Welcome to the club nobody asked to join! Yes, lupus can affect how the body responds to both heat and cold — and the experiences can be just as unpredictable in either direction.
With cold, some people with lupus report chills, feeling persistently cold, or even cold sensations on just one side of the body. A MyLupusTeam Show Full Answer
Welcome to the club nobody asked to join! Yes, lupus can affect how the body responds to both heat and cold — and the experiences can be just as unpredictable in either direction.
With cold, some people with lupus report chills, feeling persistently cold, or even cold sensations on just one side of the body. A MyLupusTeam member shared: "I am experiencing an ice-cold sensation on the left side of my body — mostly in my hand and arm. I feel as though I am laying on ice." There are a few lupus-related reasons why cold sensitivity can happen:
- Raynaud's phenomenon — a common lupus comorbidity where cold or stress causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to numbness, coldness, or discolored fingers and toes
- Anemia — lupus can attack red blood cells, reducing oxygen flow and making you feel cold
- Hypothyroidism — more common in people with lupus, this can slow metabolism and cause chills
- Certain medications — some lupus treatments can affect how the body regulates temperature
Dressing in layers, avoiding sudden temperature changes, and warming up gradually can help manage cold sensitivity. One important heads-up: if you ever feel suddenly cold or weak on one side of your body, especially alongside confusion, dizziness, or difficulty speaking, seek emergency care immediately as these can be signs of a stroke, which people with lupus have a higher risk of experiencing.
Always share any new temperature-related symptoms with your doctor so they can help identify the cause and adjust your care plan if needed.
September 16
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