What should you know about hot and cold hands and feet?

Hands and feet can cool when blood vessels narrow in cold surroundings or during stress, then feel warm as circulation changes. Persistent coldness can occur with anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia or an underactive thyroid. Reduced blood flow from peripheral arterial disease may cause a colder limb, pale or bluish skin, pain with walking or a sore that heals slowly. Burning warmth, redness, sweating or tingling can have other causes. The pattern, duration and whether both sides are affected help a clinician assess it.

Keep a record of when the changes happen, whether they affect both sides, and any colour change, numbness, pain, weakness or skin wounds. Use comfortable layers and warm socks, avoid direct heat that can burn numb skin, and move gently to support circulation. Do not smoke, and do not begin iron supplements unless a clinician has identified a reason and advised a suitable plan. A check-up may include an examination and blood tests.

Seek urgent care if one hand, foot, arm or leg suddenly becomes cold, pale, blue, very painful, numb or weak. Emergency assessment is also needed for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting or a new wound with spreading redness. Arrange a routine appointment for persistent symptoms, repeated colour changes, reduced exercise tolerance, unexplained tiredness, weight change or menstrual bleeding that may contribute to anaemia.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest a blood-count or thyroid check, how circulation will be assessed, whether medicines or smoking affect blood flow, and whether iron supplementation is appropriate. Mention diabetes, vascular disease, heavy periods, diet and any medicines that affect circulation.