Cold Sensitivity

Cold sensitivity, also called cold intolerance, is an unusually strong or prolonged discomfort in response to cool temperatures that most people would not find distressing. It can appear as pain, numbness or color change in the fingers and toes, as seen in Raynaud's phenomenon, or as a general feeling of being unable to get warm, which is common with an underactive thyroid gland. Other causes include anemia, poor circulation, nerve damage and certain autoimmune and connective tissue diseases, so cold sensitivity is usually treated as a symptom to be traced to its underlying cause rather than a disease in its own right. Evaluation typically starts with a review of associated symptoms and basic blood tests, since identifying and treating the underlying condition is generally the most effective way to relieve it.