You are not alone if you find yourself constantly covering up cold feet with socks or a blanket.
Experiencing cold feet, mainly when temperatures are low, is not rare.
That said, there are a few chronicbut manageablehealth conditions that could potentially lead to this uncomfortable symptom.
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Poor Circulation
Poor blood circulation indicates that blood is not being pumped efficiently throughout the body.
This might happen when blood vessels are too constricted (narrowed) or expanded.
Poor circulation can lead to cold feet,dehydration, inflammation, andsickle cell disease.
Anemia
Anemiais a lack of healthyred blood cells.
This causes the body to not get adequate oxygen, leading to poor blood circulation.
Diabetes
With diabetes, your body isn’t able to produce or properly utilize the blood sugarregulating hormone insulin.
Known asdiabetic peripheral neuropathy, this often leads to issues with temperature sensation and could manifest as cold feet.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid produces essential hormones and helps regulate body temperature.
Studies also show that other symptoms may accompany cold feet within this group.
Some researchers suggest that treating cold feet alone may not be enough and requires more comprehensive care.
In addition, levels of the female hormoneestrogencan fluctuate throughout various stages of the reproductive years.
A few risk factors could make it more likely for a person to experience cold feet.
Research suggests these are:
Do I Need a Diagnosis?
Cold Hands vs.
Cold Feet
The difference betweencold handsand cold feet may come from the environment.
Engage in physical activity to increase circulation and elevate your body temperature.
This includes people with Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Summary
Cold feet can result from the weather or simply feeling chillier than usual.
A healthcare provider can investigate your cold feet pattern to determine a cause and appropriate treatment plan.
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