Why are a dying person's hands and feet becoming cold?
Cold hands and feet near death often happen because blood flow to the skin and limbs is slowing.
Cold hands and feet near death often happen because blood flow to the skin and limbs is slowing. The body sends more of its limited circulation to the heart, brain and vital organs, and less to the hands, feet, fingers and toes.
This can be a sign that death is getting closer, especially when it happens with other changes such as sleeping most of the time, less urine, mottled skin, poor swallowing, or changed breathing.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional.
What you may notice
The person's hands, feet, fingers, toes, nose or ears may feel cool or cold. Their skin may look pale, grey, bluish, blotchy or purple. The change may start in the feet and hands and move upward.
They may not feel cold in the same way you would. A person who is dying may be very sleepy or unconscious. Their body temperature and circulation do not work normally.
Should I warm them up?
Use comfort as the guide. A light blanket, socks or warm room may help if the person seems comfortable with it. Avoid electric blankets, hot water bottles or heat packs unless the team says they are safe. A dying person may not be able to feel burns or move away from heat.
Do not rub cold or mottled skin hard. Fragile skin can tear or bruise.
If the person pushes blankets away, sweats, looks hot or seems uncomfortable, remove extra layers.
Does it mean they are in pain?
Cold hands and feet do not by themselves mean pain. Look for the whole body: face, breathing, movement, sounds and whether they settle with care.
Ask for review if the person grimaces, moans, becomes restless, pulls away when touched, or looks frightened or breathless.
What to ask the team
You can ask:
- "Does this change mean death may be close?"
- "Do they look comfortable?"
- "Should we keep them warm or remove blankets?"
- "Is there anything we should watch for now?"
- "Who should we call after hours?"
The team may not be able to give an exact time, but they can explain whether the pattern fits the last hours or days.
When to get help now
Contact the palliative care team, GP, nurse or aged care staff if the cold skin comes with distress, severe breathlessness, new pain, fever, agitation, a fall, or a sudden unexpected change.
Call 000 if this is a sudden collapse or emergency in someone who is not expected to be dying, or if there is no care plan and you need emergency help.
You may also want to read
- Why is a dying person's skin becoming blotchy or purple?
- Why has a dying person stopped passing much urine?
- How can I tell if someone is dying?
- Is what I'm seeing normal dying, or are they suffering?