Why do we have cold feet?

September 23, 2022

Are your feet still frozen despite the three pairs of socks you put on? This inconvenience, which mainly affects women, has several explanations. Tips and advice to remedy it.

Like the hands, the feet are located at the ends of the body, away from the heart pump that powers the various organs. However, when it is cold, the body directs blood as a priority to the vital organs (heart and brain), partially abandoning peripheral organs. In addition, to keep a maximum of heat, the arteries those closest to the skin tighten, which is called vasoconstriction. In some people with poor circulation, this phenomenon occurs even when it is relatively hot. Other causes can cause cold feet:

  • Raynaud's syndrome (chronic blood circulation disorder);

  • hypothyroidism (slowing of the metabolism);

  • diabetes (nerve damage in the feet);

  • hyperhydrosis ((sweat excessive);

  • peripheral arterial disease (narrowing of the arteries by atherosclerosis or stenosis);

  • smoking (poor blood oxygenation);

  • excessive sedentary lifestyle.

Why do women no longer have cold feet?

Women suffer more from circulation problems. The syndrome com Raynaud affects women twice as much as men, for example. On the other hand, they have proportionately less muscle mass. However, it is the muscles that produce heat. The mass greasy protects the body well from the cold, but there are few on the feet.

Cold feet: how to fix it?

Outside :

  • apply a cream anti-cold before going out ;

  • wear warm socks that wick away perspiration (cotton, wool, Gore-Tex …);

  • wear insulating insoles (felt and aluminum);

  • put on a hat: the head is an important source of heat loss;

  • avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Inside :

  • regularly move the feet to boost blood circulation: for example, rolling a tennis ball under the foot or walking on tiptoe;

  • make a foot bath (maximum 36 ° C);

  • drink a hot beverage ;

  • put a hot water bottle on the feet (not too hot).

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