Sepsis
Sepsis is a serious illness that is caused by the body's reaction to an infection and cause system-wide inflammation.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: being severely ill, shortness of breath, fever, feeling confused and not making sense while talking, abnormally high heartrate
Symptoms that always occur with sepsis: being severely ill
Urgency: Emergency medical service
Raynaud phenomenon
Raynaud phenomenon, also called Secondary Raynaud syndrome, is a condition that causes small arteries in the skin to abnormally constrict on exposure to cold water or air. This limits blood flow to the hands, fingers, feet, toes, nose, and ears.
Secondary Raynaud syndrome is rare and is caused by another underlying medical condition, often a connective tissue disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, or lupus.
Women are more likely than men to be affected, especially if living in cold climates. Family history and smoking are also risk factors.
Symptoms include the hands and feet becoming numb and cold. The skin color changes from pale to bluish, and then to red as the skin warms again.
If not treated, patients may get ulcerated sores or deformities of the fingers and toes, or even gangrene, due to the lack of circulation.
Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and blood tests.
Treatment includes medications to help increase circulation; treatment of any underlying conditions; and lifestyle changes to gain better protection for the extremities in cold conditions.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: distal numbness, cold toe, cold fingers, spontaneous toe pain, spontaneous finger pain
Urgency: Self-treatment
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a chronic condition that reduces blood flow in the arteries, usually arteries that lead to the legs. This reduced blood flow happens when clumps of fat (called plaques) build up inside these arteries, causing them to narrow. Symptoms include leg numbness, foot and thigh pain, cold feet, and muscle fatigue. These symptoms often occur when walking or exercising. The risk of developing PAD is higher in those who smoke or have diabetes. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, and not getting much exercise also can put one at higher risk.
You should consider visiting a healthcare provider in the next two weeks to discuss your symptoms. Your provider can evaluate PAD with a review of your symptoms and a physical exam. An MRI may be performed as well. Once diagnosed, treatment involves medication, surgery, or procedures to open or bypass blocked arteries. Lifestyle changes regarding diet, exercise, and smoking cessation may also help.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: leg numbness, spontaneous foot pain, decreased exercise tolerance, cold feet, thigh pain
Symptoms that never occur with peripheral arterial disease (pad): calf pain from an injury, thigh pain from an injury
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Mild frostbite of the lower leg
Frostbite is tissue damage caused by exposure to the cold (at or below 32F or 0C). It is most commonly found in people doing leisurely activities like camping, hunting, or snow sports. It is also more likely in those who are intoxicated or have a mental disorder.
Those with suspected frostbite should have wet clothing removed. Rubbing affected areas worsens damage to the tissue. You should go to the ER by car, immediately. If rewarming can occur without chance of refreezing, it can be tried in the field. There, the doctors will guide you in gently re-warming the wounded area in 98-102F (37C-39C) water. Further, ibuprofen, antibiotics, a tetanus shot, and possibly surgery will be done to treat the pain and dead tissue. IV fluids will also be started. Hydrotherapy will be done daily to help with the wounded area.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: foot pain, swollen foot, foot numbness, foot redness, limping
Symptoms that always occur with mild frostbite of the lower leg: cold toe
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia means that the body does not have enough iron to form hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
The condition is caused by:
- Acute blood loss through injury, surgery, or childbirth.
- Chronic blood loss through an ulcer, overuse of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs,) or heavy menstrual periods.
- Inability to absorb dietary iron due to intestinal surgery or disease, or interference from certain medications.
- A diet low in iron-supplying foods.
Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of endurance, and chest pain with rapid and irregular heartbeat.
If not treated, iron deficiency anemia can lead to heart disease because the heart has to pump extra blood to get enough oxygen to the tissues. Developmental problems in children can also occur.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination and blood tests.
Treatment includes a diet higher in iron-rich foods, such as red meat and dark green leafy vegetables, along with iron supplements. Severe cases may require hospitalization for blood transfusion and/or intravenous iron therapy.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, or "underactive thyroid," means that the thyroid gland in the neck does not produce enough of its hormones. This causes a slowing of the body's metabolism.
The condition can occur due to autoimmune disease; any surgery or radiation treatment to the thyroid gland; some medications; pregnancy; or consuming too much or too little iodine. It is often found among older women with a family history of the disease.
Common symptoms include fatigue, constantly feeling cold, weight gain, slow heart rate, and depression. If left untreated, these and other symptoms can worsen until they lead to very low blood pressure and body temperature, and even coma.
Diagnosis is made through a simple blood test.
Hypothyroidism is easily managed with daily oral medication. The patient usually starts feeling better after a couple of weeks and may even lose some extra weight. It's important for the patient to be monitored by a doctor and have routine blood testing so that the medication can be kept at the correct levels.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: fatigue, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, muscle aches
Urgency: Primary care doctor
What causes cold feet?
Cold feet are usually caused by reduced blood supply. This can be the result of blockage or constriction of our blood vessels in the feet or lower leg. When in a cold environment, our body is designed to primarily keep our heads and torsos warm, because these areas include all organs essential for life. These organs do not function as well if they drop in temperature. To keep our brains, hearts, lungs, and digestive organs warm, the body may divert warm blood from the fingers, toes, arms, and legs to the torso so that the central organs can be warm. This is the most common cause of cold feet.
What causes poor circulation in the feet?
Cold exposure is a common cause. It can also be a symptom of certain autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, or hypothyroid disease. Exposure to select drugs and environmental factors can cause poor circulation. Accumulation of lipid and fibrous material inside the arteries (called peripheral arterial disease, or PAD) can restrict blood circulation as well. Smoking is an important risk factor for poor circulation.
How to improve circulation in the feet?
Keep your whole body warm. Don't smoke smoking can make your symptoms worse. Avoid medicines that cause blood vessels to become narrow, such as cold medicines or diet pills. Get your diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol under control (if you have these conditions.) Walking helps increase circulation and relieve peripheral artery disease (PAD) symptoms too. Medication and surgeries can be considered if PAD is severe enough.
Can cold feet be a sign of anemia?
Yes. Anemia is caused by a loss and/or impaired production of red blood cells. Blood loss and impaired production of red blood cells can both compromise blood flow to your feet, making your feet cold. The compromise of blood flow comes from a diversion of a limited blood supply. Blood will go to body parts where it is most needed, which is away from the arms and legs.
When should you see a doctor for cold feet?
See a doctor if the problem persists, or you start to develop pain or open sores on your toes. Additional symptoms, such as joint pain, muscle pain, fever, weakness, weight loss, rash, arthritis, or problems with the heart or lungs might indicate underlying medical conditions that warrant medical attention as well. Severe foot discoloration also warrants medical attention.
Questions your doctor may ask about cold feet
- Has any part of your body become paler than normal?
- Have you been feeling more tired than usual, lethargic or fatigued despite sleeping a normal amount?
- Are you eating inedible objects like ice, dirt, or paper?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.
