Cold hands are a common yet irritating experience in winter. It is normal for your hands to feel cold in low temperatures, but constant or unusual cold hands may indicate some medical conditions. So, finding the environmental and medical causes becomes essential because this helps to identify health concerns early and choose the right solutions.
Why Do Hands Get Cold?
In our body, the hands first get cold because they are extremities far from the core, where your body works hardest to maintain warmth.
Blood vessels in the hands tighten in cold environments to maintain core body temperature. This physiological response is normal, but when it becomes chronic or extreme, it may need attention.
Environmental Causes of Cold Hands
Here are a few environmental factors that are the most common reasons for cold hands. They include:
Cold Weather Exposure
Low outdoor temperatures reduce skin surface temperature. Without proper gloves or hand protection, blood flow to the hands decreases. It results in cold, stiff, or even numb fingers.
Poor Insulation or Clothing
If you wear gloves without proper insulation or layering, then it can cause rapid cooling of the hands, especially during long outdoor activities like snow shoveling, skiing, or hiking.
Wind Chill
Even mild temperatures can feel much colder due to wind chill. Wind strips away the thin layer of warm air on the skin’s surface. It promotes heat loss and causes hands to feel much colder than the actual air temperature.
Wet Conditions
If your hands contain moisture due to snow, rain, or sweat, it can quickly decrease skin temperature. Wet skin loses heat 25 times faster than dry skin. That's why water-resistant gloves are essential in cold environments.
Medical Causes of Cold Hands
There are many ways to keep hands warm, but if your hands are cold even when you are inside or wearing warm clothing, there must be some medical reason behind it. Let's find out:
Raynaud’s Disease
It is a condition in which blood vessels in the fingers and toes overreact to cold or stress. They become excessively narrow and cause numbness, cold sensations, and even discoloration (white or blue fingers). It's more common in women and people in colder climates.
Poor Circulation
If your blood is not flowing properly to the extremities, your hands may feel constantly cold. Conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD), atherosclerosis, or heart disease can restrict circulation and lead to cold hands.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid gland slows down metabolism and reduces the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Cold hands and feet are common symptoms of hypothyroidism, along with fatigue, dry skin, and weight gain.
Anemia
If you have a low blood cell count, then it also reduces the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. As a result, the body prioritizes blood flow to vital organs, leaving extremities like the hands colder than normal.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves, which can lead to circulation problems and cold extremities. It can also increase the risk of developing Raynaud’s.
Chronic Stress or Anxiety
The body’s stress response can trigger vasoconstriction. It is the narrowing of the blood vessels that limits blood flow to the hands and feet. This can happen even in normal room temperatures if the stress is frequent or intense.
When to See a Doctor?
Occasional cold hands during winter are normal and harmless. However, you should visit a doctor if you experience:
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Cold hands even in warm environments
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Discoloration (blue, white, or red fingers)
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Numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands
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Ulcers or sores that don’t heal
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Cold hands accompanied by fatigue or weight changes
Heated Gloves: A Reliable Solution for Cold Hands
If you are looking for a reliable solution for cold hands, look no further than ArcFomor's heated gloves! They are a perfect way to keep your hands warm. ArcFomor's range of gloves also includes those specially designed for Raynaud's or people with certain medical conditions.
They contain built-in battery-powered heating elements that actively warm the fingers and back of the hand. These high-quality heated gloves offer multiple heat settings, water-resistant exteriors, and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries that provide 6 to 11 hours of warmth on a single charge.
Some models even come with touchscreen-compatible fingertips so that you can use your mobile phone easily without removing your gloves.
Final Thoughts
Constant or unusual cold hands are a sign of some medical or environmental conditions. Understanding the medical and environmental reasons for cold hands is the first step for getting relief and protecting your health.
Stay informed & stay warm!
