What causes hot feet?
Nov 11, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
The foot generally refers to the feet. In general, feet may feel hot due to various factors such as excessive exercise, high environmental temperature, yin deficiency with internal heat (a TCM concept), athlete's foot, diabetes, and others. This condition can be improved through appropriate rest, adjusting the environmental temperature, wearing comfortable shoes and socks, and medical treatments. Normally, it is important to keep the feet clean and dry to avoid infections, especially during hot weather or in heated indoor environments.
Generally speaking, foot heat may be caused by excessive exercise, high environmental temperature, yin deficiency with hyperactivity of fire, athlete's foot, diabetes, and other factors. Symptoms can be improved through appropriate rest, regulating environmental temperature, choosing comfortable shoes and socks, and medication treatment. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Excessive Exercise
Long duration or high-intensity exercise may cause foot muscles to generate excessive heat, leading to a feeling of foot warmth. This condition generally does not require special treatment, and symptoms will gradually subside after appropriate rest.
2. High Environmental Temperature
Remaining in a high-temperature environment for a long time or wearing thick, non-breathable shoes and socks can hinder heat dissipation from the feet, causing heat accumulation and a sensation of foot warmth. It is recommended to adjust the environmental temperature, choose breathable and comfortable shoes and socks, and maintain foot cleanliness and dryness.
3. Yin Deficiency with Fire Hyperactivity
When the body's yin fluids are insufficient to balance yang energy, internal heat typically develops, resulting in symptoms of yin deficiency fire hyperactivity, such as warm palms and soles, dry mouth, and sore throat. Under a physician's guidance, traditional Chinese medicines that nourish yin and clear heat, such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, may be taken.
4. Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot may be caused by fungal infection, damp environments, or poor ventilation. Inflammatory irritation may lead to foot warmth, accompanied by symptoms such as itching, peeling skin, and blisters. Consultation with a physician regarding the use of medications like boric acid lotion or ethacridine lactate solution may provide symptom relief.
5. Diabetes
If blood sugar control is poor in diabetic patients, peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease may develop, affecting circulation and nerve function in the feet, causing abnormal sensations including warmth, possibly accompanied by numbness and pain. It is recommended to follow medical advice regarding medications such as insulin glargine injection or insulin aspart injection to help control blood sugar levels.
In daily life, maintaining clean and dry feet to avoid infection is important. During hot weather or when indoor heating is sufficient, appropriately opening windows for ventilation or using air conditioning to lower indoor temperatures can help alleviate symptoms of foot warmth.
