No, we’re not talking about having second thoughts about taking a walk down the aisle – we’re referring to when your feet get the chills. You will also find that taking a walk on a snowy winter day is not the only reason your toes and feet experience a tingling sensation. To get the warmth that you need, try considering home remedies for cold feet.
cold feet Home Remedies for Cold Feet
Causes and Symptoms
One of the most common reasons feet get cold is their exposure to extreme cold and poor blood circulation. Hormonal changes and genetic factors also contribute to a person that constantly experiences cold feet. Medications additionally affect the blood vessels towards the feet – causing coldness to settle in. If you take drugs for blood pressure or migraine headaches, you could be more susceptible to cold feet.
Medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, heart disease, vitamin deficiencies, and multiple sclerosis, can cause cold feet to occur more easily in patients. Raynaud’s (disease or syndrome) involves the constriction of blood vessels in the toes – making them numb, pale and cold. The condition is also triggered by cigarette smoking, emotional stress, alcohol abuse and other diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of cold feet include a cold sensation in the feet and toes. They may become pale or blue. Other people complain of throbbing pain and swelling in the feet.
Cold Feet Home Remedies
Sometimes, it is important to spring into action for a case of cold feet – depending on the cause of your symptoms, the complications can spiral out of control. Some people experience localized pockets of infection under the skin, severely cracked or dry skin, loss of sensation, and in very serious cases, gangrene (death of tissues). Whether you are battling a medical condition that leaves you with chilly feet or the wintertime is harsh on your body temperature, you may want to consider the following home remedies for cold feet:
Massage Your Tootsies:
Massaging your feet produces a warming effect that can help increase circulation to that part of the body.
Warm Oil Massage:
A therapeutic massage of the feet using oils can warm cold feet in an instant, which helps stimulate blood flow. Oils that have proven beneficial for cold feet include ginger, rosemary, black pepper, eucalyptus, and sweet almond. After using oils, wash your feet in lukewarm water. Don’t forget to dry them completely.
Warm Footbath:
Soaking your feet in a warm bath for around 15 to 20 minutes will help ease coldness. To enhance the results of your foot soak, add a few drops of ginger, rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint and cypress essential oils to the warm water.
Epsom Salt:
Add Epsom salt to a warm water soak for the feet, which can help treat coldness. It is important that you don’t immerse the feet in hot water, which can worsen your condition.
Foot Exercises:
Cold feet can benefit from certain exercises that help keep blood circulation flowing and strengthen blood vessels. For example, take ten steps on the tip of your toes, on the heel and on the inner and outer edges of the feet in succession. Repeat this exercise several times. When seated, try rotating each foot clockwise at the ankle joint for 10 to 20 times. Repeat this exercise counterclockwise.
Promote Circulation in Feet:
There are plenty of ways to encourage better circulation in the feet. Stand on your toes for a couple of minutes and then quickly come back down to your heels. You can also rotate each foot (from your ankles) clockwise and then counter clockwise. Repeat this exercise until your blood tingles through your feet and you feel a warming sensation.
Lavender:
People who have access to sprigs of fresh lavender in their garden may add to bathwater to treat cold feet. Steep ½ pound of the flowers in cold water overnight. The next day, simmer the plants gently in a pot while covered. Strain the contents, and add the flowers to a bath filled with lukewarm water. Soak your feet in the solution to promote relaxing circulation.
Salt:
Add one cup of table salt to your bathtub that is filled with hot water that reaches your ankles. Soak your feet in the water for 15 minutes. Follow up by drying your feet, and then massaging them with damp salt to remove dead skin. This will also stimulate circulation. Massage for three to five minutes, and then rinse off with lukewarm water. Dry thoroughly.
Toe-Grabbing:
To strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation, start picking up objects (such as a handkerchief or a pen) with your toes.
Move Around:
Get active to promote circulation of blood to your cold feet, such as going for a walk, dancing around a room, and jumping jacks.
Homemade Foot Treatment:
A handful of ingredients found in your household can be used to make a foot mask for coldness. Add ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon powder and cayenne pepper, one teaspoon of olive oil, as well as one tablespoon each of honey and freshly grated ginger to ½ cup of finely powdered oats. Add four tablespoons of warm water. Some people include four drops of sweet orange essential oil to gain better results. Once all of the ingredients are mixed, apply the thick paste to your feet. Cover feet with individual warm, moist washcloths. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.
Cayenne Pepper:
With the power to stimulate the flow of blood in the feet, sprinkling a small amount of cayenne pepper has been known to help people suffering from cold feet. Do not use this home remedy with a good pair of socks, as this type of pepper will stain the material. This method is especially helpful for hikers traveling through cold mountain terrain.
Black Pepper:
Some people (especially skiers) have warmed their feet by sprinkling black pepper into their socks before putting them on.
Drink Warm Liquids:
From chicken noodle soup broth to a cup of hot lemonade, you can relieve cold feet by consuming warm beverages.
Ginger Tea:
Since ginger is associated with promoting circulation, drinking ginger tea can help treat cold feet.
Herbal Tea:
Treat a case of cold feet by sipping on a cup of herbal tea. Add lemon and honey for added benefits.
Yoga:
When properly performed, there are some yoga positions that can treat cold feet.
Choice of Socks:
Warm your feet with a pair of socks instead of slipping into your shoes without proper protection and cushion.
Wear a Hat:
As funny as it may sound, wearing a hat can help your cold feet because it will keep the overall warmth in your body from escaping from the top of your head.
Quit Smoking:
Since circulation problems occur when blood vessels in the fingers and toes narrow, smoking cigarettes can decrease the blood flow to your feet and cause coldness. Even secondhand smoke can also affect your circulatory system.
Warming Spices:
There are some spices that offer the body a warming effect. Add ginger, caraway, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, and anise to your dishes to take advantage – especially during cold weather seasons.
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E supports proper blood circulation in the body. Consider adding more foods with the vitamin to your diet, such as beans, almonds, Brussels sprouts, pumpkins, and avocados.
Fruit and Vegetable Juices:
Drinking fruit and vegetable juices can help stimulate your metabolism and circulatory system, which can keep your feet out of the cold zone. Consider the benefits of juices made from apricots, peaches, cherries, plums, grapes, beets, artichokes, watercress, and tomatoes.
Juicy Fruit:
If you are unable to drink a sufficient amount of water throughout the day, you can consume juicy fruits, such as plums, cherries, and grapes.
Baby Powder:
Since damp feet are prone to chilliness, it is suggested to use absorbent foot powders to keep the feet dry. When you do not have a foot powder, reach for baby powder before putting on socks and shoes. Don’t forget to sprinkle in between toes
Stay Hydrated:
If you are dehydrated, beware of the effects of dehydration, which can cause your body to feel chilly. Drink at least eight ounces of water or another clear beverage, such as herbal tea or broth – especially when getting ready to go out into the cold.
Avoid Alcohol:
The warming effect of an alcoholic beverage is only fleeting, and you’ll feel the lowered body temperature (that can affect your feet) for much longer.
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