4 Possible Reasons for Your Constantly Cold Hands

The weather is not the only thing to blame for constantly having cold hands. If you are among the many whose hands are always cold even if it is not the winter season, you'll be surprised to discover the possible reasons for your condition.

This can be a regular occurrence in and response particularly to cold temperature, said Pall Mall Medical's Chun Tang, MD, a general practitioner.

He also said, people "automatically constrict blood vessels to save" heat loss and concentrate on central locations. However, he added, cold hands could indicate a deeper issue, too.

Cold hands, Dr. Tang, explained, "Especially if persistent" for a longer period than the usual, are results of poor circulation because of the blood vessels' hardening over time. They may also have persisted due to hypothyroidism, infections, or anxiety.

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Having cold hands can be a normal occurrence in, and response particularly to cold temperature, but it could indicate a deeper issue, too

Why Are Your Hands Cold Most of the Time?

If you're wondering why your hands are often cold even when you're no longer in a cold environment, there may be some other reasons you should pay attention to. Here are 4 of them:

1. Stress

Dr. Tang said, having cold hands is common when an individual experiences a great deal of anxiety. He added stress and anxiety appear throughout the body "when they cause hormones" such as adrenaline or epinephrine to be released.

Licensed physician Leann Poston, MD, from Invigor Medical, explained, "Stress can simulate the sympathetic nervous system, which causes blood vessels to constrict" to increase the flow of blood to the brain and vital organs.

Furthermore, stress is considered a stress to the body, and the body that constricts the blood vessels is regarded as a defense mechanism to guarantee that we are alive.

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2. Lack of Vitamins

Experts say a lack of vitamins can also cause cold hands. Specifically, according to the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine's family medicine chair, physician Nancy Bono, DO, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause neurological symptoms, which include "the feeling of cold hands and feet, numbness or tingling."

Low iron, also known as anemia, can be a culprit, too, explained the expert. Thus, she recommended consulting the doctor about the intake of vitamin supplements like iron or B12 to help improve the condition.

3. Smoking and Drinking Alcoholic Beverages

Smoking causes cold hands too, because it constricts blood vessels, as well. According to Dr. Poston, "Constricting blood vessels" lessens the flow of bland to the hands and fingers, which can result in "them to feel cold."

Alcoholic beverage consumption can also be a reason for cold hands as it enlarges blood vessels, causing the circulation to slow.

4. Raynaud's Syndrome 

Raynaud's syndrome, a common heath condition, according to Dr. Poston, can also cause cold hands. It is a condition in which there is too much constriction by the blood vessels, and the symptoms can differ from mild to severe.

An individual will notice that his fingers turn white, then they become purple or blue, and eventually, they turn red as the blood flow is restored.

If this condition or syndrome becomes severe, it can then lead to tissue impairment and breakdown if the fingers don't get sufficient blood.

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