Many people experience a drop in foot temperatures during the winter months simply due to exposure of cold weather. More chronic conditions of cold feet may be a sign of poor circulation, a nervous system disorder, low thyroid conditions or other conditions that require diagnosis and treatment from a medical doctor or podiatric doctor.
According to Mark A Stafford, MD, in his article "Is Poor Circulation Giving You a Case of Cold Feet?", the most common cause of cold hands and feet is anxiety. Dr. Stafford explains weather-related cold feet “cool temperature can also cause the skin in our hands, feet and tips of our noses to constrict to prevent undesirable heat loss.” He notes that the reduction in blood flow causes the hemoglobin molecules to draw on all of their oxygen, “leaving unsaturated hemoglobin, darker blue in color, behind. The decreased oxygen causes our fingertips and nails to look blue.” ["Is Poor Circulation Giving You a Case of Cold Feet?", Mark A. Stafford, M.D., F.A.C.P.,University of Alabama Health System].
Tips to Keep Feet Warm
Here are some suggestions to keep feet warm during cold weather or for temporary conditions of cold feet:
- Exercise daily to keep circulation at its optimum performance
- Wear proper fitting shoes to ensure blood flow is not cut-off to the feet
- Warm up cold feet with a warm, not hot, foot soak for temporary relief or prior to going to bed
- Wear socks with warming power such as wool or microfiber if wool allergies exist
- Use a hot water bottle to warm feet
- Drink plenty of fluids during the day
- Keep the body’s core temperature up by dressing warmly; a former ski instructor prefers to wear vests during the winter to keep the chest and torso warm
- Purchase microwavable booties that can be warmed quickly and provide moist heat for the feet
How Cold Feet Can Affect the Body
According to a study by the Chun Shan Medical University’s School of Nursing in Taiwan, foot temperature can have an influence on how we sleep. In their study elders received a 40 minute foot bath before bedtime; both groups experienced a decrease in wakefulness. ["A warm footbath before bedtime and sleep in older Taiwanese with sleep disturbance", Research in Nursing & Health, 2008 Oct;31(5):514-28, PMID: 18459154].
In another study by the Netherland Institute for Neuroscience, multiple studies were evaluated to determine that elderly persons without sleep difficulties could fall asleep faster by warming their feet. The study examined the use of a footbath before sleep or heated socks applied in bed. ["Skin temperature and sleep-onset latency: changes with age and insomnia", Physiology & Behavior, 2007 Feb 28;90(2-3):257-66m PMID: 17070562].
In addition to interfering with sleeping patterns, cold feet are also susceptible to dry and cracked skin with the loss of circulation. According to Medline Plus, dry skin happens more often in the winter “when cold air outside and heated air inside cause low humidity” ["Dry Skin", Medline Plus, U.S. National Library of Medicine & National Institutes of Health].Deep cracks in the feet can turn into open sores and are at risk of infection. Keeping feet both warm and well moisturized during cold weather is important. MedScape® Today recommends using a vaporizer or humidifier when indoor humidity is below 50% for persons with dry skin complaints ["Managing Dry Skin", MedScape® Today, by W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPh; and Joshua J. Pray, PharmD, 04/11/2005].
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