December in Chicagoland can be downright cold. In Tinley Park, Illinois, the average temperature in December is only 21.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you’re likely no stranger to cold feet.
Cold feet might seem like a normal reaction to chilly weather, but if your toes stay icy even when your house is warm or when you’re wearing quality boots and socks, your body may be trying to tell you something.
Persistent coldness in your feet can be a sign of poor circulation due to a condition like peripheral artery disease or venous insufficiency.
Our providers at Vascular Specialists can help you uncover the root cause of your symptoms and restore healthy blood flow, so your feet — and the rest of you — can feel warm again. Here’s what you need to know.
Your circulatory system delivers oxygen-rich blood to every tissue in your body. When that flow slows down or becomes blocked, your extremities — especially your feet and toes — are the first to feel it.
Reduced blood flow means your body can’t regulate temperature effectively, which leaves your feet feeling cold, numb, or even painful.
Poor circulation isn’t just uncomfortable; it can also indicate a more serious vascular condition that needs medical attention.
There isn’t just one cause of poor circulation. Several underlying conditions can restrict blood flow to your feet and legs. The most common include:
PAD occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries. As the plaque builds up and takes up space in your blood vessels, it narrows your blood pathways and reduces blood flow.
Nearly 10 million people over age 40 have PAD, which marks it as one of the leading causes of chronically cold feet. Beyond cold feet, PAD can also cause leg pain, numbness, wounds that don’t heal, and if untreated, can lead to amputation.
High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves. Specifically, it can increase atherosclerosis, especially in your peripheral arteries. Not only does this cause general circulation problems, but it also affects your legs and feet.
Because of poor circulation, people with diabetes are also more prone to infections and slow-healing wounds.
When your leg veins struggle to return blood to your heart, fluid can pool in your lower legs and feet. This causes swelling, fatigue, ankle discoloration, and changes in temperature.
Raynaud’s causes the small arteries in your fingers and toes to spasm in response to cold or stress. You might suspect you have Raynaud’s disease if your skin turns white or blue and feels icy cold.
If your cold feet don’t improve with warm socks or blankets, or if you notice other symptoms, it’s time to get evaluated.
Call Vascular Specialists if you experience:
The sooner you address the root cause of your cold feet, the sooner you can get started with strategies to prevent complications like ulcers, infections, and even limb-threatening conditions in severe cases.
At Vascular Specialists, our team uses noninvasive ultrasound imaging to measure blood flow and identify blockages. Depending on your condition, we may recommend lifestyle changes, medication, or treatment at our Vein Care Institute.
For example, if venous insufficiency is to blame, we may recommend laser ablation or VenaSeal® glue. On the other hand, if PAD is to blame, we may recommend laser atherectomy.
Cold feet may seem harmless, but when caused by circulation problems, they can be an early warning sign of a more serious issue. Getting evaluated by a specialist at our Vein Care Institute in Tinley Park is the best way to protect your health — and your feet! — before complications arise.
To get started, call 815-824-4406 or use our online scheduling system.
