Reasons Your Hands and Feet Feel Cold First — and What to Do About It

13. Buerger's Disease: Smoking-Related Vascular Damage

Buerger’s disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans) is a rare but serious type of vascular inflammation primarily affecting small and medium-sized arteries and veins in the hands and feet. What it trains: This condition leads to the formation of blood clots that completely block vessels, causing severe pain, coldness, and often leading to gangrene and tissue loss. Why it's unique: It is almost exclusively found in individuals who use tobacco products (including smoking or chewing). Action: Diagnosis relies on ruling out other causes of vascular blockage. The only definitive treatment is complete and immediate cessation of all tobacco use, which often halts the disease's progression. This is a critical red flag, demonstrating the extreme damage smoking can inflict directly on peripheral circulation.

14. B12 Deficiency: Neurological Chill and Circulation

Deficiency in Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) can cause cold hands and feet through two intertwined mechanisms: anemia and nerve damage. The lack of B12 can lead to megaloblastic anemia (large, fragile red blood cells), reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, resulting in chill. Additionally, B12 is crucial for nerve health; a deficit can cause peripheral neuropathy, leading to abnormal cold or tingling sensations even when the skin temperature is normal. Action: Diagnosis is confirmed via simple blood tests. Treatment involves B12 supplementation (oral or injections), which can reverse the neurological and circulatory symptoms if caught early, restoring normal sensation and warmth over time.