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The Daily Insight

Can you have a fever with cold hands and feet?

Author

Daniel Martin

Updated on March 01, 2026

Signs of fever with cold hands and feet, or sometimes even an abnormally low temperature along with feeling extremely unwell, should be cause for concern (Fig. 1). If you think you have these symptoms or are worried about one of your patients, seek urgent medical advice.

Correspondingly, why do hands and feet get cold during fever?

When you feel hot the hypothalamus tries to correct this with sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. With a fever, it is actually the thermostat that has adjusted. This means your body temperature is now below 36.8°C, so you feel cold and shiver, to try and raise your temperature.

Likewise, do your hands get cold when you have a fever? Infections may result in cold hands. Any viral or bacterial infection: This may cause fever, which is part of fighting the infection. Cold hands result because your body redirects blood to vital organs.

Then, can you have cold feet with a fever?

A variety of conditions can cause a fever. It's common that people who have fever will experience coldness in extremities. So, cold feet with fever does not suggest one particular diagnosis over another.

What to do if you have a fever but feel cold?

Cover yourself with a light sheet and avoid heavy blankets or clothing, which can raise your body temperature. Sponging your body with lukewarm water or taking a cool shower may help reduce a fever. Cold water, however, may trigger an episode of chills.

Related Question Answers

Why are my hands always cold but my body is warm?

People who have anemia, diabetes, lupus, scleroderma, thyroid disease, poor circulation or nervous system disorders may be more susceptible to having cold hands. And for many otherwise healthy people, it simply represents their body's natural response to a cold environment, and likely isn't a cause for concern.

Why is my body hot but feel cold?

Even if you have a high temperature, you might actually feel cold and begin to shiver. This is part of the first phase of having a fever. Your immediate reaction may be to huddle up under lots of blankets to feel warm. But even though you feel cold, inside your body is very hot.

Can a virus cause cold feet?

Getting a chill can bring on a cold. So bundle up and keep your feet warm and dry. Infectious disease specialists may ridicule the hoary concept that cold wet feet can trigger the symptoms of a common cold. Viruses cause these infections, not wet feet, they argue.

What are the signs of a fever?

Depending on what's causing your fever, additional fever signs and symptoms may include:
  • Sweating.
  • Chills and shivering.
  • Headache.
  • Muscle aches.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Irritability.
  • Dehydration.
  • General weakness.

How do you fix cold hands?

Cold Hands: Home Treatment
  1. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the cold.
  2. Wave your arms in a circular motion to force blood out into your hands.
  3. Blow warm air onto cold hands.
  4. Tuck your hands inside clothing next to warm skin, such as your chest, belly, or armpit.

How do you break a fever?

How to break a fever
  1. Take your temperature and assess your symptoms.
  2. Stay in bed and rest.
  3. Keep hydrated.
  4. Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever.
  5. Stay cool.
  6. Take tepid baths or using cold compresses to make you more comfortable.

How long do fevers last?

Most fevers usually go away by themselves after 1 to 3 days. A persistent or recurrent fever may last or keep coming back for up to 14 days. A fever that lasts longer than normal may be serious even if it is only a slight fever.

What are cold hands a sign of?

For example, having cold hands could mean you have a problem with the nerves or blood circulation or a problem with tissue damage in your hands or fingers. If you are outside in extreme cold weather and you have cold hands, you should watch for warning signs of frostbite.

How do I know if my child has meningitis?

The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion. Red ticks show symptoms more specific to meningitis and septicaemia and less common in milder illnesses.

How do you test for meningitis?

Press a clear glass tumbler firmly against the rash. If you can see the marks clearly through the glass seek urgent medical help immediately. Check the entire body. Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters.

How do you warm up cold feet?

Spray your feet and calves with warm water from a hand-held shower nozzle for several minutes, then with cold water for 15 seconds, starting at the tips of the toes. Alternating hot and cold water promotes circulation and energizes the blood vessels.

Does meningitis fever come and go?

Viral meningitis often causes mild, flu-like symptoms (fever and headache) that go away on their own. Bacterial meningitis can have more serious symptoms and requires medical care right away.

What kind of vitamin deficiency makes you cold?

Lack of vitamin B12 and iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead you to feel cold.

What is considered a normal fever?

Although a fever (pyrexia) could be considered any body temperature above the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (98.6 F or 37 C), medically, a person is not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38.0 C).

Can you check your temperature with your phone?

Fingerprint Thermometer is a smartphone android app that measures the most accurate temperature rate monitor app for any smartphone. Using the app can optimize your health and track your fever.

Is it good to stay warm when you have a fever?

However, they can take an hour to work, so you may have to take other steps in the meantime. Warming up, but not bundling up: Using an extra blanket or two to stop yourself from shivering when you have a fever is fine, just don't overdo it.

How do you break a fever naturally?

Stay cool
  1. Sit in a bath of lukewarm water, which will feel cool when you have a fever.
  2. Give yourself a sponge bath with lukewarm water.
  3. Wear light pajamas or clothing.
  4. Try to avoid using too many extra blankets when you have chills.
  5. Drink plenty of cool or room-temperature water.
  6. Eat popsicles.

How do I know I have a fever without a thermometer?

Without a thermometer

When using touch to diagnose a fever in someone else, touch your own skin first, then touch the other person to compare the two temperatures. If the other person is a lot hotter than you, they may have a fever.

Why does my body feel hot but no fever?

People may feel hot without a fever for many reasons. Some causes may be temporary and easy to identify, such as eating spicy foods, a humid environment, or stress and anxiety. However, some people may feel hot frequently for no apparent reason, which could be a symptom of an underlying condition.

Can being under blankets cause fever?

Dress in lightweight clothes.

Shivers may be a sign that your fever is rising. Do not put extra blankets or clothes on. This may cause your fever to rise even higher. Dress in light, comfortable clothing.

How do I stop shivering when I have a fever?

Often, the only treatment is rest. In some serious cases, anti-viral medications may be appropriate. If you have a fever, gently sponging your skin with lukewarm water can help cool down the body. Be careful not to put cold water on your skin, as it can cause you to shiver or make your shivering worse.

Does a fever breaking mean you're getting better?

As you make progress against the infection, your set point drops back to normal. But your body temperature is still higher, so you feel hot. That's when your sweat glands kick in and start producing more sweat to cool you off. This could mean your fever is breaking and you're on the road to recovery.

How do you get rid of body aches and chills?

Wrapping yourself in a warm blanket can increase your body temperature and possibly reduce chills. If you have body aches, you can take over-the-counter pain relieving medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

Do you feel hot or cold when you have a fever?

Fevers can make people feel hot or cold, Cutler says. You might feel and look flushed (with rosy skin) or shiver, both of which indicate that your body is trying to lower your temperature. When trying to diagnose fever without a thermometer, people often touch their forehead.

Should I take a cold shower if I have a fever?

Myth: A cold bath is a good way to bring down a fever.

Cold water can increase core body temperature by cooling the skin and causing shivering. For the same reason, sponging a child down with cold water is also not a good idea. A tepid (lukewarm) bath, however, might make a child more comfortable.

Why do fevers come back at night?

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.