What are The Causes of Hot feet?
The causes of hot feet are mainly due to two reasons. They are:
1) Overactive sweat glands accumulate excess perspiration in the feet, resulting in moist or sweaty soles, which feel hot when touched by others because of the higher temperature. This is known as hyperhidrosis. It can be primary (excessive sweating without any visible reason) or secondary (a symptom of certain diseases).
2) Vascular problems in the feet, including varicose veins, thrombosis, and other circulatory problems leading to poor blood circulation towards your toes and fingers – this could give rise to a hot sensation; bluish color; mild numbness; etc. It is typically associated with older adults, those who sit for long hours in front of their computers, and people with high or abnormal blood pressure.
What are the symptoms that lead to hot feet?
1) Your toes feel warmer than your other body parts when touching an excellent surface such as metal or marble, as your foot might have a raised temperature due to excess sweat. In some rare cases, it can also indicate diabetes or other conditions related to poor circulation unless other symptoms/signs are present.
2) Mild redness on the soles. Usually, not a cause for significant concern but could be a symptom of other health conditions, which a professional doctor/physician should be investigated if detected.
3) The feet feel tired and heavy after standing or walking for a long time, as this could be due to the accumulation of lactic acid in your feet due to poor blood circulation.
4) Increased sweating on the feet, especially if you don’t have any physical activity or if it’s hot outside.
What can you do to prevent or reverse hot feet?
Here are a few simple home remedies and lifestyle changes which you should adopt to combat the problem of ” hot feet”:
1) Before going to bed, soak your feet in cool water for 15 minutes. This will reduce the temperature from within and give you a restful sleep.
2) Avoid wearing shoes with thick soles without ventilation, as they trap sweat inside the footwear leading to wet and sweaty feet. In the case of closed-toe shoes such as rubber slippers or shower sandals, make sure they have small perforations on the sides/bottom so that air can circulate freely inside them. This will lead to a healthy circulation of blood towards the toes.
3) Before taking a shower, soak your feet in cool water for about 10 minutes to reduce perspiration. Then, gently dry them with a soft towel and use antiperspirants on your soles (avoid deodorant soap, though).
4) Some effective medicated powders are available in the market that you can apply atop your feet to prevent or reduce excess perspiration. For instance, I recommend Pharma Clear antiperspirant powder – it’s affordable, easy to use, and works well in most cases of sweaty/moist feet:-
What medications are helpful for hot feet?
1) Antihyperhidrosis drugs such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul), oxybutynin, benztropine mesylate, etc. The main side-effect of these drugs is a dry mouth, due to which you should drink lots of water during the course.
2) Certain antidepressants such as doxepin have an anti-sweating effect, but they need to be taken for at least four weeks before experiencing relief from hot feet.
3) Oral medications such as methyldopa or clonidine work by slowing down your heart rate and reducing blood pressure simultaneously – this can effectively reduce perspiration from your soles.
However, you might experience side effects from these drugs, including low blood pressure (which could make you feel dizzy/lightheaded if standing up too quickly), fatigue, drowsiness, and others.
4) If the cause of your hot feet is poor blood circulation, your doctor might prescribe medications such as pentoxifylline (Trental), cilostazol (Pletal), or even surgery in some cases.
what are the reasons for hot feet:
There are many potential reasons for hot feet, including:
• Poor circulation. This may be due to narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis), peripheral artery disease, or other medical conditions.
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). This can cause your feet and socks to feel wet and sticky, leading to a sense of warmth.
• Menopause. Hot flashes during menopause can cause your whole body, including your feet, to feel hot and sweaty.
• Infection. A bacterial or fungal infection can cause inflammation and lead to a feeling of heat in your feet.
• Medication side effects. Some medications can cause a person to feel excessively warm, especially if they take drugs to treat depression.
• An underactive thyroid. A condition known as hypothyroidism can slow the rate of heat produced by cells in your body, leading to a sense of warmth.
• Shoes that are too tight or socks/hosiery that do not fit properly. This may be due to poor circulation or certain medical conditions, such as diabetes.
Are hot feet a symptom of anything:
While there are many potential causes of hot feet, it is not a symptom of anything serious in most cases. However, suppose you have sudden and severe episodes of heat in your feet accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or a racing heart rate. In that case, you should seek medical attention immediately. These could be signs of a heart attack.
What are the treatments for hot feet:
If you have mild or infrequent episodes of sweaty feet that are not bothersome, there are a few home remedies that you might find helpful
• Try wearing cotton socks to keep your feet cool. Avoid nylon stockings as they can make your feet feel too hot.
• Dab your feet with rubbing alcohol after every shower to help reduce sweat.
• Soak your toes in ice water several times per day for about 10 minutes each time to soothe swollen veins and improve circulation in your legs/feet.
Otherwise, if the cause of your sweaty feet is known (i.e., peripheral artery disease) or has been diagnosed by a doctor, it will be easy to find the specific treatment. For example, if you have poor circulation, your doctor may prescribe medications such as pentoxifylline (Trental), cilostazol (Pletal), or surgery in some cases. Likewise, if the cause is hyperhidrosis, some treatments can be used, including:
• Iontophoresis. This medical treatment uses an electrical current to help reduce sweating.
• Anticholinergic drugs. These medications block the action of acetylcholine, which is a chemical that helps stimulate sweat glands.
• Botulinum toxin type A (Botox). This is a medication injected into the skin to help reduce sweating.
• Surgery. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove the sweat glands from your feet.
• Rubber or plastic sheeting. This treatment can be used at home and involves placing a rubber or plastic sheet over your feet while you sleep. This will help to absorb sweat during the night.
If the cause of your hot feet is an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition. If the reason is menopause, treatments can help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. Lastly, if you suspect that tight shoes or socks are causing your burning feet, it is essential to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.