The real reason you get chilly hands and feet
Suffering from ice-cold digits the moment the temperature drops? If freezing fingers and toes are the bane of your life, you are not alone. But is it really poor circulation and most importantly, how can you fix it?
We speak to Vascular consultant Professor Whiteley of The Whiteley Clinic about reactive microcirculation in the winter months and how to fix your icy extremities:
Is poor circulation why your fingers and toes are so cold?
Most people blame chilly hands and feet on poor circulation, but the reason your digits look like ice picks actually has much more to do with your choice of winter attire.
'Many people will mistakenly use the term "poor circulation" when complaining about having unusually cold hands and toes – particularly in the cold winter months,' says Professor Whiteley. 'What is actually happening is the vessels which transport the warm blood to the extremities, such as the toes, ears, nose and fingers, are very sensitive to the cold, and go into spasm. Therefore this is not a problem with circulation, it is actually a problem with the microcirculation - the smallest blood vessels in the body.'
Poor circulation is when the arteries are blocked or narrowed, restricting the blood flow through the vessels. This is often caused by lifestyle habits such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and old age, advises Professor Whiteley.
What is reactive microcirculation?
There are several possible causes of reactive microcirculation, which can lead to cold fingers and toes. 'Many people who suffer from this problem are very slim, and therefore lose heat more quickly during the cold weather,' says Professor Whiteley.
'Other people may experience problems with cold hands and feet due to a low metabolic rate, particularly if they have a low thyroid function or if they are on drugs that cause poor flow in the small vessels such as Beta-blockers,' he adds.
How can reactive microcirculation be treated?
Wrapping up warm is the easiest way to prevent frozen extremities during the winter months, so invest in some decent gloves and a good coat.
'If you wear sensible clothing you will not lose body heat, and your fingers and toes will stay nice and warm,' advises says Professor Whitely. 'However, if you are wearing inefficient layers that do not keep the warm in then you will start to lose heat and, once your temperature starts to drop, your body will take action to preserve heat to the core.'
Other causes of cold feet and hands
Another reason that some individuals are more prone to feeling the cold than others, and when they do so, their peripheral arteries go into spasm, is known as Raynaud's syndrome.
Raynaud's is a disorder that affects blood vessels, mostly in the fingers and toes. It causes the blood vessels to narrow when you are cold or under stress. The treatment of Raynaud's aims to reduce the number of attacks occurring, making them less severe, preventing tissue damage and stopping the loss of any tissues of the fingers and toes.
There are some simple measures that you can take to prevent Raynaud's:
Keep your hands and feet warm and dry
Warm your hands and feet with warm water
Avoid air conditioning
Wear gloves to touch frozen or cold foods
Wear multiple layers of loose clothing and a hat when it's cold
Use chemical warmers, such as small heating pouches that can be placed in pockets or gloves, boots or shoes
Don't smoke
Exercise regularly
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