Why Are My Feet Always Cold? Doctor-Approved Ways to Boost Circulation Naturally
Stress, thyroid troubles and even your diet could trigger icy feet
While cold temperatures or walking barefoot on tile floors are bound to make your tootsies chilly, dealing with constantly-frigid feet is no fun. If donning a blanket or cozy socks doesn’t chase away the chill, you may wonder, “Why are my feet always cold?” As it turns out, certain health conditions could be the reason. Here, doctors dive into some common causes of cold feet and easy home remedies that restore the warmth.
Why are my feet always cold? 5 common causes
Our experts say cold extremities are frequently caused by one (or more) of these underlying conditions:
Poor circulation
Inadequate blood flow is one of the most common causes of always-cold feet. It can be triggered by:
Woman's World Answers
- Diabetes
- Long periods of inactivity
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Chronic stress
- Medications such as beta-blockers, migraine medicine or some decongestants
- Blood disorders like anemia
- Consuming large amounts of caffeine or alcohol
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
“When blood flow is restricted to and/or in the lower extremities due to conditions such as peripheral artery disease (the narrowing of blood vessels that’s usually caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries), circulation becomes inadequate and the extremities become cold,” says Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com. She adds this happens because the muscles and tissues don’t have the oxygen and nutrients required to sustain enough heat.
Raynaud’s disease
“Raynaud’s disease is a common condition in which the small blood vessels in the fingers and toes constrict in response to cold and/or stress, reducing blood flow to the affected extremities,” says Dr. Connor. “It’s common for people with Raynaud’s Disease to experience fingers and/or toes turning white due to lack of blood flow and to feel cold and/or numb until blood flow is restored.”
Nerve damage
Another possible cause of cold feet is nerve damage, which is often linked to diabetes. This is when your feet feel cold but aren’t cold to the touch. In addition to cold feet, nerve damage can cause tingling, numbness or a burning sensation, explains Hussain Ahmad, MD, a consultant practitioner at Click2Pharmacy.
In some cases, “people with peripheral neuropathy may not notice injuries or infections in their feet because of reduced sensation, increasing the risk of complications,” adds Dr. Ahmad. This is why regular foot checks are important, especially for those with diabetes.
Other causes of peripheral neuropathy may be due to infections, liver or kidney disease or vitamin insufficiency, such as B12, adds Margaret Eagan, MD, founder and CEO at Rousia.
Underactive thyroid
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, can also be responsible for your cold feet. “If your thyroid doesn’t release enough hormones, it could make you feel cold everywhere, including your feet,” says Dr. Eagan.
An underactive thyroid also slows the body’s metabolism, “including its ability to regulate temperature,” Dr. Connor says. “This can contribute to feelings of being cold and/or having cold feet as the body struggles to retain/maintain heat,” adds Dr. Connor.
How to treat feet that are always cold
While addressing the underlying cause of your cold feet is the best way to get lasting relief, these home remedies can help restore some warmth in the meantime.
Get exercising
Regular physical activity is a great way to improve circulation throughout the body. Dr. Connor suggests approximately 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly (that’s just under 22 minutes a day). “As the heart pumps more blood, circulation increases and delivers oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and tissues,” she says.
Try compression socks
If you struggle with poor circulation, try compression socks. “These support venous circulation back up the leg and reduce swelling, particularly if poor circulation is due to a medical condition such as varicose veins or PAD,” says Dr. Connor.
Avoid smoking
We know that smoking can cause health issues such as lung damage, high blood pressure and more. But it also restricts blood flow and can exacerbate the symptoms of poor circulation if you have cold legs and feet, notes Dr. Connor.
Soak your feet in paraffin wax
Dr. Eagan says that paraffin wax, a skin-softening warm wax made from petroleum, helps warm up cold feet by increasing blood flow. “Soak your feet in warm, liquid paraffin wax, then wrap them in towels and a plastic bag to keep the heat in.” Remove after 15-20minutes. She recommends doing once a week or once every two weeks depending on your health needs.
When to see a doctor for cold feet
You should see a doctor if your cold feet are persistent or worsen over time, explains Dr. Connor. “Pain, numbness and/or tingling in the feet are also reasons to see a doctor, as they could be an indication of a more serious underlying health condition,” she says.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
