A warm, hot, or burning feeling in the feet is not always serious, but it can be a sign of a fungal infection, diabetes, or other conditions.
Occasionally, hot feet can be accompanied by symptoms such as “pins and needles” (paresthesia), numbness, redness, and swelling. However, usually, there are no physical signs of hot feet.
This article discusses the causes of hot feet and possible treatments.
Facts about hot feet
- Hot feet can arise from factors such as a person’s occupation or choice of footwear.
- Athlete’s foot can cause hot, itchy, or burning feet.
- Wearing shoes or socks made from synthetic materials can also lead to hot feet.
- Often, treating the medical condition that causes the hot feet can relieve symptoms.
There are several causes of hot feet, including:
Nutrient deficiencies
Nerves require specific nutrients to function correctly. If the body cannot absorb nutrients, then the risk of nerve damage and hot feet increases. Deficiencies in folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B-12 can contribute to neuropathy.
Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies may be exacerbated by:
- alcohol abuse
- eating disorders
- homelessness
- lower economic status
- older age
- pregnancy
Diabetic neuropathy
One of the most common causes of hot feet is diabetic neuropathy.
This condition is caused by nerve damage and is a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Along with burning sensations, symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Pregnancy
Pregnant people may experience hot feet due to hormonal changes that increase body temperature. An increased load on the feet due to natural weight gain and an increase in total body fluid may also contribute to hot feet during pregnancy.
Menopause
Menopause can cause hormonal changes that lead to increased body temperature and hot feet. Most women experience menopause
Fungal infection
Athletes foot is a common fungal infection that affects
Prompt treatment of this infection is important because it can spread to other areas of the body, as well as to other people.
Exposure to heavy metals
Being exposed to heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, or mercury, can cause a burning sensation in the feet and hands.
If levels of these substances build up in the body, they can reach toxic levels and begin to interfere with nerve function.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that destroys rapidly growing cells in the body. However, it can result in nerve damage and the associated symptoms of burning and tingling feet and hands.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a hereditary neuropathy that may cause hot or tingling feet. It affects 150,000 people in the United States and is among the most commonly inherited neurological disorders.
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease results from damage to the kidneys. The organs are no longer able to remove toxins from the body through the urine. Over time, toxic buildup can cause neuropathy.
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid hormone levels, or hypothyroidism, can lead to tingling, numbness, or pain in the feet, legs, arms, or hands. These sensations occur because consistently low thyroid hormone levels lead to nerve damage.
HIV and AIDS
One of the symptoms of HIV is peripheral neuropathy, and hot or burning feet. Damage to the nerves is estimated to affect nearly one-third of people with HIV.
Some AIDS medications, including certain nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), also cause neuropathy.
Alcohol abuse
Excessive alcohol intake can lead to nerve damage in the feet and other body parts.
This nerve damage occurs because alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb and use certain nutrients that are vital for proper nerve function. It also happens because alcohol is
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
Guillain-Barré syndrome is caused when the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. Symptoms include varying degrees of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs and feet, and can involve the trunk and arms.
GBS is a rare disorder that affects 1 to 2 out of every 100,000 people. It affects males and females equally.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
This neurological disorder is characterized by impaired sensory function and progressive weakness in the legs and arms over a long period of time. It can cause a tingling or burning sensation in the feet and hands.
Erythromelalgia
Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that mainly affects the feet. It is characterized by intense pain, redness, and heat sensations in the feet and hands. Symptoms can occur continuously or periodically.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels. It can cause pain and tingling in the feet as blood cannot flow freely to the extremities. It can result in tissue damage.
Sarcoidosis
In this inflammatory condition, small groups of inflammatory cells called granulomas grow on the body. If sarcoidosis affects the skin or nervous system, the feet may burn or feel hot.
Lifestyle factors
Unsupportive footwear and standing or walking for long periods of time, especially in hot temperatures, can lead to hot or burning feet.
The treatment for hot feet varies depending on the underlying cause of the symptoms. If an underlying condition is causing hot feet, the symptom may improve when a person manages the condition and follows a prescribed treatment regimen.
When diabetic neuropathy causes hot feet, regulating blood sugar levels may bring relief.
Sometimes switching medications may help, as in the case of HIV medications that lead to neuropathy. It is essential only to switch medications in consultation with a doctor.
Lifestyle changes to treat hot feet
If improper shoes, sweaty feet, or recurrent athlete’s foot are causing hot feet, the following changes may help:
- Wear different shoes every other day to allow each pair to air out between wears.
- Ensure shoes fit properly and have good airflow. Use supportive inserts if necessary.
- Change socks regularly, especially after working out. Look for socks that wick moisture away from the skin, or choose natural cotton socks.
- Never wear damp socks or shoes.
- In warm weather, wear sandals that allow the feet to breathe.
- Wear flip-flops when using public pools and showers to reduce the risk of contracting athlete’s foot or another foot infection.
- Use foot powder to absorb excess moisture from the feet.
- Where possible, avoid prolonged periods of standing or walking.
- Place hot feet in a basin of cool water after a long day or before bed to cool them down.
If a person experiences hot feet regularly, their symptoms are severe, or they have accompanying symptoms, they can see a doctor to pinpoint the underlying cause.
When nerve damage is the cause, urgent treatment is necessary to stop the progression of the neuropathy.
Seek emergency medical treatment if:
- A hot or burning sensation in the feet comes on suddenly, spreads up the legs and is accompanied by weakness.
- Hot feet, or any other symptoms, arises following exposure to toxins.
- There is a loss of feeling in the toes or feet.
A hot sensation in the feet can have various causes, such as nutrient deficiencies, diabetic neuropathy, pregnancy, and lifestyle factors.
Treating the underlying cause may help with hot feet. If symptoms persist, are severe, or occur alongside other symptoms, a person should talk with a doctor.