Having cold hands, even though the rest of the body remains warm and the temperature is comfortable, could indicate a health problem. Know the causes of cold extremities and when to see a doctor.
Many people have gotten used to always having cold hands and do not give it importance, beyond the feeling of discomfort that leads them to try to warm them by placing them on another warmer area of their body, such as the neck, for example, or to Sometimes they cannot avoid the temptation to use them as a ‘throwing weapon’ and place them on someone else’s neck.
It is also common for them to take longer to heat them after being exposed to the cold after being outdoors in winter or indoors, but with air conditioning, or after immersing them in cold water or touching food that was in the fridge or the oven. freezer.
Usually it’s not something to worry about, just one more quirk because not everyone has the same tolerance for cold or heat, but when hands stay cold in warm or warm room temperature conditions, or take too long to warm up, it could be due to poor blood circulation and should consult a doctor to prevent possible complications.
Why do I have cold hands: causes and when is it pathological
In addition to exposure to a cold environment, or handling objects at low temperatures, the hands can get cold due to illness or a health problem, among other causes such as:
Poor blood circulation: it may happen that the blood does not reach the extremities well, in this case the fingers of the hands. This may be related to unhealthy habits, such as a sedentary lifestyle, since physical exercise favors blood flow, or the consumption of a diet rich in poor quality fats, which increases the risk of atherosclerosis, an accumulation of cholesterol and fat in the the arteries causing them to narrow and hampering blood circulation.
Smoking: Smoking can also cause a narrowing of the arteries.
Hormonal causes: women are more likely to have cold feet and hands, especially at certain times in their lives, such as during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, or in menopause, a stage in which, Although hot flashes are the most striking sign, this phenomenon can also be experienced.
Changes in blood pressure: changes in blood pressure can also result in cold hands; Thus, in the case of hypotension, or a drop in blood pressure levels below normal, blood flow to the extremities decreases, while with hypertension the blood runs through the veins with too much force and the affected person can also feel cold hands
Stress or anxiety: when we are very nervous or have to face a very stressful situation for us, our hands can sweat, but they can also freeze because the blood supply is altered.
Poorly controlled diabetes: if the diabetic patient does not follow adequate treatment, the disease can affect circulation and prevent blood from reaching the extremities correctly.
Anemia: there is a decrease in red blood cells and, as these are responsible for transporting oxygen to all the organs of the body, oxygenation is deficient and the temperature is poorly regulated, especially in the extremities.
Hypothyroidism: one of whose symptoms is the inability to tolerate cold.
Warning signs of cold hands: when to go to the doctor
In any case, there is no need to be alarmed, because the simple fact of having cold hands without any other associated symptoms is not a sign of being sick. It is important to clarify, for example, that although cold is one of the triggers for Raynaud’s phenomenon, in which there is a temporary narrowing of the blood vessels that affects the fingers and toes and causes a change in color in them, “having cold or pale hands in general is not Raynaud’s phenomenon”, states Dr. José María Álvaro-Gracia, Head of the Rheumatology Service at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid, who explains that “the phenomenon of Raynaud’s is a localized vasospasm, it does not affect the whole hand, but some parts of it, or some fingers, and not even the whole finger, but the two distal phalanges, for example. In other words, it is a partial vasoconstriction, not a generalized vasoconstriction, which is what happens to people who have cold hands when it is cold”.
There are certain warning signs for which you should see a doctor, for example:
If the hands are cold even when you are hot.
If you feel tingling or numbness in them.
If they have changes in color, sores or rashes.
If the skin on your hands is tight or hardened.
Tips to relieve cold hands
If you have an identified health problem, an appropriate treatment can prevent or reduce cold hands. In any case, if the coldness of your hands is not due to a serious issue, here are some tips that will also help you warm them up:
Keep your hands and feet warm before going outdoors when the weather is cool, better if they are garments made with natural fibers such as wool and cotton. You can also wear insulated gloves or mitts when handling cold objects.
Take care of the skin on your hands with proper hygiene – wash your hands with warm water, especially in winter – and keeping them well hydrated. To do this, it is best to apply a good moisturizer based on lanolin daily (several times a day if necessary), a natural wax that will prevent the skin from cracking.
Use hand warmers. In addition to the traditional hot water bag or electric blanket that you can have at home if you can’t get warm, there are many models on the market specifically designed for the hands (there are rechargeable batteries, batteries…), and even heating pads that you can put in your gloves to keep them very warm.
Do not expose yourself to sudden changes in temperature, such as entering a room with a very strong air conditioning when you come from a warm area. It is also not advisable to put very cold hands in very hot water. Think that the cold will have made you lose sensitivity in your hands and you could even burn yourself
Avoid stress or learn to better cope with stressful situations. Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga.
Perform physical exercise regularly because it activates circulation and helps to warm up the whole body. If you have been standing for a while because you are working in front of the computer, or watching TV, for example, you can get up and move your arms in a circle to promote blood circulation.
Place your hands under the armpits until they recover their temperature (hugging oneself is not bad at all).
Do not smoke or drink alcohol and reduce caffeine intake. Alcohol not only harms your general health, but in this specific case it dilates the blood vessels and this causes us to lose heat, although we do not feel cold because it has a sedative effect on the nervous system. Tobacco, on the other hand, is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it hinders blood circulation, worsening the sensation of cold in the extremities.
