# Why are some people more sensitive to cold (weather) than others? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 5, 2010, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017 "2010-12-05T07:14:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/21 "2010-12-06T03:42:25Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I’ve always heard that X%(usually in the 90s) of one’s body heat exits the top of the head. Were that so, it seems like all one would need would be a really warm hat, and maybe a windbreaker, to get through the winter. 😕 It’s a myth. A military study put hatless subjects in Arctic survival suits and measured their heat loss in extreme cold. Because it was the only part of the subjects’ bodies that was exposed to the cold, they lost the most heat through their heads. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1097078/Losing-heat-head-Discover-barefaced-truth-hats-myths.html](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1097078/Losing-heat-head-Discover-barefaced-truth-hats-myths.html) On the subject of African-Americans and cold. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, where the climate rarely gets extreme. When I was young I assumed that I could tolerate the winter more easily than my black schoolmates because I was descended from Northern Europeans, whereas their genetics were from a tropic climate. I was uncomfortable when temp was 80F, they were uncomfortable at 40F. I didn’t often see them during Summer recess, and continued to believe that into my teens. As my circle of friends grew, the black people I knew were just as intolerant of the heat as I was. At that point I realized that sensitivity to temperature was an individual characteristic. ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/22 "2010-12-06T04:08:09Z")
Some people have poor circulation to their extremities, they suffer the cold more than normal. Medical conditions like hypothyroidism or [Raynaud’s](http://thyroid.about.com/od/relatedconditions1/a/raynauds.htm) can also cause extreme sensitivity to cold. ---
**Author:** ![Grey\_area](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Grey\_area](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_area)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/23 "2010-12-06T13:43:28Z")
I’m taking a guess here but I think average body temperature has something to do with it. My ex was really sensitive to the cold but fairly indifferent to heat and when we would cuddle or fall asleep together, her body was noticeable warmer than mine or and any other women I’ve been with for that matter. It makes sense that greater the difference between the temperature and one’s body temperature would cause greater discomfort. So it’s just human variation perhaps… ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/24 "2010-12-06T15:39:21Z")
I lived in hot places most of my life and _hated_ it. Never got used to it. Summer was hell. Then I moved here. Ahhhhhhh. Summers are nice. Winter is better! I like the cold. It makes me feel more energetic. ---
**Author:** ![limegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@limegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/limegreen)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/25 "2010-12-06T18:44:54Z")
I think age plays a great role, too. As a menopausal female, I’m rarely cold. Those hot flashes have to be good for something, I guess. However, my 98-year old mother keeps her house at 80 degrees and wraps up in blankets even at that. ---
**Author:** ![komolono](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/komolono/32/532_2.png) [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/26 "2010-12-06T19:33:24Z")
I have a skin disease and I sweat 200 times less than a “normal” person - so I have very dry skin. I’m sensitive to cold, but also sensitive to hot, too. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/27 "2010-12-06T20:00:13Z")
A part of acclimatizing, or maybe beside it, is being able to put up with the cold. I live in the northern prairies, and it’s not unusual for me to leave my coat in the car when it’s 15°F out, and I’m going into the mall to Christmas shop. Sure, I feel cold. But I’d rather just deal with feeling cold for 2 minutes while I walk inside than to carry my coat around all the time I’m shopping. Same for house temperatures. Yep, I’d rather keep my house at about 72°F, but I actually keep it at about 63°F, because I’d rather wear slippers and sweaters around the house and be a bit chilly, rather than pay the extra money to heat my house to 72°. As **Gukumatz** said: > [@](#): > > Yesterday - when it was a stiff 15c below (5F) - I took long walks without thinking about it. Sure, I still get cold, but I no longer get miserable, at least. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/28 "2010-12-06T21:37:59Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > A part of acclimatizing, or maybe beside it, is being able to put up with the cold. I think this is a very important point. You could have two people who “feel” the cold to the same extent (if such a comparison means anything), but one of them thinks it’s normal to feel cold when it’s cold, and doesn’t mind so much, while the other finds any avoidable discomfort unacceptable and bundles up in warm clothing. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/29 "2010-12-07T01:47:57Z")
I’m not convinced acclimatization can account for the bulk of this. I mean, if it’s so possible for me (someone who hates the cold) to acclimate to the cold, is it possible for you (someone who hates the heat) to acclimate to the heat? I’m happiest when it’s 90, and really don’t mind up to 110. I don’t think your average heat-hater could get used to that any more than I could get used to the cold. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/30 "2010-12-07T02:00:16Z")
> [@hibernicus](#): > > I think this is a very important point. You could have two people who “feel” the cold to the same extent (if such a comparison means anything), but one of them thinks it’s normal to feel cold when it’s cold, and doesn’t mind so much, while the other finds any avoidable discomfort unacceptable and bundles up in warm clothing. I’ve noticed this in myself - I’ll be doing something and be cold, but it just doesn’t matter to me. I’m just miserable in heat. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/31 "2010-12-07T08:16:40Z")
I will point out that anxiety and depression both correlate with lower tolerance to cold. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/32 "2010-12-07T14:57:31Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think the right answer to this is indeed “It’s complicated.” This. I believe that it just comes down to the individual. (I’m an overweight chick who tends to run warm, but I’ve known women heavier than me who were cold all of the time. My ex-boyfriend was cold all of the time, too: the question of where to retire would not have had an easy answer for us. _grin_) ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/33 "2010-12-08T04:42:32Z")
> [@Grey\_area](#): > > I’m taking a guess here but I think average body temperature has something to do with it. > My ex was really sensitive to the cold but fairly indifferent to heat and when we would cuddle or fall asleep together, her body was noticeable warmer than mine or and any other women I’ve been with for that matter. It makes sense that greater the difference between the temperature and one’s body temperature would cause greater discomfort. > So it’s just human variation perhaps… I don’t know about this because the human body has an extremely narrow range of healthy temperatures. My body temperature is average, but I throw off a lot of heat for some reason. My skin is usually warm or hot to the touch, so much so that people remark on it, and it gets hotter the more I eat. My BF calls me ‘the furnace’ and says he’s never felt anything like it. I also have a fast metabolism and tend to be too thin - I think I use any extra calories to create heat, rather than storing them. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/34 "2010-12-08T04:44:46Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I will point out that anxiety and depression both correlate with lower tolerance to cold. And all three are symptoms of hypothyroid. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/35 "2010-12-08T04:52:24Z")
This is entirely anecdotal, but I do believe acclimatisation plays a large factor. I grew up in a cold area (Wisconsin) and still live in a slightly less cold area (Illinois). Every year it’s the same pattern - By the time it drops to 50 F, then 40 F, then 30 F and below in the autumn - man, it feels downright chilly with each “milestone”. On the flip side, when spring temperatures come(April or later, most years) 40 F feels pretty warm 50 F is cause for the wearing of short-sleeved shirts and no jacket 60 F I’m thinking about shorts More anecdotes - my friend who is Puerto Rican has lived in Chicagoland all her life. Her and her immediate family have been here for decades. They’re all about the same as me when it comes to temperature - cold isn’t great, but it’s tolerable. But when her extended family visits from Puerto Rico (and presumably they’re from the same genetic stock ;D) they need heavy winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves for even a mild April day. Same with my Aunt. She grew up in Wisconsin, same as me. But she’s lived in South Carolina for maybe 15 years now. Last time she visited us in Spring she was shocked and horrified to see me comfortable outside (ambient - ~55 F) in jeans and a t-shirt. She was fully bundled up for a proper winter day. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017/36 "2010-12-08T05:17:19Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > And all three are symptoms of hypothyroid. I have hypothyroidism and the first question my doctor asked me was do I feel cold when others around me are comfortable. It is diagnosed by a simple blood test, mention it to your doctor. BTW I used to live in Michigan and now I live in the D.C. area. People around here complain it’s cold when it dips below 45F; in Ann Arbor nobody really complains until it goes below 0F. But that’s all psychological. IME there is no physiological conditioning of a single person for cold weather. Half the issue is people who live in cold climates know how to dress when it gets cold. It’s surprising how many people in D.C. go out with no gloves or hat when it’s well below freezing and tell me how cold it is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-to-cold-weather-than-others/563017.md?page=1)