Should I see a gp if I have numb or cold hands?

To assess whether the condition is mild or severe, an understanding of the possible causes of numbness or cold in hands can help you decide when to seek medical advice. This will allow you to be better judge how it can be treated. Although, if you’re in doubt it’s always best to seek qualified healthcare advice in the form of a private GP consultation or appointment.

What causes cold and numbness in hands  

In order to assess whether the condition is mild or severe, it’s first necessary to look at what the possible causes of numbness or cold in hands can be. This will allow you to be better judge how it can be treated. Although, if you’re in doubt it’s always best to seek qualified healthcare advice in the form of a private GP consultation or appointment. 

Possible causes of cold hands 

• Poor blood circulation. 
• Diabetes.
• Anaemia.
• Frostbite.
• Raynaud’s disease.
• Hypoglycaemia.
• Lupus.
• Buerger’s disease. 

Possible causes of numb hands 

• Vitamin deficiency. 
• Extreme alcohol use. 
• Nerve damage. 
• Diabetes. 
• Hand trauma or repetitive strain injury. 
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. 
• Infection. 
• Lyme disease. 
• Stroke. 
• Side effects of certain treatments. 

When to see a doctor when you have cold hands or numbness 

The mild symptoms of cold and numb hands are not usually a cause for concern, as they typically subside by taking certain actions. These can consist of pins & needles, loss of sensation, difficulty warming hands. For cold hands, regular exercise can help improve blood flow and wearing proper clothes can reduce the impact of low temperatures. Alcohol consumption and smoking are also considered to contribute to cold or numb hands, so stopping these can also help alleviate symptoms. 

If cold or numb hands are causing you pain or discomfort, you should contact a GP and make an appointment. However, there are other severe symptoms associated with coldness or numbness in the hands which are a clear sign to see a GP. These include: 

• Weakness or paralysis in the hands. 
• Dizziness. 
• Sores on the surface of the skin. 
• Skin discolouration. 
• Numbness or cold that spreads to other parts of the body. 

What will happen when I see a GP? 

The first thing the doctor will do is to take a detailed medical history before examining your hands. This will help him/her determine if the condition is mild or not. If it is mild, they will likely recommend exercises and activities (both to do and to avoid) that will help alleviate the symptoms. In other cases, the consultation may result in you needing further investigations and/or being referred to a specialist for treatment, or the prescription of medication to treat the disease or infection that is the underlying cause of the condition.