Hands & feet
Cold or discoloured hands and feet
Hands or feet that feel persistently cold or change colour — turning white, blue or red — usually because small blood vessels narrow in response to cold or stress, but occasionally signalling poor circulation, an autoimmune condition, or a blocked artery that is a 999 emergency.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of cold or discoloured hands and feet and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is cold or discoloured hands and feet?
Cold, pale or discoloured hands and feet are very common and usually harmless, reflecting the way small blood vessels in the skin tighten to conserve heat. In many people this becomes exaggerated, so that exposure to cold or emotional stress triggers the fingers or toes to turn white, then blue, then red as the blood returns, often with numbness or tingling — a pattern known as Raynaud's.
- Get urgent help: Call 999 if a hand or foot suddenly becomes cold, pale or blue, painful and numb, with no pulse — this can mean a blocked artery cutting off the blood supply. Seek urgent help if a finger or toe develops a sore, ulcer or area of blackened skin that will not heal.
- Self-care: Keeping warm is the foundation of managing cold hands and feet.
About cold or discoloured hands and feet
Cold, pale or discoloured hands and feet are very common and usually harmless, reflecting the way small blood vessels in the skin tighten to conserve heat. In many people this becomes exaggerated, so that exposure to cold or emotional stress triggers the fingers or toes to turn white, then blue, then red as the blood returns, often with numbness or tingling — a pattern known as Raynaud's. Most of the time this is a nuisance rather than a danger. Sometimes, though, cold extremities point to something more: narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to the legs and feet, an underactive thyroid slowing the body, or an autoimmune condition such as lupus or Sjögren's, in which Raynaud's can be one feature. The crucial distinction is between the familiar, reversible colour changes of Raynaud's and a single hand or foot that becomes suddenly cold, pale, painful and pulseless — that is a blocked artery and a medical emergency.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if cold or discoloured hands and feet comes with any of these warning signs:
- Call 999 if a hand or foot suddenly becomes cold, pale or blue, painful and numb, with no pulse — this can mean a blocked artery cutting off the blood supply.
- Seek urgent help if a finger or toe develops a sore, ulcer or area of blackened skin that will not heal.
- Seek a prompt appointment if colour changes are new in an older adult or come with pain in the legs on walking that eases with rest.
- Get assessed if cold, colour-changing fingers come with joint pains, a rash, dry eyes and mouth, or other signs of an autoimmune condition.
When to see a doctor
Cold hands and feet that warm up normally and cause no harm rarely need medical attention, and keeping warm is the main remedy. See a doctor if the colour changes are frequent or severe, if attacks are painful, if sores or ulcers develop on the fingertips, or if symptoms start for the first time in an older adult, as these may indicate an underlying condition. Cold extremities with leg pain on walking that eases with rest, or with joint pains, rashes or dry eyes and mouth, should also be checked. Treat a single limb that turns suddenly cold, pale, painful and pulseless as a 999 emergency.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of cold or discoloured hands and feet
Cold or discoloured hands and feet has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Keeping warm is the foundation of managing cold hands and feet. Wear gloves and warm socks, layer clothing, and warm your hands before going out into the cold; some people find heated gloves or hand warmers useful. Keep your whole body warm, as chilling your core makes the extremities clamp down. Avoid sudden temperature changes, and run warm (not hot) water over cold, colour-changed fingers to help them recover. Stopping smoking is particularly important, as tobacco narrows blood vessels and worsens the problem, and managing stress can reduce stress-triggered attacks. Regular gentle exercise helps circulation. If colour changes are frequent, painful, leave sores on the fingertips, or are new in an older adult, seek medical advice.
Answers
Cold or discoloured hands and feet: frequently asked questions
What is Raynaud's?
Raynaud's is an exaggerated narrowing of small blood vessels, so cold or stress makes the fingers or toes turn white, then blue, then red, often with numbness or tingling, before recovering. It is usually harmless but can sometimes accompany other conditions.
When are cold hands a sign of something serious?
Be concerned if colour changes are new in an older adult, if sores or ulcers form on the fingertips, if there is leg pain on walking, or if there are joint pains, rashes or dry eyes and mouth. A single suddenly cold, pale, pulseless limb is an emergency.
Can an underactive thyroid cause cold hands and feet?
Yes. An underactive thyroid slows the metabolism and circulation and commonly leaves people feeling cold, including in the hands and feet, often alongside tiredness, weight gain and dry skin.
How can I keep my hands warmer?
Keep your whole body warm, wear gloves and warm socks, warm your hands before going outside, avoid sudden cold, and stop smoking, as tobacco narrows blood vessels. Managing stress also reduces stress-triggered attacks.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK.
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