❄️ Why do some people always have cold hands?

Some people seem particularly prone to cold hands in winter. Even when the ambient temperature is moderate, their hands remain cool, sometimes almost icy. This phenomenon is mainly explained by how the body regulates blood circulation.

The human body maintains its internal temperature around 98.6 °F (37 °C). To achieve this, the body constantly adjusts blood circulation. When the outside temperature drops, the blood vessels located in the skin contract. This mechanism, called vasoconstriction, reduces heat loss to the outside. The body's extremities, such as fingers or toes, then receive less warm blood.


In some people, this physiological response is more pronounced. The small blood vessels in the hands contract more quickly or more strongly in response to cold. Circulation decreases further, which leads to a drop in the local skin temperature. The hands become cold. This phenomenon is explained by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system which causes cutaneous vasoconstriction, as described in recent physiology work.

Body composition can also play a role. Subcutaneous fat acts as thermal insulation. People with a lower fat mass, particularly in the extremities, lose heat more easily. The hands then cool down faster when the temperature drops.

Hormonal and metabolic differences also play a part. Women more often report having cold hands than men. Several studies indicate that this may be linked to a different distribution of blood circulation and a lower average muscle mass. Muscles produce heat when they work, which influences thermoregulation.

In some cases, more specific phenomena may be involved. Raynaud's syndrome, for example, causes excessive constriction of the blood vessels in the fingers in response to cold or stress. The fingers can then become very pale or bluish before returning to their normal color when circulation returns. This pathological mechanism is well described in the medical literature.

In most situations, having cold hands remains a normal phenomenon related to the body's thermoregulation. The body prioritizes the protection of vital organs located in the chest and abdomen. The extremities then serve as an adjustment zone to limit heat loss. This strategy allows the body to maintain its internal temperature stable, even if it sometimes results in particularly cold fingers... And remarks from people upon contact.