Cold Feet: Why Women Have Colder Feet Than Men

In fact, women are nine times more likely to report having cold hands and feet than men.

There are no concrete reasons why women tend to have colder extremities than men, but it is suspected that men’s fat layers are more evenly distributed than women’s, which acts as a more efficient insulation. In addition, men can also have more muscle mass as a rule, helping to generate body heat.

Foot experts are also quick to point out that the skin on a female’s feet is thinner and tends to become even thinner as women age. Iron deficiencies, hormonal changes and damaged or blocked capillaries in the hands and feet can also contribute to a lack of blood flow that would otherwise keep extremities feeling warm.

Raynaud’s disease could also be behind cold hands and feet. It is a vascular condition causing constriction of the tiny blood vessels to the toes or fingers.  It is identified by cold extremities that go through different color changes of white, blue, and red.  It can be a painful condition as well as chilly to the toes and fingers.

Exercise, a proper diet and getting up to walk around in order to increase blood flow can help alleviate cold extremities. But if the problem persists, you may want to speak to a podiatrist to better understand what could be behind your cold feet.

To schedule an appointment to speak to one of the podiatrists at Triad Foot Center, please call our Burlington office at (336) 538-6885 or click here to request an appointment.

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