Cold Feet

Overview

A number of ailments may afflict your body when it is exposed to adverse elements and affect the nervous system and the blood circulation. Such specific health conditions could be identified with the help of indications such as cold feet. Cold feet could be the result of exposure of the body to cold temperatures or even thyroid abnormality.

Body parts can suffer from coldness due to two common reasons: exposure to freezing external temperatures or disorders in the body that bring about a sensation of chillness. Body tissues could freeze due to extreme temperatures and this state could injure the tissues. This condition is called frostbite and it usually occurs on fingers or toes, or any part that is susceptible to freezing weather conditions. There are many levels of frostbite; the most common level is identified as "frostnip." When the skin is afflicted with frostnip, the skin is frozen on the surface and blood supply to that part is reduced. That part becomes numb and loses sensitivity to touch.

Usually, experiencing frostnip is not harmful (because it only affects the outer surface of the skin). However, this condition may develop an allergic sensitivity to cold for a long period of time. The outer skin that freezes past the state of frostnip becomes hard, while the innate tissues remain unaffected. A few days after the injury, blisters form on the frostbitten skin, which often heal a few weeks later. However, adequate care should be taken at this stage because it may lead to permanent damage to the body part. Frostbite of the third or fourth level can occur when the entire limb or body part is frozen. The consequence of this state could be terrible, with blood-filled blisters forming on the body part, eventually resulting in the loss of the body part.

Cold feet can also be a symptom of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). This condition causes a discoloration of fingers or toes that are exposed to swift and recurrent changes between extremities - such as switching between hot and cold temperatures, or emotional events. The discoloration occurs when the blood vessels experience a spasm, and are able to transport only a limited amount of blood to the local body tissues. As a result of this, fingers or toes turn white, and then turn blue due to a restricted supply of oxygen. When the spasm subsides, the blood vessels open and the fingers or toes turn red, or even back to normal. This change in the color of the skin is a major characteristic of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Some internal disorders may also result in cold feet, like the Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). This disease affects the blood vessels, especially those around the heart or brain, and can block the blood supply to the organs and limbs. This is a result of atherosclerosis, or the plaque that hardens the arteries. Symptoms of this disease can include numbness in the extremities, weakness in the legs, cold feet, and even discoloration of the feet.

Treatment

Normally, cold feet do not require meticulous treatment, but complications of cold feet, such as chilblains should be treated. Foot warming creams are available for treating cold feet. However, it is not advisable to use these without the advice of a medical practitioner. Cold feet could also be the result of other diseases or disorders that may be unknown to the person experiencing them. Consult a doctor if the feeling has lasted longer than usual to avoid further complications.