Hands and Feet Are Cold
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Try one of these related symptoms.
My hands and feet are cold
Cold hands
Cold legs
Cold extremities
The soles get cold
Cold hands and/or feet
Always cold
About the Symptom
It describes the feeling of cold extremities all the time, no matter what the weather is outside or temperature around the individual. Sometimes. people will also notice their fingertips and toes may change colors. This may be an isolated finding or come together with a number of other symptoms. There are also many potential causes.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Chest tightness
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
- Palpitation
- Back pain
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- Peripheral cyanosis
- Chest pain
Possible Causes
Generally, Hands and feet are cold can be related to:
- Buerger's Disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans)
This is a rare inflammatory disease affecting the arms and legs due to blood clots of the small and medium-sized arteries and veins. It is not due to blockage from fats and cholesterols. It tends to happen in younger men who are heavy smokers and can lead to complete loss of blood to fingertips requiring amputation.
- Diabetic Gangrene
With this condition, a wound (often in the feet) does not heal well due to diabetes. Diabetes weakens circulation and the immune system resulting in poor wound healing. Diabetes also decreases sensation in the extremities so people often do not have pain or notice the tissue until it is completed dead. The tissue becomes black and dry appearing as it completely dies off. This wound may also become a source of infection leading to spread of infection to other parts of the body.
- Bullous Disease of Diabetes
A condition in which blisters appear on the arms, hands and legs, typically seen in long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes.
- Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Scleroderma
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Hands and feet are cold may be related to these serious diseases:
- Frostbite
Frostbite is a skin injury that happens after exposure to low temperatures. The skin freezes and blood vessels constrict.
- Myocardial Infarction (MI) / Unstable Angina
- Aortic Dissection / Aortic Aneurysm Rupture
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you often have cold hands and feet?
- When did you first notice having cold hands and feet?
- How often do you experience cold hands and feet?
- How are your cold hands and feet now?
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Dec 17, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Why Is My Nose Always Cold? Causes and 10 Steps to Improve Circulation
A.
A persistently cold nose is often a normal heat conservation response, but it can also signal poor circulation, Raynaud’s, low blood pressure, anemia, thyroid problems, stress, smoking, or caffeine sensitivity. There are several factors to consider; see below for red flags like repeated white or blue color changes, pain, numbness, or slow healing that need prompt care. You will also find 10 practical ways to improve circulation and warmth, from regular movement and strategic layering to hydration, iron-rich foods, stress management, cutting nicotine and excess caffeine, and when to seek testing.
References:
* Deschamps D, Ghasar S, Perrault A, Poncet N, Cédric A. The cold nose: an index of stress. Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 24;12(1):4954. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-09090-z. PMID: 35332155; PMCID: PMC8948130.
* Yoshida K, Masuoka T, Tanaka M, Satoh N, Sakanishi A, Yoshikawa T. Relationship between nasal skin temperature and sympathetic nervous activity. J Physiol Anthropol. 2008 Feb;27(1):15-22. doi: 10.2114/jpa2.27.15. PMID: 18323602.
* Wang Y, Cao Z, Wang Y. Evaluation of facial skin microcirculation in healthy volunteers with laser Doppler imaging. Skin Res Technol. 2018 Jan;24(1):e27-e32. doi: 10.1111/srt.12402. Epub 2017 Jul 25. PMID: 28741366.
* Charkoudian N. Local skin temperature changes and microvascular blood flow regulation. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2010 Sep;109(3):857-9. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00613.2010. Epub 2010 Jul 1. PMID: 20595561; PMCID: PMC2937016.
* Padilla-Zambrano H, Sanchez-Pacheco AM, Herrera-Uribe F, Charris-Polanco C, Maestre-Díaz J. Non-pharmacological approaches to improve microvascular function. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2021;78(1):1-10. doi: 10.3233/CH-201103. PMID: 33716179.
Q.
Can't Sleep Because of Cold Feet? Best Ways to Warm Up Fast
A.
Cold feet at bedtime are common and usually harmless; to warm up fast, try a 10 to 15 minute warm foot soak, wear breathable wool or thermal socks, use brief low heat from a heating pad or hot water bottle without sleeping on it, do a few minutes of gentle foot and ankle movement, and keep the bedroom toward the warmer end of the ideal 60 to 67°F range. There are several factors to consider that could change your next steps, especially if symptoms are frequent or include pain, numbness, color changes, or one colder foot or if you have diabetes, since causes can include anemia, hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, diabetic nerve or circulation problems, or Raynaud's; see below for detailed red flags, prevention tips, and when to seek care.
References:
* Kräuchi K, Cajochen C, Werth E, Wirz-Justice A. Warm feet promote the rapid onset of sleep. Nature. 1999 Sep 2;401(6748):36-7. doi: 10.1038/43366. PMID: 10471900.
* Kräuchi K. The thermophysiological cascade leading to sleep initiation. Sleep Med Rev. 2007 Aug;11(4):259-71. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2007.03.001. Epub 2007 May 17. PMID: 17509934.
* Raymann RJ, Swaab DF, Van Someren EJ. Skin temperature and sleep-onset latency: changes with age and insomnia. Physiol Behav. 2008 Feb 28;93(3):578-86. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.10.027. Epub 2007 Oct 29. PMID: 18037341.
* Hachisu M, Sato T, Tanioka K, Noda Y, Uchi M, Miura T, Miyata M. Effects of foot-baths on the autonomic nervous system and sleep in healthy subjects. J Physiol Anthropol. 2011;30(6):275-80. doi: 10.2114/jpa2.30.275. Epub 2011 Nov 22. PMID: 22108173.
* Ko M, Lee H, Jung S, Jeong H, Kim M, Lee JY. Effects of wearing socks on sleep quality and foot temperature in young adults. J Physiol Anthropol. 2021 May 26;40(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s40101-021-00269-x. PMID: 34044955; PMCID: PMC8154865.
Q.
Can't Sleep with Cold Toes? The Best Remedies for Aging Circulation
A.
Cold toes at night are common as circulation changes with age and are often manageable; warming feet before bed, wearing breathable wool socks, doing light evening movement, keeping your core warm, staying active during the day, and managing conditions like diabetes, thyroid issues, anemia, high blood pressure, and cholesterol can help. There are several factors to consider. New or worsening calf pain with walking, persistent numbness or color changes, nonhealing sores, or one foot suddenly much colder can signal peripheral artery disease and need prompt care; see the complete guidance below for what to avoid, when compression is appropriate, helpful nutrition and lab checks, and the next steps to discuss with your doctor.
References:
* Krauchi, K. (2018). Thermal environment and sleep. *Handbook of Clinical Neurology*, *156*, 3-13. PMID: 29849514
* Ungvari, Z., Tarantini, S., Donato, A. J., & Seals, D. R. (2020). Physiology of vascular aging. *Physiological Reviews*, *100*(1), 223-274. PMID: 31800171
* Wang, Z., Huang, W., Jin, S., Ma, J., Wang, Z., & Gao, R. (2015). Sleep disturbance in patients with peripheral artery disease. *Journal of Vascular Surgery*, *62*(3), 705-711. PMID: 26038933
* Parmenter, B. A., & McDermott, M. M. (2018). Exercise training in peripheral artery disease: a comprehensive review. *Journal of Applied Physiology*, *125*(6), 1969-1981. PMID: 30165977
* Li, H., Li, X., Lei, B., Lin, H., Li, G., Zhou, S., & Li, C. (2017). The effect of foot massage on sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Journal of Clinical Nursing*, *26*(21-22), 3326-3336. PMID: 28834927
Q.
Why are my feet always cold?
A.
Cold feet can be caused by poor blood flow or conditions like Parkinson's disease and acrocyanosis, which affect how blood reaches your feet.
References:
Svedberg LE, Stener-Victorin E, Nordahl G, & Lundeberg T. (2005). Skin temperature in the extremities of healthy and .... European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society, 16061412.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16061412/
Kataoka H, & Ueno S. (2016). Severe Cold Lower Limbs in Patients with Parkinson's .... Neurology international, 27994829.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27994829/
Das S, & Maiti A. (2013). Acrocyanosis: an overview. Indian journal of dermatology, 24249890.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Cold Hands or Feet: Is It Raynaud's or Not? Med Clin North Am. 2023 Sep;107(5):829-844. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.04.005. Epub 2023 Jun 4. PMID: 37541711.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37541711/