Anybody else suffer from cold feet? There could be a number of reasons why your feet are chilly! (Other than because you’re not wearing socks!)

Poor Circulation

When your body is unable to pump enough blood to your hands and feet, they become cold. Easy ways to improve circulation include exercising, staying hydrated, stretching throughout the day (especially if you have a sedentary job) and receiving massages.

Hypothyroidism

This is when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones. Symptoms associated with this common condition include cold hands and feet, hair loss, fatigue and weight gain.

Smoking or Alcohol

Smoking can reduce the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and it shrinks blood vessels, which decreases blood circulation. Meanwhile, alcohol can cause vasodilation, which is an opening of the blood vessels. While this is responsible for the happy glow you get while intoxicated, it can also be responsible for chilly feet: The blood in your body is sent elsewhere.

Raynaud’s Disease

Though it’s one of the least common causes of cold feet, Raynaud’s disease is another cold feet culprit. It causes certain areas of your body to feel numb and cold in response to cool temperatures and emotional distress. Essentially, the type of artery responsible for supplying blood to your skin narrows, which limits the blood supply to areas like fingers and toes.

Tight Muscles

Muscle tightness can create all kinds of pain and problems, one of the least known being icy feet. Stiff muscles don’t allow much blood flow, so try some foot, leg and buttocks stretches to loosen and relax the muscles as well as increase circulation.

Peripheral Neuropathy or Peripheral Vascular Disease

If you have the feeling that your hands or feet are cold, but they feel warm to the touch, or if you are experiencing numbness, tingling or burning in addition to the cold feeling, you may have peripheral neuropathy, which is a result of damaged nerves, or peripheral vascular disease, which is a result of a build-up of fatty material in the blood vessels. Conditions associated with both peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease include diabetes, infections, metabolic problems, exposure to toxins and vitamin deficiencies.

Ask your local Healthy Feet Clinic foot health provider for advice on keeping your feet warm, please follow this link to find your local provider.