Cold Hands

Overview

In spite of the fact that you are not in a chilly environment, it is typical to have cold hands. It is important to address cold hands since they are a typical sign of your body trying to regulate its temperature and should be treated as such. Many people experience numbness and tingling in their hands on a regular basis. While working outside in the cold or inside in a climate-controlled setting, it is possible for hands to get temporarily frozen.

Having consistently chilly hands, particularly when they are accompanied by changes in skin color, may suggest nerve injury, blood flow issues, or tissue damage in the hands or fingertips. Changes in the color of your skin, for example, may be a warning sign of frostbite if you are standing outdoors in extremely cold weather with numb hands and your skin is changing color.

Causes

Hands that are chilly may be caused by a variety of reasons, including being in a freezing room or other cold environment, among other things. A frequent occurrence is the development of cold hands, which signals that your body is trying to control its own internal temperature. On the other hand, if you have a problem with your blood circulation or the blood vessels in your fingers and hands, this may cause cold hands.

If you have hands while it is warm or mild outdoors, or if your hands take an abnormally long time to warm up after being exposed to cold, you may have a disease or condition that is causing inadequate blood flow to your hands. The ulnar and radial arteries are blood channels that transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the fingers and hands. When exposed to cold temperatures, the muscles around these arteries tighten, causing the arteries to constrict. This is a natural reaction that enables the body to save heat while also protecting critical organs like the heart and lungs from damage or sickness.

Unexpected blood vessel constrictions may occur even when there is no obvious cause for them to do so. Vasospasm, or constriction of the blood vessels, is what produces cold dead hands in cold weather. The skin of the fingers and hands may change color depending on the circumstances, from pink to blue or even white. When your hands are touched during the period when blood flow is restored, they may appear red and warm. Vasospasms that occur often or over an extended period of time may cause skin ulceration and tissue damage.

Symptoms

If you are suffering from cold hands symptoms, keep an eye out for the following:

• Cold feet or toes
• Hands may appear blue or white
• Numbness and tingling
• Opened blisters or sores
• Skin tightening or hardening

Cold hands and feet are also linked with anxiety. The body would direct blood to the most vital organs — the heart and major muscles – to guarantee their survival in case of emergency or anxiety. To protect the important organs, blood is drawn away from the extremities, causing numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Thereby causing the hands to be cold.

Diagnosis

Your hand specialist will assist you in determining whether you have a disease and, if so, whether the cause of the condition is located in your hand’s blood vessels. If not, primary care physicians will help you get checked by other specialists (such as a rheumatologist, hematologist, or oncologist) to see if you have a cold-hand-related systemic disease.

Treatment

Cold hands-related disorders can be treated with the following medications:

• Including blood flow-enhancing behaviors such as:
• Hand hygiene and skin care are essential.
• Wearing the proper hand protection and warmth
• Healthy temperature regulation
• Smoking cessation
• Medication
• Injections of steroids
• Surgery

Consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action.

When To See A Doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you are worried about the fact that your hands and feet are always chilly. Your doctor will be able to determine if your chilly hands are caused by an issue with blood flow or a problem with nerves. The ultimate aim of therapy is to determine what is causing your chilly hands and feet in the first place. Depending on the severity of your illness, your doctor may recommend that you make adjustments to your lifestyle to assist relieve your cold hands symptoms.

If your hands and feet are consistently chilly, regardless of the weather or the temperature of the place in which you are seated, see your doctor. It is possible that you have an undiagnosed illness or condition that needs medical attention.

Your doctor will recommend lifestyle modifications to help you manage your symptoms based on the severity of your illness.

Summary 

Cold hands can be a common physiological response to cold environments, but persistent coldness may indicate underlying health issues such as nerve damage, circulatory problems, or blood vessel disorders. While occasional numbness, tingling, or skin discoloration can occur in response to cold temperatures, consistently cold hands—particularly when the skin appears blue, white, or pink—might signal more serious conditions like vasospasm. Vasospasm involves the constriction of blood vessels without an obvious cause, potentially leading to skin ulceration or tissue damage if untreated.

The causes of cold hands can range from simple exposure to cold environments to more complex circulatory issues. The ulnar and radial arteries, which supply blood to the fingers and hands, can constrict due to cold temperatures. This is a normal response aimed at preserving body heat, but abnormal constriction can occur, leading to cold hands even in warmer settings. For instance, Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition characterized by exaggerated responses to cold or stress, affects about 5-10% of the population in the United States.

Symptoms to watch for include blue or white skin, numbness, tingling, and blisters or sores. Anxiety can exacerbate cold hands by causing the body to redirect blood flow to vital organs, thereby cooling the extremities. 

Treatment options vary from lifestyle modifications such as improving hand hygiene and wearing appropriate hand protection to medical interventions like steroid injections, medications, or surgery in severe cases.

For persistent symptoms, it is essential to consult a doctor to diagnose any potential underlying systemic issues and develop an effective treatment plan.

-Disclaimer-

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about cold hands or any other medical condition, please see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment suggestions.