Are Your Feet Always Cold?

Are you one of those people whose feet are cold regardless of the temperature outside? Although cold feet may often be an issue people joke about, we at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle know it can also be the sign of poor circulation—and that’s no laughing matter. Below are some conditions that cold feet and poor circulation may be pointing to.

Raynaud’s Disease

This condition causes the blood vessels to narrow, limiting blood flow to your toes and fingers. In addition to feeling cold, you may notice the skin on your toes turning white or blue and sensations of numbness, tingling, burning, or even pain. Cold temperatures can trigger Raynaud’s Other triggers include stress, chemotherapy, and other medical conditions. Symptoms can last for a very short or a more extended time. There is no real cure for Raynaud’s.  The treatment focuses on managing the triggers of the symptoms and keeping feet warm with multiple layers of socks.

Diabetes

Having high blood glucose levels for long periods can cause damage to your blood vessels. It can lead to reduced or poor circulation, which can cause your feet and toes to feel cold frequently. Poor circulation can be particularly dangerous for patients with diabetes because it impedes the healing process in your feet, causing even minor injuries like blisters or a cut to not heal properly and resulting in an infection or even amputation.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

When plaque builds up in your arteries due to high cholesterol or hypertension, it reduces the amount of blood that can reach your extremities. In addition to feeling cold, patients with PAD may notice a loss of hair on the lower legs and feet and cramping or weakness in the feet and legs.

If you are experiencing consistently cold feet with or without any of the other above symptoms, it’s important that you contact our Hudson office at 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 for an appointment so that our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, can examine your feet and determine if you have poor circulation and why. The treatment will depend on the cause of the circulation problem. Since many of these conditions can pose a significant threat to your health, it’s best not to delay getting symptoms evaluated. Don’t wait; make an appointment today.