Cold and numb fingers can be a normal result of exposure to cold temperatures. The body naturally preserves its core temperature at the expense the of the extremities. However, cold and numb fingers that are not secondary to the environment may signal an underlying problem with circulation or other health condition.
Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon, also called Raynaud's disease, is a circulatory disorder in which the blood vessels spasm in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress. This spasm is an overreaction. During an attack, narrowed arteries limit the blood supply to certain body parts, causing coldness, numbness, tingling, and skin color changes. The fingers are most commonly affected, although Raynaud's phenomenon can also occur in the toes, ears, lips, tip of the nose and nipples. An attack may last for a few seconds or up to several hours, and it resolves as circulation improves, usually with warmer temperatures. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute estimates that 5 percent of Americans experience Raynaud's. Raynaud's may occur on its own for unknown reasons, or it may be secondary to another health disorder such as autoimmune disease or arterial disease. For most people, Raynaud's is a nuisance, but not a serious illness.
Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes. Diabetes is a disorder of perpetually elevated blood sugar, typically resulting from insufficient insulin or insulin resistance. Having high blood sugar for a long period of time leads to a myriad of health complications including eye damage, heart disease, kidney damage, bone problems, nerve damage and cardiovascular disease. The latter two can cause cold and numb extremities. Other symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, fatigue, blurred vision and frequent infections. Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type, is preventable. A health care provider can screen for diabetes or other blood sugar imbalance using a simple blood test.
Anemia
Anemia can cause cold fingers. Anemia is a condition in which there are insufficient healthy red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. A deficiency of oxygen-rich blood leads to fatigue, weakness, dizziness, irritability, depression, irregular heartbeat, pale skin and cold hands and feet. Causes of anemia include poor diet, poor digestion, digestive disease, surgery, diabetes, shortness of breath, heart disease and autoimmune disease. Certain medications may also cause anemia.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that leads to hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. Internal organs may also be affected. Skin changes that occur include thickened patches of skin on the fingers, tightened skin, and swollen fingers and hands. Raynaud's phenomenon is often seen with scleroderma. The cause of scleroderma is poorly understood, but it occurs more often in women than men and has a higher prevalence in Native Americans and African-Americans.
