What's the matter with cold hands and feet?

　　What's the matter with cold hands and feet? When you hold a can of frozen cans or walk into an air-conditioned cinema, your fingers will suddenly become cold, pale and numb. Or when you step on a cold kitchen tile when washing dishes, your feet will be sensitive to freezing. But sometimes temperature is not the real cause. Because for some people, mood swings can make their hands and feet cold.

　　 Cold hands and feet is just a symptom, which can be caused by many reasons. Generally speaking, the situation should be improved by dealing with the causes, so there is no need to worry too much. Cold hands and feet are common in young women. People with this condition will experience cold hands and feet whenever the weather turns cold or when they are suddenly stimulated by the outside temperature. In severe cases, the skin of the patient's hands and feet may turn purple and blue, which may cause frostbite.

　　 It is estimated that 2% to 6% of people will be overly sensitive to low temperature and mood swings. Doctors call this condition Raynaud's syndrome. In Raynaud's patients, when the temperature drops suddenly or the psychological pressure rises, the peripheral capillaries will spasm and the blood cannot circulate. Fingers and toes will be so white without a trace of blood, then they will become bruised, numb, and feel cold to the touch. When the hands and toes warm up again, they will turn dark red due to the restoration of blood circulation, and will tremble slightly, accompanied by a tingling sensation. This process can last from a few minutes to several hours.

　　75% of patients with common Raynaud's syndrome are women under 40 years old. The doctors didn't know the reason. This may be related to women's hormone levels, because it affects blood vessels. In many cases, only discoloration, numbness and tingling occur, and the severity varies from person to person. This problem is often improved dramatically because of menopause.

　　 Type II Raynaud's disease patients are generally not common, but this type of disease is more serious, and the patients are usually women and men over 40 years old. Some factors that affect blood vessels often induce such diseases, including smoking, hypertension drugs, and some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and arteriosclerosis. In addition, some jobs that require bending of the wrist or tremor, such as typing and operating powerful drills that vibrate, are likely to suffer from Type 2 Raynaud’s syndrome.

　　 Let me introduce some tips on how to keep your fingers and toes warm and comfortable!

　　1. Soak your hands in warm water: If it is dry, you will be exposed to cold things. Soak your hands in warm water every once in a while to make you more comfortable, which will keep your blood vessels dilated.

　　2. Rotate the arm like a windmill: Rotate the arm 360 degrees quickly for 1 to 2 minutes, which can help blood flow to the fingertips and help relieve vasospasm. When rotating, keep your elbows, wrists, and fingers in the same line.

　　3. Wear mittens: Do not wear split-finger gloves when it is cold. Keeping your fingers together will feel warmer, so mittens are better for protecting your fingers than split-finger gloves. Insulated mittens are the best choice.