Cold feet

The feet are the roots of man. They affect his health and well-being more than is generally known. Cold feet not only put you in a bad mood and cause discomfort, they also prevent you from falling asleep.

causes

Many circulatory disorders begin with cold feet, but even more so with a cold, a solid cold or the flu.

Many circulatory disorders begin with cold feet, but even more so with a cold, a solid cold or the flu. Cold feet can also be a chronic appendage for people with poor circulation and anemic.

Then they should be treated by a doctor. For many, cold feet are a symptom of civilization. The sedentary lifestyle of our time plays a significant role. Also the inadequate footwear, starting with stockings made of synthetic fibers in winter and too light and tight footwear.

Of course, the season and the weather also play a major role. Wet feet, especially in snowy or thawing weather, are feared and dangerous.

Likewise, a sweaty foot can cause cold feet with all their side effects due to the constant removal of heat as a result of evaporative cold.

Sweaty feet don't have to be, they can be easily turned off without any health disadvantages, as is often wrongly claimed. An old proverb rightly says: Keep your feet warm and your head cold and you'll get old.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for cold feet and hands

Diseases with this symptom

• Mineral deficiency
• Scleroderma
• arteriosclerosis
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

• Raynaud's Syndrome
• trauma
• Meningitis
• Hypothermia (frostbite)

• Iron deficiency
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes mellitus

Complications

The complications of cold feet include persistent feelings of coldness and discomfort. Movement is perceived as uncomfortable because the mobility of the foot is restricted. The affected region feels numb and at the same time stiff. Cold feet are an indication of low blood pressure or general circulatory disorders.

These are associated with slower reactions and reduced attention. In many cases the hands are also cold. Other complications include hormonal imbalances or infectious diseases. Discoloration, swelling or severe pain are indications of other diseases. In severe cases, there may be a vascular occlusion. There is a risk of thrombosis or stroke.

Medicines that stimulate blood circulation or are given to treat an infection have some side effects. They include insomnia, restlessness and nervousness. Gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and headaches are possible complications. When caffeine is given to increase blood pressure, some people's fine motor skills are impaired.

There is a permanent habituation effect that reduces the desired effect. Caffeine therapy is not recommended for pregnant women. When treating existing hormonal disorders, changes to the contraceptive methods used must be taken into account in order to continue to ensure protection against pregnancy. Mood swings, listlessness and listlessness can set in.

When should you go to the doctor?

Cold feet are usually harmless and do not necessarily require treatment. A doctor's visit is recommended if your feet stay cold even in warm temperatures or in thick socks. If there are additional symptoms such as tingling, dizziness or pain, there may be a circulatory disorder or anemia. Chronically cold limbs indicate low blood pressure and should also be checked medically. This is especially true when it comes to exhaustion, chronic fatigue and other physical and mental complaints.

In the event of cramps, skin changes or fever, there is a suspicion of a serious underlying disease, which should be clarified immediately. If a foot or leg suddenly becomes cold and painful, the emergency services should be alerted. There may be a life-threatening embolism or venous thrombosis. Atherosclerosis, diabetes and various heart diseases are also noticeable through cold limbs. Warning signs of a serious cause include swelling, a numbing sensation of cold and bluish discoloration on the feet. If the cause of the complaint is unclear, you should speak to your family doctor for further clarification.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & prevention

If you suffer from chronically cold feet, you should remember the following: Never step into your shoes in the morning with your feet still cold, and never go to bed in the evening with your feet still cold. Effective help can generally be obtained with the following applications:

• through hot foot baths, ideally with added salt or hay flower extract,

• by self-massage of the feet with warm oil,

• by vigorous brushing or toweling with a massage towel,

• by treading water, for about 2 minutes in cold water, then vigorously with a warmed massage towel until the skin becomes red,

• through intensive foot gymnastics of the bare feet,

• by wearing wool stockings and sheep's wool insoles,

• by wearing shoes or boots that are not too tight, and possibly lined

Cold feet don't always have to be a disease. They can almost always be eliminated with the aids listed. Although they require some effort and effort, you will be rewarded with comfort, good sleep and better health.

Home remedies ↵ for cold feet If you have to spend hours outdoors in cold weather, be it standing, walking or sitting, and are bothered by cold feet, you can do something about it in a reflex way. The well-known ABC patch often helps here. Half the usual plaster size is sufficient. The adhesive layer freed from the protective sheet is heated beforehand over a burning candle or over a hot plate. you can also put the ABC plaster on the warm heater beforehand. So warmed you stick it on the sacrum area.

The intense heat effect then sets in immediately. Reflectively, the legs up to the tips of the feet are better supplied by increased blood circulation and warming, which is expressed in a feeling of cozy warmth. This effect then lasts for several hours.

Outlook & forecast

Cold feet are a problem that occurs during the winter months and is more common in women. If you have cold feet all the time, even in summer, you should be examined by a doctor, because there can be an illness behind it. In most cases, however, the cause of ice feet lies in the outside world. When the temperature drops, feet and hands cool down particularly quickly because the body restricts the transport of warm blood towards the extremities.

Warm socks and gloves help to make up for the loss of heat. Restricting clothing such as socks with tight cuffs and tight schools impede blood circulation and make it difficult to achieve heat balance. Soft stockings with loose cuffs and comfortable shoes are therefore more helpful. Synthetic clothing, on the other hand, can prevent a healthy heat balance. Woolen clothing is ideal in winter because it regulates the temperature, cools in the heat and warms in the cold.

After spending time outdoors, a warm foot bath or a full bath will help. Because the blood vessels are dilated, warm clothing is mandatory afterwards. The hot water bottle is a tried and tested means that quickly warms up cold feet. Hot spices also stimulate the metabolism and can warm the whole body. Hot drinks and soups have a similar effect as they stimulate blood circulation. Women have cold feet more often than men because their muscle percentage is lower on average. Muscles produce heat.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for cold feet and hands

You can do that yourself

Cold feet can be prevented with numerous home remedies. Treading water, which has to be used twice a day, is helpful. Warm water should be used here - either as a footbath or in the bathtub. Afterwards, those affected should rinse their legs with cold water from the knees. This measure promotes blood circulation, which helps against cold feet.

A hot foot bath in the evening is also recommended. Those affected should add some wood ash and two tablespoons of salt. Cold feet will soon be a thing of the past if this method is used regularly. Cold feet can also be counteracted with a hedgehog ball. To stimulate blood circulation, the massage should be carried out for ten minutes. If the cold feet only become noticeable in bed, it is advisable to pinch the affected foot in the hollow of the knee.

Bath additives are also great for warming up cold feet. Eucalyptus, spruce needles, rosemary and horse chestnut are worth mentioning. All of them have a stimulating effect on blood circulation. It also makes sense to do foot aerobics, which should always be done in the morning and in the evening while sitting for ten minutes. Those affected should first stretch their toes. Then you have to let the joints rotate. At the end, those affected should pull their feet up and stretch them out again.