Nicotine And Caffeine
Caffeine and nicotine restrict our blood flow. Smoking tobacco products such as cigarettes will make it challenging for the blood to reach all parts of your body. So, if you are a consistent smoker, then your cold feet and hands may be because of your smoking habits.
That is why you should either reduce your nicotine consumption or cut it out from your life altogether. Besides that, caffeine is a vasoconstrictor too. You may feel warm on the inside after drinking hot coffee, but it can exaggerate the coldness later.
Your blood flow will restrict, and you will feel cold once the warmth of the coffee has faded away. So, as a general rule of thumb, you should avoid caffeine and nicotine if you experience cold feet and hands frequently, even if it is not the winter season.
#4. Use A Heating Pad
Do you have trouble sleeping at night due to cold feet and hands? Don’t worry. You can remedy this in an instant. All you will need is a heating pad to keep your hands and feet warm before sleeping.
Place the heating pad on your feet or at the foot of the bed before sleeping so the area can stay warm before you go to sleep. If you plan on keeping it on your feet, you should remember not to place the pad directly as it can cause a burn if the pad is too hot.
Always keep a cloth between the heating pad and your skin so that your body doesn’t get burnt. These precautions are important in keeping your feet safe. You can also place your hands on the heating pad to keep them warm before you go to sleep.
Of course, this remedy is not just for before bedtime. You can use a heating pad during any time of the day or night to keep your feet and hands warm.
#5. Use Paraffin Wax To Keep Feet And Hands Warm
Paraffin wax is fantastic at retaining heat in the body. It is easily available, and you can buy them from anywhere. There are even kits available in the market that you can utilize to keep your feet and hands warm.
Once you get your paraffin wax, all you have to do is immerse your feet and hands in the wax and then wrap a plastic bag around them. Doing so will keep the heat in. Leave this on for ten to fifteen minutes, and after that, you can wrap your feet and hands in towels.
The best part about paraffin wax is that it will keep your hands and feet warm while also moisturizing them. Once you take your feet and hands out, they will feel soft and supple like never before. That is because it hydrates your skin, too, other than keeping it warm.
#6. Use A Massager On Your Feet And Hands
An airbag heating foot massager can go a long way in providing warmth to your feet and hands, but you must be wondering how. Well, the answer is simple. The massager improves blood circulation by sending vibrations in your body.
When you use a massager on your feet and hands, the vibrations will calm the muscles. Besides that, they will also activate your circulation. Your blood will flow to your feet and hands, and soon the coldness will dissipate.
That is why you should always keep a massager at home. It will allow you to keep yourself warm without doing much as you will have to roll the massager on areas you want to keep warm. It will also release your feet and hands of the stiffness caused by the cold.
#7. Soak Your Feet And Hands In Hot Water
Dipping your feet and hands in warm water is one of the quickest and effective ways of relieving cold feet and hands. All you have to do is fill w small tub with warm water and dip your feet and hands for ten to fifteen minutes.
Doing so will provide warmth to your feet and hands, and it will also ensure that your blood is circulated to your entire body throughout the day. Do this before you start your day, and you will experience warm feet and hands all day.
However, you can also do this before bed. It will help your muscles to relax by relieving any tension you are experiencing. Always remember to check the water before dipping your feet and hands. If it is too hot, you may burn yourself in the process.
When You Should Seek Medical Help
Experiencing cold feet and hands from time to time is completely normal. However, it may be the cause of a much larger issue if you consistently have cold feet and hands. That is when you should call your doctor and seek medical help.
Besides that, if you experience cold hands and feet along with other symptoms, even then, you should call a doctor. These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Weight gain or loss
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Sores
These symptoms mean that you have a medical problem, so you will have to seek medical help. Another thing to keep in mind is that if your feet feel cold from the inside, but when you touch your skin, and it’s warm, then that may be a sign of nerve damage.
In that case, also you should seek medical help as you don’t want to leave such a problem lingering on for too long. Prevention is better than treatment.
Final Words
That was your complete guide to remedying cold feet and hands. Many people experience this, but it can become a problem if it happens chronically. So, always keep a check on your health and be aware of what is happening in your body.
If these remedies don’t work, then don’t be afraid to call a medical professional. They will guide you on what changes you need to make to keep your feet and hands warm and toasty.
