I’ve had hot feet for years, especially in bed at night, so I just put my feet outside the blanket until they cool down. In the morning I usually wake up with cold feet. My outer smallest toes then tingle and are less sensitive or even insensitive. I also have that tingling feeling during the day, but then it is not really disturbing.
I now often take a hot foot bath with soda before going to bed, especially when I have hot feet in the evening when I’m resting. I have the impression that it helps a bit, that the pores are open, so that my feet don’t feel so closed in bed. My four sisters all have hot feet and my mother also suffered from this.
What could be the cause and is there anything that can be done about it?
reed
Anouk Jannes, podiatrist:
Hi Riet,
The symptoms you describe are similar to nerve damage, also known as neuropathy. It is often a burning sensation in combination with other complaints. Such as: a feeling of pins and needles or electric shocks, the feeling of ‘walking on cotton wool’, an itchy skin and no longer feeling well from heat and cold. In most people, the probable cause can be identified, but sometimes not. In many cases, a doctor will do a nerve conduction study or electromyography, or EMG study. Sometimes a blood test can also show whether, for example, a vitamin deficiency is present.
The treatment of burning feet is highly dependent on the cause. In the case of neuropathy, the treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms. The treatment should also ensure that the complaints get worse less quickly. Nerve damage cannot be cured. A treatment for this is therefore not always possible.
In addition, in case of vascular disease in the legs (peripheral vascular disease) or shop window legs, burning feet could also play a role. The poor blood circulation causes pain, tingling and a burning sensation, especially when walking. So if load does not increase the burning pain, you can already rule this out.
As you describe, it does occur in family and you could discuss with your sisters whether the above research has been carried out. With the above advice I would advise you to go to your GP for possible further investigation.
Yours sincerely,
Anouk Jannes
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Anouk Jannes is a podiatrist for RondOm Podotherapists. She followed her training in Eindhoven and has been working as a podiatrist and MSU sonographer since 2016.
