Does Cold Weather Worsen Existing Neuropathy? Tips to Manage Symptoms

How Cold Temperatures Affect Neuropathy Symptoms

For those living with peripheral neuropathy, symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet and hands can already be bad enough. However, when cold weather hits each year, many neuropathy patients find their symptoms tend to worsen across the winter months.

But why is this the case? And what can you do to manage neuropathy during freezing or cold conditions to reduce symptom flares?

Understanding How Neuropathy and Cold Are Connected

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves leading to the extremities. This disrupts normal sensory signals resulting in false sensations and pain messages being transmitted.

When neuropathy affected areas are exposed to cold, the disparity between actual and perceived temperatures grows larger. For example, even mild coolness can trigger much more intense tingling or burning sensations in the feet of someone with neuropathy.

Vasoconstriction caused by cold also reduces blood flow to the peripheries further compounding neuropathy nerve dysfunction for many.

Who's Most at Risk of Cold-Induced Neuropathy Flareups?

Anyone with an existing neuropathy condition can find their symptoms spike in cold climates or weather. However, these groups tend to be most vulnerable to winter flares:

• Diabetic neuropathy patients - high blood sugar impairs nerve function and blood flow
• Older adults - decreased circulation worsens in the cold
• Those with autoimmune conditions - inflamed nerves react to weather changes
• People taking certain medications - can affect nerve regulation

Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer patients can also fluctuate more through colder months immediately after treatment.

Tips to Minimize Neuropathy Symptoms in Cold Weather

While the cold will almost always aggravate existing neuropathy to some degree, these self-care tips can help you better manage symptoms:

Wear Warm but Breathable Socks and Footwear

Keeping your feet and toes consistently warm is hugely important to minimize neuropathy pain and burning sensations. The best socks for cold weather include wool or thermal fabrics. Wear comfortableYet supportive shoes too.

Try Electric Heated Insoles or Socks

Heated insoles and socks boost circulation while keeping your feet warm. Battery powered versions work indoors and out when dealing with neuropathic foot discomfort.

Use Toe Separators or Night Splints

Prevent painful neuropathy symptoms caused by toes rubbing together in cold months. Foam toe separators or foot splints worn in bed keep proper alignment.

Take Care With Hot Water Bottles and Heated Pads

While using water bottles and microwavable heat packs can ease chilly feet, take extreme care to prevent burns which may not be felt fully due to neuropathy numbness.

Improve Blood Flow with Gentle Foot Massages

Lightly massaging feet and lower legs encourages blood circulation. Apply moisturizer first to avoid irritating sensitive skin. Go gently over numb areas.

Stretch and Exercise Regularly to Reduce Stiffness

Get moving daily to relieve achiness caused by inactivity in cold weather. Try seated leg stretches, heel drops, leg raises, pointing and flexing feet.

Ask Your Doctor About Compression Socks or Stockings

Specialized compression garments promote blood flow to the feet and legs, keeping neuropathy symptoms in check when exposed to cold.

Lifestyle Changes to Lessen Neuropathy Problems

As well as the above tips during cold snaps, making certain sustainable lifestyle adjustments can also help stabilize neuropathy all year round:

Improve Diabetes Management if Applicable

Getting blood sugar levels under control limits neuropathy progression and severity of symptoms. This also makes flareups less likely.

Maintain Healthy Weight and Fitness Levels

Excess weight and inactivity often worsen neuropathy. Shedding pounds through improved diet and regular, gentle exercise often brings symptom relief.

Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake

Quitting smoking improves circulation while cutting back alcohol prevents blood sugar spikes - both help minimize neuropathy attacks.

Practice Good Foot Care and Hygiene

Be vigilant checking feet daily and wear clean, dry socks to prevent bacterial or fungal infection worsened by neuropathy reduced sensation.

Massage Feet Nightly

A regular nighttime massage aids relaxation, boosts blood flow, and keeps numbness from building up during sleep.

Consider Neuropathy Supplements

Certain B vitamins, alpha-lipoic acid, and other compounds show promise managing neuropathy long term without medication side effects.

Seeking Effective Neuropathy Treatment

Lifestyle self-care can only do so much relieving neuropathy problems amplified by cold exposure. Consulting your doctor about tailored medicinal treatment is often the next step.

Prescription Medications

From over-the-counter painkillers to antiseizure meds, antidepressants and more, various oral and topical drug options aim to ease differing neuropathy symptoms.

Nerve Pain Injections

Powerful injected steroid solutions around affected peripheral nerves may provide several months of inflammation and pain reduction from flares.

Physical Therapy

Supervised exercise programs working to improve balance, strength and mobility help stabilize symptoms long term.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

TENS machines delivering small electrical impulses can interfere with pain signals, granting temporary but substantial relief.

Peripheral Nerve Decompression Surgery

Releasing compressed nerves via minor outpatient surgery shows excellent results resolving chronic neuropathy issues.

Talk over these neuropathy treatment options with your physician to find the right solution for your situation.

The Takeaway - Coping With Neuropathy in Cold Weather

Managing peripheral neuropathy under normal circumstances presents challenges enough. But when chilly winter temperatures hit, worsening pain, numbness and tingling often flare too.

While covering up warm, improving blood flow to the extremities, and modifying lifestyle factors can all help stabilize symptoms, consulting your doctor about medication or potential procedures may also provide lasting relief if self-care falls short.

Understanding why many neuropathy patients suffer more through fall and winter allows you to better prepare in advance. This helps ensure cold snaps don't allow neuropathic problems to spiral out of control so you can keep moving comfortably all year round.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.