Feeling scalding hands and feet can cause us great concern; however, to determine if there is a health problem to attend to, we must try to define if there are other symptoms such as pain or redness in addition to the heat. Considering all the characteristics of this condition, it will be possible to determine the possible causes. Suppose the heat in the feet and hands is very persistent. In that case, it will be necessary to visit a doctor for a general check-up that allows us to approach the cause and refer you to the appropriate professional in the case of being critical.
Meanwhile, in this FastlyHeal article, we explain the most common causes why your hands and feet can feel very hot.
Table of Contents
Female hormonal changes
Determining the causes of hot hands and feet requires a complete evaluation by a specialist. However, these temperature changes may be strictly due to hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle in many cases. It is possible that the heat in the hands and feet coincides with the days before the menstrual cycle or even with the days when you have your period. In addition to this, other symptoms such as pain and inflammation in the breasts, abdominal swelling, fluid retention, increased appetite, pelvic pain, headaches, etc., may occur. Find out more in the Premenstrual syndrome article: duration, causes, and treatment.
It is also possible that this heat in the hands and feet is manifested by significant hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or the onset of menopause.
Keeping a calendar noting the days of the month when the hands and feet are hot can help determine if there is a relationship with hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle.
Primary or secondary erythromelalgia
Erythromelalgia is a condition that, although rare, produces heat in the hands and feet with such intensity that patients report feeling how these areas burn. In percentage, more women suffer from this peripheral vascular condition that can cause discomfort.
In addition to burning hands and feet, patients with this condition manifest symptoms such as itching in the area, redness, and pain. There are two types of erythromelalgia:
- Primary: it appears during childhood and always before the age of 30. It is due to a genetic mutation so that it can appear sporadically as a hereditary condition. It is a sporadic disease whose treatment lies in avoiding the factors that can trigger the condition.
- Secondary: this condition usually appears between the ages of 50 and 60 and is associated with the suffering of vascular, inflammatory, or degenerative diseases such as thrombosis, diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, gout, lupus, hyperthyroidism, multiple sclerosis or the presence of varicose veins.
In cases of primary erythromelalgia, medical treatment usually consists of the intake of acetylsalicylic acid, which helps prevent symptoms and attacks. In contrast, patients with secondary erythromelalgia should receive treatment for the condition to get relief.
Peripheral neuropathy
If your hands and feet feel very hot, but when you touch the area at the same temperature as the rest of the body, the problem may be nervousness. Peripheral neuropathy is when the nerves do not send correct signals to the brain and spinal cord, leading to the production of false signals that generate the feeling that there is more body heat in this area, although it is not real.
The most common cause of this problem is diabetes, although sometimes it can occur for no apparent reason or due to other conditions such as:
- Low levels of vitamin B12.
- Pressure on a nerve.
- Arthritis.
- Lupus.
- Underactive thyroid.
- Liver infections
- Excessive and frequent consumption of alcohol.
Complications from obesity, diabetes, or insulin resistance
When the heat occurs mainly in the feet and without apparent cause, it is essential to analyze eating habits and the presence of chronic diseases. People with obesity, those who suffer from insulin resistance or diabetes, are prone to manifest complications that can lead to significant vascular damage or nerve problems, generating heat in the feet as one of the symptoms.
In these cases, it is essential to consult a specialist as soon as possible to rule out any complications.
Stress
If you feel that the heat in your hands and feet increases during periods of significant stress, distressing situations, or times when you feel particularly nervous, it is possible that it is a reaction of your body to stress.
Controlling tension and managing stress wisely daily will be essential to reduce the presence of this annoying condition. In the following article, you can see good tips to reduce stress.
When to visit the doctor?
If your hands and feet feel warm and you also suffer from autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, lupus, HIV, if you are receiving treatment for cancer, or if you have diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, liver problems, thyroid problems, gout, thrombosis, hyperthyroidism or any other chronic or degenerative condition, it is important to go to a specialist for an extensive review to offer a more accurate diagnosis.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to My hands and feet feel very hot: causes, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.