Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 4/7/2025

Why Do My Legs Feel Hot Even When the Rest of My Body Is Cool?

Your legs may feel hot because your body sends extra blood flow to them, or because the nerves in your legs sense heat differently compared to the rest of your body.

answer background

Explanation

Sometimes, even when your body seems cool, your legs can feel hot due to changes in how your body controls temperature. Your legs might get extra blood to help cool your body during warm conditions, which can make them feel warmer than other areas. This extra blood makes the skin of your legs feel warm even if other parts of your body are not as warm. Another possibility is that the nerves in your legs may pick up and send different signals about temperature compared to your torso. In some cases, if you have been sitting or standing in one position for a while, the way blood flows in your legs can change, leading to a warmer sensation. These differences in blood flow and nerve signals are natural ways for your body to manage heat, and they sometimes work differently in different parts of your body. If you are ever worried or notice other symptoms, it is a good idea to talk with a doctor who can help explain what is happening with your body.

(References)

  • Chiesa ST, Trangmar SJ, González-Alonso J. Temperature and blood flow distribution in the human leg during passive heat stress. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2016 May 1;120(9):1047-58. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00965.2015. Epub 2016 Jan 28. PMID: 26823344; PMCID: PMC4894946.

  • Alkemade P, Eijsvogels TMH, Janssen TWJ, Jansen KMB, Kingma BRM, Daanen HAM. Upper-Body versus Lower-Body Cooling in Individuals with Paraplegia during Arm-Crank Exercise in the Heat. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2023 Nov 1;55(11):2014-2024. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003244. Epub 2023 Jun 30. PMID: 37418241; PMCID: PMC10581408.

  • Pham DD, Lee J, Kim G, Song J, Kim J, Leem CH. Relationship of the Cold-Heat Sensation of the Limbs and Abdomen with Physiological Biomarkers. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:2718051. doi: 10.1155/2016/2718051. Epub 2016 Oct 12. PMID: 27818698; PMCID: PMC5080491.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Hot hands and feet

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom check

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get an free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.