Why Are My Hands, Feet and Nose SO Cold?

It is typical when temperatures start to turn cold to feel that your hands, feet, and nose feel colder than the rest of your body. Your body’s blood circulation takes longer to get to these extremities. When your body responds to colder temperatures its normal response is to focus all blood flow to the trunk of the body, where your vital organs are. This helps make sure the vital organs are keeping warm and functioning properly.

When you start to notice that your hands, feet, and nose are more cold than not it can sometimes be a bit concerning. Usually there is no cause for worry. In some cases this constant coldness of these parts of your body can be a sign of an underlying condition. Especially if it is accompanied with other symptoms like a change in skin color or it is occurring more than it isn’t. It is important to know your body’s baseline, so you know if it is just your body reacting to a change in temperature or something more. Some people can have colder hands and feet naturally in a normal controlled setting than other people. Your nose is quicker to become cold because it is mostly made up of cartilage, and has no insulating fats.

Causes Of Cold Hands, Feet and Nose

There are a number of causes for your hands, feet, and nose to feel cold. This can be as easy as just the cold temperatures. Normal body temperature for most people ranges from 97 degrees Fahrenheit to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Any dip from your normal baseline can cause your blood flow to be focused on your vital organs. This can leave your hands, feet, and nose colder than normal.

Poor circulation can also be a cause. Poor circulation is when you have inadequate blood flow to a certain part of your body. This can happen from a number of things; obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or arterial issues. Peripheral artery disease can cause poor circulation or a diabetes complication.

Raynaud’s disease is a condition that causes fingers and toes to turn white or blue and to become numb. This condition is triggered by cold temperatures or stress. You can have Raynaud’s disease on its own, or you can have something that causes secondary Raynaud’s. Those include scleroderma, Lupus, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your thyroid is a gland in your neck that is in charge of hormone production. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. It is underactive. A main symptom of hypothyroidism is cold sensitivity. Other symptoms include muscle aches, weight gain, dry scaly skin, brittle nails and hair, and slow movements or thoughts.

Something else that can cause cold nose, hands, and feet is anemia. This is when you have low iron levels. It can also cause you to feel tired. A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause cold nose, hands, and feet. High cholesterol can also be a cause. Stress, smoking, or hypothermia are all causes as well.

Ways To Combat Cold Hands, Feet and Nose

The main thing you can do to combat cold hands, feet, and nose is to dress appropriately. Layer clothing. When going outside, wear a hat. Wear a scarf to be able to pull up around your nose. Mittens or gloves to help keep your hands warm. You can also wear foot warmers or hand warmers. Suitable footwear. Wool socks can help hold in the heat.

When leaving the house, allow time to let your car warm up.

Increase your activity level. Adding in little breaks to help get your blood pumping and your heart pounding can help increase blood flow throughout your body.

If you are a smoker, another lifestyle change you can make is to stop smoking.

If you suffer from an underlying condition that causes your cold hands, feet, and nose, finding the underlying cause can be the first step in helping. Your doctor will be able to run tests to find out if there are any underlying causes. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, the main treatment is thyroid hormone medication. Anemia treatment either will include having a high iron diet, or taking iron supplements. Vitamin B12 deficiencies will need supplementation as well. Making sure your diabetes stays treated is also important.

Try to limit stress and learn how to manage it appropriately.

Takeaway

Cold hands, nose and feet are common. Usually they are no cause for concern. Unless they are happening all the time or with other symptoms. Then you will want to reach out to your doctor to see if there is an underlying condition that is causing these cold spells to continue to occur.

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