What you should know about hot feet
A hot or burning sensation in the feet is referred to as “hot feet.” This relatively common sensation, which can range from mild to severe, occurs frequently at night.
Hot feet can occasionally be accompanied by symptoms like “pins and needles” (paresthesia), numbness, redness, and swelling. However, there are usually no physical signs of hot feet.
“Hot feet cause
A variety of reasons can lead to hot feet, such as:
Deficiencies in nutrients
Nerves require specific nutrients to function properly. If the body is unable to absorb nutrients, the risk of nerve damage and hot feet increases. Deficiencies in folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B-12 can aggravate neuropathy.
According to research by a trusted source, malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies are linked to:
- Eating disorders
- alcohol abuse.
- homelessness
- Pregnancy
- lower socioeconomic status
- at an older age.
Diabetes-related neuropathy
One of the most common triggers of burning feet is diabetic neuropathy.
This condition, caused by nerve damage, is a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness in the arms, hands, legs, and feet, in addition to burning sensations.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women may experience hot feet as a result of hormonal changes that raise body temperature. Hot feet during pregnancy may also be caused by an increased load on the feet as a result of natural weight gain and an increase in total body fluid.
Menopause
Menopause can result in hormonal changes that cause elevated body temperature and hot feet.Menopause affects the vast majority of women aged 45 to 55.
A fungus infection
At any given time, it is estimated that 15 to 25% of people have athlete’s foot, a common fungal infection.
It is critical to treat this infection as soon as possible because it can spread to other parts of the body and to other people.
Heavy metal exposure
Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, or mercury can cause a burning sensation in the feet and hands.
If these substances accumulate in the body, they can become toxic and interfere with nerve function.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that destroys rapidly growing cells in the body. It can, however, cause nerve damage and the associated symptoms of burning and tingling in the feet and hands.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (CMT)
This type of hereditary neuropathy can cause hot or tingling feet in some people. Affecting one out of every 2,500 people, CMT is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders in the United States, according to a reliable source.
Kidney disease that is chronic
Chronic kidney disease is also known as uremia.
Chronic kidney disease, also known as uremia, is caused by kidney damage.Toxins are no longer eliminated from the body by the organs through the urine. Toxic buildup can cause neuropathy over time. dependable source
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid hormone levels, known as hypothyroidism, can cause tingling, numbness, or pain in the feet, legs, arms, or hands. These sensations occur as a result of nerve damage caused by consistently low thyroid hormone levels in the body.
HIV and AIDS:
Peripheral neuropathy and hot or burning feet are symptoms of AIDS or late-stage HIV. Nerve damage is estimated to affect nearly one-third of HIV patients.
Some AIDS medications, including certain nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), cause neuropathy, according to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.
Abuse of alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption is another common cause of hot feet, and it can cause nerve damage in the feet and other parts of the body, a condition known as alcoholic neuropathy.
This nerve damage occurs because alcohol impairs the body’s ability to absorb and use nutrients necessary for proper nerve function. It also occurs because alcohol is toxic to the nerves in the body.
The syndrome of Guillain-Barré (GBS)
The immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system, resulting in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Symptoms include varying degrees of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs and feet, as well as trunk and arm involvement.
GBS is a rare condition that affects one in every 100,000 people. dependable source GBS affects both men and women equally.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a long-term neurological disorder characterised by impaired sensory function and progressive weakness in the legs and arms. It may cause tingling or burning in the feet and hands.
Erythromelalgia
Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder that primarily affects the feet. It is distinguished by excruciating pain, redness, and heat sensations in the feet and hands. Symptoms can occur on a continuous or periodic basis.
Vasculitis
Because blood cannot flow freely to the extremities due to inflammation of blood vessels, this condition can cause pain and tingling in the feet. It has the ability to harm tissue.
Sarcoidosis
Inflammatory cells known as granulomas form in the body during this inflammatory condition. The feet may burn or feel hot if the skin or nervous system is affected.
Factors of living
Poor footwear and prolonged standing or walking, especially in hot weather, can result in hot or burning feet.
Treatment
The treatment for hot feet varies depending on the cause of the symptoms. Treatment options include:
Taking care of the underlying medical condition
When diabetic neuropathy causes hot feet, for example, regulating blood sugar levels may provide relief.
Hot feet caused by inflammatory and chronic conditions can be managed and treated by adhering to the prescribed treatment regimen.
Medication substitution
Changing medications can sometimes help, as in the case of HIV medications that cause neuropathy. It is critical to only change medications after consulting with a doctor.
Changes in lifestyle
If hot feet are caused by improper shoes, sweaty feet, or recurring athlete’s foot, the following changes may help:
- Wear a different pair of shoes every other day to allow each pair to air out.
- Check that your shoes fit properly and have adequate airflow. If necessary, use supportive inserts.
- Change your socks on a regular basis, especially after working out. Choose natural cotton socks or socks that wick moisture away from the skin.
- Never put on wet socks or shoes.
- Wear sandals that allow your feet to breathe in warm weather.
- To reduce the risk of infection, wear flip-flops when using public pools and showers.
- The possibility of getting athlete’s foot or another foot infection
- Foot powder can be used to absorb excess moisture from the feet.
- When feasible, avoid standing or walking for long periods of time.
- Place your hot feet in a basin of cool water after a long day or before bed.
When should I go to the doctor?
People who have hot feet on a regular basis, or whose hot feet are severe or accompanied by other symptoms, should consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause.
When nerve damage is the root cause, immediate treatment is required to halt the progression of the neuropathy.
Seek emergency medical attention if you feel:
- A sudden hot or burning sensation in the feet occurs.
- Toxic exposure can cause hot feet and other symptoms.
- The sensation of burning spreads up the legs.
- There is numbness in the toes or feet.
