What causes poor circulation and cold hands?

What causes poor circulation and cold hands?

Poor blood circulation is a symptom of diabetes, especially in your extremities, which can make your hands and feet cold. Heart disease. Diabetes also increases the risk for heart disease and narrowing of the arteries (due to atherosclerosis), both of which may contribute to cold hands and feet.

What do cold fingers indicate?

If your fingers are getting cold when the temperature is normal, there could be an underlying cause. Cold fingers could be an indication of several problems, including Raynaud’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiencies, anemia, arterial disease, or even an autoimmune condition.

How can I improve blood circulation in my fingers?

Exercise is the simplest way to improve your blood’s ability to circulate through your hands. Your body’s muscles require oxygenated blood in order to function, and as you work the muscles in your hands, the surrounding blood vessels will dilate to allow more of this oxygenated blood to flow through.

Do cold hands indicate poor circulation?

Usually, having cold hands is just one of the ways the body tries to control its temperature and shouldn’t be cause for concern. However, persistently cold hands — particularly with skin color changes — could be a warning sign of nerve damage, blood flow problems, or tissue damage in the hands or fingers.

When should I worry about cold hands?

It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have cold extremities and these symptoms: Thickening or tightening of the skin. Poorly healing sores or cracks on the fingertips or toes. Fatigue.

Why do I suddenly have Raynaud’s?

Raynaud’s is usually triggered by cold temperatures, anxiety or stress. The condition occurs because your blood vessels go into a temporary spasm, which blocks the flow of blood. This causes the affected area to change colour to white, then blue and then red, as the bloodflow returns.

Can Raynaud’s be cured?

It will also depend on how severe the condition is. There is no cure for Raynaud’s phenomenon, but it can be managed with proper treatment. Treatment may include: Avoiding exposure to cold.

Why are my hands cold but my body is warm?

By diverting blood to the skin, heat is transferred to the outside air, helping to cool us down. This is why we might look a bit “flushed” on a hot day. On the other hand, when we are feeling cold, the blood vessels in our skin narrow so less blood is diverted there.

Does diabetes cause cold fingers?

Diabetic neuropathy — cold or numb hands or feet — is a common sign of poor circulation in diabetes.

Should I be worried about Raynaud’s?

Symptoms of Raynaud’s can last from a few minutes to several hours. It’s not a serious threat to your health, but can be annoying to live with, because it can be difficult to use your fingers. People with Raynaud’s often go for long periods without any symptoms, and sometimes the condition goes away altogether.

Do I need to see a doctor for Raynaud’s?

When to See a Doctor. Severe cases of Raynaud’s can lead to tissue death (gangrene). See your doctor if you have a history of severe Raynaud’s and have developed sores or ulcers on your fingers or toes, or if you have an infection. You should also tell your doctor if attacks happen on only one side or your body.

Should I be worried about cold hands and feet?

Under normal circumstances, cold hands and feet are not a worry. But just keep in mind that it’s due to a reduced blood supply reaching the extremities. Over time, this can result in brittle nails, dry or cracked skin, discoloured skin, and a feeling of tingling or numbness in the areas.

Can lack of oxygen cause cold hands?

Anemia. In this common blood disorder, lack of oxygen in the blood can lead to cold hands.

How do you test for Raynaud’s?

To tell the difference between primary and secondary Raynaud’s, your doctor might do a test called nailfold capillaroscopy. During the test, the doctor looks at the skin at the base of your fingernail under a microscope or magnifier to look for deformities or swelling of the tiny blood vessels.

What causes poor circulation in fingers?

Poor circulation occurs when something disrupts this process, preventing sufficient blood supply to some body parts. Conditions that may lead to poor circulation in the hands include atherosclerosis, anemia, and Raynaud’s disease. Smoking may also increase the likelihood of poor circulation.

How do you treat Raynaud’s fingers?

To gently warm your fingers and toes:

  1. Get indoors or to a warmer area.
  2. Wiggle your fingers and toes.
  3. Place hands under armpits.
  4. Make wide circles (windmills) with your arms.
  5. Run warm — not hot — water over your fingers and toes.
  6. Massage your hands and feet.