How to Stay Warm this Winter with MS

Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Cathy

The colder months are just around the corner. People who love to snow ski look forward to the cold weather. Others can not wait until it warms up again. And depending on where you live that can be a long wait.

I get cold easily, I always have. My hands, feet, and nose are always cold, even right now I’m sitting here warming my hands on a hot cup of tea. I can even feel cold when I’m indoors at 70° F and 100° F outside. To warm up I step outside for a few minutes, my husband likes to joke about it.

But when it’s cold outside it’s especially hard to stay warm. Some people with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from not only heat intolerance but cold intolerance too, I was one of them.

I remember many times when I was outdoors in the cold. I would be walking just fine then all of a sudden my knee would lock up from the stiffness. Causing me to stumble and nearly falling, that always scared me.

Another symptom people may not be aware of and that is poor circulation. You may not think circulation has anything to do with MS and being cold. But I’ve heard many people complain about their fingers turning white when they get really cold. It is a condition called Raynaud syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon. It turns the affected area white and in severe cases blue, it also causes numbness and pain.

I used to suffer from both Raynaud’s and cold intolerance until I was able to reverse most of my MS symptoms. Living with MS the cold weather can have just as big of an impact as hot weather. Over the years I learned tricks on how to stay warm both indoors and outdoors.

Wear Mittens

When I was in college I had a friend that always wore mittens instead of gloves. She claimed they kept her hands warmer and she was right. I also used to freeze indoors when I worked at a desk job, sitting there all day and not moving very much. I actually wore my coat while sitting at my desk but it was hard to type with gloves on. A couple years ago I discovered the perfect solution combination gloves and mittens.

They are half gloves with the top being mittens that you can pull off and on your fingertips. You can still use your fingers when needed like for using your smartphone. But you still have the advantage of mittens letting your fingers gain warmth from each other.

Dressing in Layers

This is something I learned from my husband. He has seen the toughest guy working in cold temperatures almost in tears. Due to not dressing properly in below freezing conditions. The trick is properly dressing in layers.

Wearing tight underclothes will help hold in your body heat and keep the cold from getting in. A tight t-shirt, long johns, camisole, leggings these will all help hold your body heat in. The trick is tucking them in. Including tucking your sleeves inside your gloves and your pants inside your boots. This stops any cold air from reaching your skin.

Make sure you don’t dress in cotton since it retains body moisture. Instead, wear something that is breathable and more insulating like wool or fleece.

Hand Warmers

Hand warmers were a great invention, they even have foot warmers to put inside your shoes. I’ve been in a couple night winter parades that were extremely cold and those warmers were a life saver. Plus, once activated they stay warm for hours.

You can also buy gloves, mittens, or socks that hold the hand warmers in place. I personally have not tried these. But they may work better than having to constantly adjust the loose ones.

Merino Wool Socks

Several years ago I received wool socks as a gift. Wool is normally itchy but these are not your average wool socks they were Merino wool. They are the most comfortable and warmest wool socks I’ve ever worn without the itchiness.

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep. Their wool produces a soft, breathable and water resistant material. I like wearing them even during the summer, remember I’m always cold. Two good brands are SmartWool and Wigwam.

Hat and Scarf

These are another great option for holding in your body heat. When I was younger I rarely wore either. Now I wear them all the time. I live in an area that’s always windy and when that northern cold air hits the back of my neck it chills me to the bone. I’ll even wear a scarf indoors to help keep me warm.

For Christmas many years ago my husband bought me a baby alpaca scarf. It’s light and durable yet keeps my neck warm, I love wearing it indoors. It is a bit pricey but it is so soft and comfortable, it’s my favorite scarf.

Electric Blanket

Electric blankets are perfect for warming you up. Today they come in many different sizes and for different areas not just your bed. Another gift from my husband last year was an electric throw blanket. I use it when I’m sitting on my sofa, it’s so soft and warm it’s hard to get up and leave. You can even buy an electric blanket for your car.

Warm Drinks

I’m not a coffee drinker but I have always enjoyed drinking a cup of hot cocoa or hot herbal tea to help warm me up. It warms me up right to my bones. I even enjoy holding the cup to warm my hands. There’s just something about it that is also claiming.

Foot Traction

This doesn’t keep you warm but when you struggle with walking it’s extremely important to not slip on the snow and ice. To help prevent falls this Yaktrax walking traction helps give you a little more grip. They are lightweight and easy to put on and off of your footwear, they are perfect to walk out to your car or mailbox.

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