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Remedy for Cold Feet

Whether due to certain medical conditions or even the weather, cold feet are not only painful, they also are often a symptom of a more serious condition. Read on for what you should know about causes and treatments of cold feet.

  1. Causes

    • Blood circulates throughout your body's system, creating feelings of warmth and regulating body temperature. However, sometimes the body's circulation does not function properly, and blood does not reach extremities such as the feet. This causes the sensation of cold feet.

      Some people, such as those with diabetes, already have poor circulation, meaning they are less able to control the sensations that affect the feet. Another common cause is peripheral vascular disease (PVD), that involves blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart. Patients with PVD have plaque buildup in their arteries, which slows blood flow. Cold feet, as well as frequent cramping, swelling and pain, are all symptoms of PVD.

      Cold feet may also be the result of the following:
      • smoking
      • obesity
      • sedentary lifestyle
      • thyroid or nerve conditions
      • pregnancy
      • high blood pressure or cholesterol

    Treatment Options

    • People who frequently experience cold feet should take steps to restore circulation in the body. In addition to the following steps, it is important to address the condition that caused cold feet in the first place. For example, those who smoke should cease smoking, and high blood pressure patients should take medications to best regulate their blood pressure.

      In addition, the following lifestyle factors can increase circulation and warm the feet:
      • exercise regularly (most days of the week for 30 to 60 minutes)
      • wear compression hose or socks that stimulate circulation even when seated
      • wear protective clothing that keep the feet warm
      • use products designed to promote circulation, such as a bed or leg wedge while sleeping

    When to Seek Help

    • Because cold feet can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in the leg that can prove deadly), it is important to seek a physician's help for chronic cold feet. Even if the cause is easily addressed through increased exercise, a doctor can test for poor circulation and offer advice on restoring blood flow to the feet.

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