Cold Hands: Causes, Treatment & Help

With the cold season they also come: the cold hands. Mostly women complain about ice hands as soon as the temperatures drop a little. But behind the symptom, from which almost everyone suffers once, can also be serious causes.

What are cold hands?

From the palms of your hands to the tips of your fingers, cold causes tingling, pain and numbness. Cold hands are a sign of poorly circulated muscles. It is not for nothing that a “warm handshake” means a friendly and pleasant greeting, but it is quite different with cold hands, they are generally perceived as unpleasant. From the palms to the fingertips, cold causes tingling, pain and numbness. Often only individual parts of the hand are affected, for example the little fingers. Visibly, cold hands manifest themselves in blue fingernails and sometimes in a strong reddening of the skin. If the hands are very severely hypothermic, numbness may even occur.

Causes

Cold hands are a sign of poorly perfused muscles. Here is also the reason that rather women are affected by cold hands than men, they have less warming muscles than men. In addition, blood pressure plays a decisive role: if the body is not sufficiently supplied with blood, this can manifest itself in cold hands, among other things. The most common cause of low blood pressure is cold. In order to be able to supply the heart region with sufficient blood and oxygen even in cold conditions, the body reduces its energy consumption and the vessels in the less important regions of the body, i.e. the extremities, constrict. As a result, very little warming blood flows through the fingers – they become cold. This is a natural reaction of the body and is harmless under normal circumstances. As soon as the ambient temperature increases again, the vessels dilate, blood can flow through and warms the hands. This process is often accompanied by a tingling sensation that can be mildly painful, depending on its intensity.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Mineral deficiency
  • Scleroderma
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Raynaud’s syndrome
  • Trauma
  • Meningitis
  • Hypothermia (frostbite)
  • Iron deficiency
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Diabetes mellitus

Diagnosis and course

However, if cold hands are frequently observed, without which a cold ambient temperature can be the cause, affected persons should definitely observe this, because frequent circulatory problems in the area of the hands can have serious health causes. On the one hand, lifestyle has a direct influence on the condition of the blood vessels and arteries. Frequent alcohol consumption, smoking, fatty food, little exercise and stress can cause the vessels and arteries in the hands and arms to constrict. Smokers in particular can also develop blood clots on vessel walls, known as thromboses, which in the worst case can lead to vascular occlusion, also known as an embolism by medical experts. If no clots are present, the circulatory disorders can also be caused by crushed nerves or blood vessels. If this is the case, in addition to cold fingers, patients often suffer from pain that can extend from the shoulder down the arms to the fingertips. Other causes can be a generally low blood pressure that does not supply the hands with sufficient blood, small tumors, cardiac muscle weakness, the use of antihypertensive drugs, hypothyroidism or even diabetes. In any case, if cold hands occur regularly, a doctor should be consulted to have the exact cause determined.

Complications

Cold hands lead to a feeling of numbness if left untreated. Grasping or holding onto objects is difficult or impossible. There is often a feeling of coldness and discomfort throughout the body. The discomfort can lead to withdrawal or shame, as many people are uncomfortable reaching out to another person when greeting them. In addition to numbness in the hands, the hands may have a pale appearance or hurt. If the cold hands are not caused by a frosty environment, a serious condition may be hiding behind them. Raynoud’s syndrome or other vascular diseases are possible conditions.In some cases, autoimmune diseases, a thrombus, tumors or a tumor are other complications that can occur. When treating cold hands, it is important to note that cold hands can have psychosomatic causes that are often overlooked. In addition to physical symptoms, states of distress due to stress, anxiety, or depression should be noted. Treatment of cold hands may lead to disregarding an existing eating disorder or pain disorder. Prescribing ointments or medications to promote circulation, may trigger side effects. Dizziness, nausea and vomiting are possible. If hormonal imbalances are present, further complications, such as contraception, must be considered.

When should you see a doctor?

Cold hands are usually harmless and do not necessarily need to be medically clarified. However, if accompanying symptoms are added to the cold limbs, there may be a serious underlying condition. A visit to the doctor is recommended if the hands are not only cold, but also show a striking pallor. Bluish or red discolored fingers indicate a vascular disorder requiring treatment. Swelling, numbness and pain can have various causes and must also be clarified. A quick visit to the doctor is advisable in case of dizziness and signs of paralysis, as these symptoms may indicate a neurological disease or even a stroke. Skin changes on other parts of the body indicate a cold allergy. Sometimes, however, there is also an anxiety disorder, which manifests itself through cold hands and sweating. A rapid medical diagnosis is necessary in any case. If sudden cold hands are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating, the emergency physician must be called immediately. It may be a heart attack or other serious condition that requires rapid treatment.

Treatment and therapy

Depending on what the actual cause of cold hands is, the doctor will develop and implement an appropriate treatment option in collaboration with the relevant specialists. If it is only a low circulation, even small, circulation-stimulating measures such as alternating showers, massages and plenty of exercise in the fresh air can help to get the circulation going and prevent cold hands. If your hands do get cold, warm drinks and a warm environment will help to thaw your fingers again.

Outlook and prognosis

In most cases, the cold hands occur due to low temperatures. This is a common symptom that does not need to be treated by a doctor. When heat is applied, the hands become warm again and there is no further discomfort. If the cold hands persist for a long time, a doctor should be consulted. This may be due to circulatory and blood flow disorders, which usually will not disappear on their own. Especially smokers and alcohol addicts are strongly affected by this symptom and must limit their consumption in any case. Cold hands usually cause cold fingers as well. This can damage the extremities in the long run, so that movement restrictions may be present. Diabetes can also be a cause of cold hands. Treatment always depends on the underlying disease and leads to success in most cases. Massages and alternating showers are mainly used to promote blood circulation. Likewise, a healthy lifestyle helps to prevent the symptom and avoid the cold hands.

Prevention

As a general prevention against cold hands, a healthy lifestyle is recommended: plenty of exercise, healthy food and avoiding smoking and alcohol. Especially in the cold season, gloves should always be at hand to protect the hands from too cold air. When working quietly at a desk, joint warmers on the wrists also help to keep the fingers nice and warm.

What you can do yourself

As a rule, cold hands occur due to iron deficiency. An undersupply of vitamin B impairs blood circulation in the extremities. Accordingly, affected individuals should consume iron-rich as well as vitamin B-rich foods. If cold hands occur due to stress or tension, various relaxation exercises can help. Yoga is particularly worth mentioning here. Sporadically, a warm and relaxing bath can help.This promotes blood flow to the hands. In addition, cold hands can be warmed up with spices. Fresh ginger should not be missing from any menu. Ginger is not only healthy, but also gives new energy. To counteract cold hands, two cups of ginger tea a day are ideal. The same effect is provided by cinnamon and chili. Chili powder adds a certain spiciness to food, which dilates the blood vessels. Alternatively, sufferers can add a little chili to hot water and consume it. The skin warms up immediately. There are numerous measures to choose from that quickly help against cold hands. Here, rubbing the hands together is worth mentioning. This way the hands warm up immediately. To warm up the hands quickly, it is recommended to sit on the hands or place them in the armpits. Cold hands can be quickly warmed up with exercises and massages. Here, the movement of arms and shoulders is suitable. This also promotes blood flow. The shoulders must be rolled extensively. Afterwards, sufferers let their arms beat like a windmill.