Everyone’s feet get hot from time to time. For example, you expect your feet to feel much warmer than usual during and for a short period after a workout. But what if you always or almost always have hot feet?
Persistently hot feet are impossible to ignore. They can be extremely uncomfortable, make everyday activities challenging and stop you sleeping. Plus, the feeling that your feet are overheating may be accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, such as sweating, itching and tingling.
That’s why we encourage you to visit our experienced London chiropody team if you’re struggling with persistently hot feet. We’ll outline common causes below, but for a firm diagnosis plus tailored treatment and/or lifestyle advice (depending on the cause), please book an appointment at one of our London foot clinics today.
5 Major Causes of Persistently Hot Feet
1. Synthetic Socks and Shoes
If your feet began to feel persistently hot when you started wearing socks, tights or shoes unlike the kind you normally buy, inferior materials could be to blame. Your feet may be encased in hosiery or footwear that doesn’t encourage heat to escape or sweat to evaporate. If your job involves standing or walking for long periods, your feet will feel even worse.
As Very Well Health emphasises, feet should be surrounded by certain natural, breathable fabrics that wick away moisture and provide adequate ventilation, so you ‘feel more comfortable and refreshed’ from toe to heel.
Merino wool is an excellent choice for socks/tights, as it excels at drawing away sweat without getting soggy (unlike 100% cotton socks) and balances insulation with ventilation. Bamboo hosiery also performs well: its micro-holes give heat and sweat an exit route. The most breathable shoes are made from leather, nubuck, suede and canvas – they keep feet cooler than synthetic options.
2. Infected Wounds
If you recently got a cut, blister or bite on one of your feet and that foot now feels as if it’s on fire, check the wound – it’s almost certainly not healing properly.
Harmful bacteria can invade your body via broken skin and cause skin infections. If you have an infected wound, your foot is likely to be radiating heat. You may also notice redness, swelling and pus – signs your body is fighting the bacteria.
Rest assured that our London chiropodists are skilled at identifying foot infections and also the correct antibiotics to eliminate them.
3. Athlete’s Foot
Do you have a burning sensation between your toes and perhaps down the side of your feet, accompanied by an itchy, scaly rash and white patches? If so, then athlete’s foot could be making your feet persistently hot.
People can catch this common fungal infection if feet are exposed to contaminated skin or surfaces. Showers, changing rooms, pools and saunas can all be athlete’s foot hotspots. Up to 70% of people will develop this infection at some point.
You can buy over-the-counter athlete’s foot remedies. But for the most powerful oral/topical antifungal treatments and expert advice, visit our London chiropody team.
4. Diabetes-Related Nerve Damage
If you have diabetes, it’s important to be aware that high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels serving your nervous system. Nerves may be deprived of oxygen and nutrients to the extent that nerve endings in your feet and other extremities (i.e. the areas furthest from your heart) stop working properly. This is called diabetic peripheral neuropathy and often results in strange sensations such as burning, tingling and shooting pains.
Thankfully, neurological checks are a key part of our diabetic foot assessments. Plus, we can advise you about whether neuropathic pain relief medication, physiotherapy or exercise may help if your feet frequently feel as if they’re burning.
5. Chilblains
You’ll probably be surprised to hear that wintry weather can lead to persistently hot feet, but it’s true. If your feet get cold or cold and damp, the blood vessels constrict to reduce heat loss. Warm your feet up too quickly and those blood vessels will expand overenthusiastically, leak and send blood rushing to the front of your feet.
This can lead to chilblains on your toes – red, swollen, itchy areas that feel as if they’re overheating. You can soothe chilblains with calamine lotion, and they should heal in three weeks or less. But if they don’t, we’re ready to offer specialist foot care.
Expert Care and Treatment for Persistently Hot Feet
You can rely on our London chiropody service to help you understand why your feet are persistently hot and how to tackle the problem.
We work from Monday to Saturday and are rated excellent by hundreds of clients.
Troubled by persistently hot feet? Book an appointment with Feet By Pody today.