Do You Have Cold Toes? Here’s Why.

Have you ever wondered why your fingers and toes are always cold in the winter time? Do you find yourself constantly warming up your hands and putting layers of socks on? Not to worry, cold toes are perfectly normal, says Asheboro podiatrist, Dr. Richard Sikora of Triad Foot Center.

The colder climate naturally cools your body temperature down. This causes your body to switch to ‘survival mode’ to help keep your core temperature stabilized by constricting and limiting your blood flow to the outer extremities.  The result?  Icy fingers and toes.

If you’re tired of constantly warming up your toes and fingers, invest in warm socks and shoes, mittens and heat inserts. Exercising and drinking hot beverages are also recommended to keep your extremities warm. Movement keeps the blood flowing, and those warm drinks will literally heat you from the inside out.

However, if your fingers and toes are frequently cold and are a whitish color, there could be a bigger underlying cause, such as Raynaud’s Disease. This condition is a response to cold weather stress and temperatures. The arteries in your fingers enter what’s called “vasospasm,” where the blood vessels constrict and limit blood supply.  Pale coloration is a common symptom.

If you’re suffering from cardiovascular disease or have a history of high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes, you could have blockages in the small blood vessels. This doesn’t help in the winter months, and you may have cold hands and feet as a result.

Keeping your extremities warm in cold temperatures is more important than just being comfortable. Prolonged exposure to the harsh elements can result in frostbite, which can ultimately cause digit loss or amputation!

For more information about foot care and education, please visit triadfoot.com Triad Foot Center is a leading podiatric practice in the Triad, North Carolina, with three conveniently located offices in Greensboro, Burlington and Asheboro.

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