Hot Hands and Feet
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Hands and feet feel hot
Hot palms and feet
Limbs feel hot
Warm hands and feet but no fever
Fever with hot hands and feet
Only hands and feet are hot
About the Symptom
It describes the warm sensation felt on the limb.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Repeated fever above 38 ℃
- Fever
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- Recent weight loss
- Swelling of the affected area
Possible Causes
Generally, Hot hands and feet can be related to:
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a type of arthritis that occurs in children under 16 years old. It's a chronic condition characterized by joint pain and swelling that can last for months or years. It affects one or more joints for at least 6 weeks. JIA occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues The cause of JIA is unknown.
- Diabetic Gangrene
With this condition, a wound (often in the feet) does not heal well due to diabetes. Diabetes weakens circulation and the immune system resulting in poor wound healing. Diabetes also decreases sensation in the extremities so people often do not have pain or notice the tissue until it is completed dead. The tissue becomes black and dry appearing as it completely dies off. This wound may also become a source of infection leading to spread of infection to other parts of the body.
- Gout / Pseudogout
Gout and pseudogout are diseases caused by inflammation and crystal accumulation in the joints. Gout results from uric acid crystals, while pseudogout stems from calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Both are marked by sudden, painful swelling in one or more joints. Gout attacks can be triggered by eating purine-rich foods like seafood, alcohol, and red meat, while pseudogout may be due to joint injury, surgery, or immune issues.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Fabry Disease / Lysosomal Storage Disorder
- COVID-19
- Ear Infection
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Hot hands and feet may be related to these serious diseases:
- Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis is an infection of a joint space. This can be caused by a wound that penetrates the joint allowing bacteria to enter, complications following surgery, or by bacteria traveling from distant sites via the bloodstream into the joint.
- Cellulitis / Erysipelas
- Osteomyelitis
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have warm hands and feet?
- How often do you experience warm hands and feet?
- How long have you had hot hands and feet this time?
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
What Could Be the Sudden Cause of My Palms and Feet Becoming Sweaty?
A.
Sudden sweaty palms and feet can be caused by an overactive sweat gland response, a condition known as primary hyperhidrosis, which can be triggered by stress or emotional factors.
References:
Turchin I, Barankin B. Dermacase. Essential or primary hyperhidrosis. Can Fam Physician. 2005 Apr;51(4):503, 505-6. PMID: 15856967; PMCID: PMC1472949.
Wadhawa S, Agrawal S, Chaudhary M, Sharma S. Hyperhidrosis Prevalence: A Disease Underreported by Patients and Underdiagnosed by Physicians. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019 Nov 1;10(6):676-681. doi: 10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_55_19. PMID: 31807447; PMCID: PMC6859754.
Romero FR, Haddad GR, Miot HA, Cataneo DC. Palmar hyperhidrosis: clinical, pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. An Bras Dermatol. 2016 Nov-Dec;91(6):716-725. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20165358. PMID: 28099590; PMCID: PMC5193180.
Q.
Is It Normal for My Baby to Have Hot Hands and Feet Without a Fever?
A.
It is common for a baby’s hands and feet to feel warm even when the baby does not have a fever. This is usually due to normal blood flow differences and the way a baby’s body manages temperature.
References:
Burkey BW, Jacobs JA, Aziz H. Temperature Instability in an Infant Treated with Propranolol for Infantile Hemangioma. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2017 Mar-Apr;22(2):124-127. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-22.2.124. PMID: 28469538; PMCID: PMC5410861.
Bach V, Abbiss CR, Libert JP, McCabe SM. Skin Temperatures of Back or Neck Are Better Than Abdomen for Indication of Average Proximal Skin Temperature During Sleep of School-Aged Children. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Sep 18;11:494528. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.494528. PMID: 33061911; PMCID: PMC7530240.
Kundu A, Rafiq M, Warren PS, Tobias JD. Erythromelalgia in the pediatric patient: role of computed-tomography-guided lumbar sympathetic blockade. J Pain Res. 2016 Oct 18;9:837-845. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S110688. PMID: 27799815; PMCID: PMC5079692.
Q.
How Can I Alleviate the Sensation of Hot Hands and Feet?
A.
Cooling your hands and feet using simple methods may help ease the hot feeling. Making lifestyle changes to keep your body cool is often useful too.
References:
Farrar MA, Lee MJ, Howells J, Andrews PI, Lin CS. Burning pain: axonal dysfunction in erythromelalgia. Pain. 2017 May;158(5):900-911. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000856. PMID: 28134657; PMCID: PMC5402712.
Keramidas ME, Kölegård R, Gäng P, Wilkins F, Elia A, Eiken O. Acral skin vasoreactivity and thermosensitivity to hand cooling following 5 days of intermittent whole body cold exposure. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2022 Jul 1;323(1):R1-R15. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00021.2022. Epub 2022 May 3. PMID: 35502861; PMCID: PMC9190731.
Vollert J, Fardo F, Attal N, Baron R, Bouhassira D, Enax-Krumova EK, Freynhagen R, Hansson P, Jensen TS, Kersebaum D, Maier C, Pogatzki-Zahn E, Rice ASC, Sachau J, Schaldemose EL, Segerdahl M, Sendel M, Tölle TR, Finnerup NB, Treede RD. Paradoxical heat sensation as a manifestation of thermal hypesthesia: a study of 1090 patients with lesions of the somatosensory system. Pain. 2024 Jan 1;165(1):216-224. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003014. Epub 2023 Aug 11. PMID: 37578447; PMCID: PMC10723641.
Q.
What Could Cause My Legs to Feel Hot During the Night?
A.
Hot legs at night can be linked to how your body regulates temperature during sleep and may sometimes be related to conditions like restless legs syndrome.
References:
Salminen AV, Rimpilä V, Polo O. Pramipexole alters thermoregulation in restless legs syndrome. J Clin Sleep Med. 2014 Dec 15;10(12):1325-9. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.4290. PMID: 25325594; PMCID: PMC4237526.
Mold JW, Woolley JH, Nagykaldi Z. Associations between night sweats and other sleep disturbances: An OKPRN study. Ann Fam Med. 2006 Sep-Oct;4(5):423-6. doi: 10.1370/afm.554. PMID: 17003142; PMCID: PMC1578640.
Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K. Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012 May 31;31(1):14. doi: 10.1186/1880-6805-31-14. PMID: 22738673; PMCID: PMC3427038.
Mohammadi MM, Vaisi Raygani AA. Investigating the Effect of Temperature Therapy on the Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Med Res. 2023 Dec;21(4):216-225. doi: 10.3121/cmr.2023.1824. PMID: 38296642; PMCID: PMC11149955.
Q.
Should I Be Concerned If My Toddler Has Warm Hands and Feet but No Fever?
A.
Warm hands and feet in your toddler without a fever are usually normal and not a cause for immediate concern.
References:
Manion AB, Lubelchek A, Bensko L. Prolonged Fever: Kawasaki Disease in a Pediatric Patient With COVID-19. J Pediatr Health Care. 2023 Mar-Apr;37(2):208-212. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.11.013. Epub 2022 Dec 1. PMID: 36549986; PMCID: PMC9712069.
Cheung SS. Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure. Temperature (Austin). 2015 Feb 27;2(1):105-20. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2015.1008890. PMID: 27227009; PMCID: PMC4843861.
Bortoli EI, Sakata RK. Tratamento da dor em criança com eritromelalgia: relato de caso [Pain management in children with erythromelalgia: case report]. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2018 Sep-Oct;68(5):531-534. doi: 10.1016/j.bjan.2017.12.009. Epub 2018 Feb 3. PMID: 29402440; PMCID: PMC9391724.
Q.
What Could Be the Cause of My Legs Feeling Hot?
A.
Your legs feeling hot may be due to your body’s natural way of moving more blood to the skin to help cool you down.
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.
Low DA, Davis SL, Keller DM, Shibasaki M, Crandall CG. Cutaneous and hemodynamic responses during hot flashes in symptomatic postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2008 Mar-Apr;15(2):290-5. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3180ca7cfa. PMID: 17700502; PMCID: PMC2840382.
Cramer MN, Gagnon D, Laitano O, Crandall CG. Human temperature regulation under heat stress in health, disease, and injury. Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1907-1989. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00047.2021. Epub 2022 Jun 9. PMID: 35679471; PMCID: PMC9394784.
Q.
What Might Cause My Hands and Feet to Always Feel Hot?
A.
Constantly hot hands and feet might be linked to a condition like erythromelalgia or changes in how your body moves blood to the skin.
References:
Friberg D, Chen T, Tarr G, van Rij A. Erythromelalgia? A clinical study of people who experience red, hot, painful feet in the community. Int J Vasc Med. 2013;2013:864961. doi: 10.1155/2013/864961. Epub 2013 May 15. PMID: 23762561; PMCID: PMC3671268.
Cheung SS. Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure. Temperature (Austin). 2015 Feb 27;2(1):105-20. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2015.1008890. PMID: 27227009; PMCID: PMC4843861.
Cramer MN, Gagnon D, Laitano O, Crandall CG. Human temperature regulation under heat stress in health, disease, and injury. Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1907-1989. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00047.2021. Epub 2022 Jun 9. PMID: 35679471; PMCID: PMC9394784.
Q.
How Can I Prevent My Hands and Feet From Becoming Hot at Night?
A.
You can keep your hands and feet cool at night by creating a cooler sleep setting and using simple tricks to help your body relax and control its temperature.
References:
Harding EC, Franks NP, Wisden W. Sleep and thermoregulation. Curr Opin Physiol. 2020 Jun;15:7-13. doi: 10.1016/j.cophys.2019.11.008. PMID: 32617439; PMCID: PMC7323637.
Romeijn N, Verweij IM, Koeleman A, Mooij A, Steimke R, Virkkala J, van der Werf Y, Van Someren EJ. Cold hands, warm feet: sleep deprivation disrupts thermoregulation and its association with vigilance. Sleep. 2012 Dec 1;35(12):1673-83. doi: 10.5665/sleep.2242. PMID: 23204610; PMCID: PMC3490360.
Tan CL, Knight ZA. Regulation of Body Temperature by the Nervous System. Neuron. 2018 Apr 4;98(1):31-48. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.02.022. PMID: 29621489; PMCID: PMC6034117.
Q.
What Could Be Causing My Legs to Feel Both Hot and Swollen?
A.
Hot and swollen legs may be caused by an internal problem like a blood clot or an inflammatory process, which should be checked by a healthcare provider.
References:
Posner C, Owen M, Melhem N, Vidyarthi M, Low D, Renfrew I, MacCallum P, Chowdhury TA. An acutely swollen leg. Clin Med (Lond). 2010 Oct;10(5):484-6. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.10-5-484. PMID: 21117384; PMCID: PMC4952413.
Elgendy IY, Lo MC. Unilateral lower extremity swelling as a rare presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Jan 15;2014:bcr2013202424. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-202424. PMID: 24431414; PMCID: PMC3902765.
Goodliffe JM, Ormerod JO, Beale A, Ramcharitar S. An under-diagnosed cause of leg swelling. BMJ Case Rep. 2013 May 24;2013:bcr2013009538. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009538. PMID: 23709549; PMCID: PMC3669842.
Q.
What Might Cause My Palms to Feel Unusually Hot?
A.
Hot palms can happen when the nerves and sweat glands in your hands don’t work as expected, sometimes causing extra warmth or sweating without an illness.
References:
Wohlrab J, Bechara FG, Schick C, Naumann M. Hyperhidrosis: A Central Nervous Dysfunction of Sweat Secretion. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 Feb;13(2):453-463. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00885-w. Epub 2023 Jan 10. PMID: 36627476; PMCID: PMC9884722.
Cramer MN, Gagnon D, Laitano O, Crandall CG. Human temperature regulation under heat stress in health, disease, and injury. Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1907-1989. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00047.2021. Epub 2022 Jun 9. PMID: 35679471; PMCID: PMC9394784.
Jeong SM, Kim TY, Jeong YB, Sim JY, Choi IC. The changes of skin temperature on hands and feet during and after T3 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. J Korean Med Sci. 2006 Oct;21(5):917-21. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2006.21.5.917. PMID: 17043429; PMCID: PMC2722005.
Q.
How Can I Manage Sweaty Palms and Feet?
A.
You can manage sweaty palms and feet with simple cooling methods, special antiperspirants, and other treatments that help control how much you sweat.
References:
Jamani NA, Puteri Shanaz JK, Azwanis AH. The man with sweaty palms and soles. Malays Fam Physician. 2018 Apr 30;13(1):52-54. PMID: 29796213; PMCID: PMC5962237.
Haider A, Solish N. Focal hyperhidrosis: diagnosis and management. CMAJ. 2005 Jan 4;172(1):69-75. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.1040708. PMID: 15632408; PMCID: PMC543948.
Gregoriou S, Sidiropoulou P, Kontochristopoulos G, Rigopoulos D. Management Strategies Of Palmar Hyperhidrosis: Challenges And Solutions. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019 Oct 4;12:733-744. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S210973. PMID: 31632121; PMCID: PMC6781850.
Q.
Is There a Medical Condition Associated with Hot Hands and Feet?
A.
Yes, there is a condition called erythromelalgia where your hands and feet may feel very hot, often along with redness and pain.
References:
Patel P, Zhang Y, Unikel LH, Edwards C. A case of sporadic erythromelalgia presenting with small fibre neuropathy. BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Oct 9;12(10):e230549. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-230549. PMID: 31601551; PMCID: PMC6803085.
Friberg D, Chen T, Tarr G, van Rij A. Erythromelalgia? A clinical study of people who experience red, hot, painful feet in the community. Int J Vasc Med. 2013;2013:864961. doi: 10.1155/2013/864961. Epub 2013 May 15. PMID: 23762561; PMCID: PMC3671268.
Braghiroli CS, Ieiri R, Ocanha JP, Paschoalini RB, Miot HA. Do you know this syndrome? Hand-foot syndrome. An Bras Dermatol. 2017 Jan-Feb;92(1):131-133. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20174602. PMID: 28225974; PMCID: PMC5312196.
Q.
What Could Be the Reason for My Arms to Feel Hot?
A.
Your arms feeling hot may be a normal part of how your body handles heat by sending more blood to your skin.
References:
Cramer MN, Gagnon D, Laitano O, Crandall CG. Human temperature regulation under heat stress in health, disease, and injury. Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1907-1989. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00047.2021. Epub 2022 Jun 9. PMID: 35679471; PMCID: PMC9394784.
Low DA, Keller DM, Wingo JE, Brothers RM, Crandall CG. Sympathetic nerve activity and whole body heat stress in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2011 Nov;111(5):1329-34. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00498.2011. Epub 2011 Aug 25. PMID: 21868685; PMCID: PMC3220304.
Green BG. Temperature perception on the hand during static versus dynamic contact with a surface. Atten Percept Psychophys. 2009 Jul;71(5):1185-96. doi: 10.3758/APP.71.5.1185. PMID: 19525547; PMCID: PMC2887300.
Q.
Why Do My Legs Feel Both Hot and Itchy?
A.
Hot and itchy legs might be caused by changes in blood flow or nerve signals, which can happen in conditions like chronic venous disease or neuropathic itch.
References:
Paul JC, Pieper B, Templin TN. Itch: association with chronic venous disease, pain, and quality of life. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2011 Jan-Feb;38(1):46-54. doi: 10.1097/won.0b013e318202c47a. PMID: 21287771; PMCID: PMC3086353.
Murota H, Katayama I. Evolving understanding on the aetiology of thermally provoked itch. Eur J Pain. 2016 Jan;20(1):47-50. doi: 10.1002/ejp.777. Epub 2015 Sep 28. PMID: 26415614; PMCID: PMC5055078.
Oaklander AL. Neuropathic itch. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2011 Jun;30(2):87-92. doi: 10.1016/j.sder.2011.04.006. PMID: 21767768; PMCID: PMC3139924.
Q.
What Might Be the Reason for My Legs Feeling Hot?
A.
Your legs feeling hot can be related to how your body moves blood around to help keep you cool.
References:
Cramer MN, Gagnon D, Laitano O, Crandall CG. Human temperature regulation under heat stress in health, disease, and injury. Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1907-1989. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00047.2021. Epub 2022 Jun 9. PMID: 35679471; PMCID: PMC9394784.
Ameri M, Ebrahimi H, Khosravi A, Mirhosseini S, Khatibi MR. Effect of Local Warm Compression on Restless Leg Syndrome and Fatigue among Critical Care Nurses: A Parallel Randomized Clinical Trial. Crit Care Res Pract. 2022 Aug 27;2022:7330308. doi: 10.1155/2022/7330308. PMID: 36065427; PMCID: PMC9440832.
Tan CL, Knight ZA. Regulation of Body Temperature by the Nervous System. Neuron. 2018 Apr 4;98(1):31-48. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.02.022. PMID: 29621489; PMCID: PMC6034117.
Q.
What Could Cause My Legs to Feel Hot and Heavy?
A.
Your legs feeling hot and heavy may be from changes in blood flow that cause extra blood to pool in your legs, making them feel warm and tired.
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.
Yang DH, Kim M, Yang JW, Cho JM, Park SJ, Kwon HD. Early-stage chronic venous disorder as a cause of leg pain overlooked for lumbar spinal disease. Sci Rep. 2023 Oct 25;13(1):18303. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-45623-0. PMID: 37880332; PMCID: PMC10600168.
Okino K, Aoki M, Yamane M, Kataoka Y, Nitta A, Kohmura C. Prolonged Sitting Causes Leg Discomfort in Middle Aged Adults: Evaluation of Shear Wave Velocity, Calf Circumference, and Discomfort Questionaries. J Clin Med. 2022 Jul 12;11(14):4024. doi: 10.3390/jcm11144024. PMID: 35887787; PMCID: PMC9320137.
Grinnell M, Keyes E, Wat M, Elenitsas R, Diaz D, Vazquez T, Werth VP. Erythromelalgia associated with dermatomyositis: A case series. JAAD Case Rep. 2021 Aug 18;16:37-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2021.07.035. PMID: 34522744; PMCID: PMC8426183.
Q.
What Are Some Underlying Conditions That Cause My Hands and Feet to Feel Hot?
A.
Some underlying conditions that cause hot hands and feet include nerve and blood vessel issues, such as palmar hyperhidrosis and hot foot syndrome.
References:
Evans RJ, Watson CP. The hot foot syndrome: Evans' sign and the old way. Pain Res Manag. 2012 Jan-Feb;17(1):31-4. doi: 10.1155/2012/658730. PMID: 22518365; PMCID: PMC3299035.
Cheung SS. Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure. Temperature (Austin). 2015 Feb 27;2(1):105-20. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2015.1008890. PMID: 27227009; PMCID: PMC4843861.
Jeong SM, Kim TY, Jeong YB, Sim JY, Choi IC. The changes of skin temperature on hands and feet during and after T3 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. J Korean Med Sci. 2006 Oct;21(5):917-21. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2006.21.5.917. PMID: 17043429; PMCID: PMC2722005.
Q.
What Are the Common Causes of Hot Hands and Feet?
A.
Hot hands and feet can be caused by normal changes in blood flow, overactive sweat glands, or reactions like hand-foot syndrome.
References:
Braghiroli CS, Ieiri R, Ocanha JP, Paschoalini RB, Miot HA. Do you know this syndrome? Hand-foot syndrome. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(1):131–133. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20174602.
Jeong SM, Kim TY, Jeong YB, Sim JY, Choi IC. The changes of skin temperature on hands and feet during and after T3 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. J Korean Med Sci. 2006;21(5):917–921. doi:10.3346/jkms.2006.21.5.917.
Cheung SS. Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure. Temperature (Austin). 2015;2(1):105–120. doi:10.1080/23328940.2015.1008890.
Q.
Is It Common for Toddlers to Have Hot Hands and Feet?
A.
It's common for toddlers to have warm hands and feet, as their bodies are still learning how to control temperature and blood flow.
References:
Bortoli EI, Sakata RK. Pain management in children with erythromelalgia: case report. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2018;68(5):531–534. doi:10.1016/j.bjane.2017.12.005.
Kundu A, Rafiq M, Warren PS, Tobias JD. Erythromelalgia in the pediatric patient: role of computed-tomography-guided lumbar sympathetic blockade. J Pain Res. 2016;9:837–845. doi:10.2147/JPR.S110688.
Sun J, Ocay DD, Halpin M, et al. Clinical characterization of pediatric erythromelalgia: a single-center case series. Children (Basel). 2023;10(8):1282. doi:10.3390/children10081282.
Q.
What Could Be Causing My Hands to Feel Hot and Tight?
A.
Your hands might feel hot and tight because of nerve issues like small fiber neuropathy, which can be seen in conditions such as erythromelalgia.
References:
Haque A, Hughes M. Raynaud's phenomenon. _Clin Med (Lond)_. 2020;20(6):580–587. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0754. PMCID: PMC7687329. PMID: 33199324.
Patel P, Zhang Y, Unikel LH, Edwards C. A case of sporadic erythromelalgia presenting with small fibre neuropathy. BMJ Case Rep. 2019;12(10):e230549. doi:10.1136/bcr-2019-230549.
Farrar MA, Lee MJ, Howells J, Andrews PI, Lin CS-Y. Burning pain: axonal dysfunction in erythromelalgia. Pain. 2017;158(5):900–911. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000856.
Q.
What Might Be the Reason for Having Hot Palms and Soles?
A.
Hot palms and soles can be due to conditions that change blood flow and nerve signals in your hands and feet, such as palmar hyperhidrosis or hand-foot syndrome.
References:
Jeong SM, Kim TY, Jeong YB, et al. The changes of skin temperature on hands and feet during and after T3 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. _J Korean Med Sci_. 2006;21(5):917–921. doi:10.3346/jkms.2006.21.5.917. PMCID: PMC2722005. PMID: 17043429.
Braghiroli CS, Ieiri R, Ocanha JP, Paschoalini RB, Miot HA. Do you know this syndrome? Hand-foot syndrome. _An Bras Dermatol_. 2017;92(1):131–133. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20174602. PMCID: PMC5312196. PMID: 28225974.
Evans RJ, Watson CPN. The hot foot syndrome: Evans’ sign and the old way. _Pain Res Manag_. 2012;17(1):31–34. doi:10.1155/2012/658730. PMCID: PMC3299035. PMID: 22518365.
Q.
How Can I Address Hot Hands and Feet When There Is No Fever Present?
A.
Hot hands and feet without a fever can be due to how your body controls blood flow and temperature, not an infection. Simple changes like better sleep, comfortable clothing, and a cool environment might help ease these sensations.
References:
Romeijn N, Verweij IM, Koeleman A, et al. Cold Hands, Warm Feet: Sleep Deprivation Disrupts Thermoregulation and Its Association with Vigilance. _Sleep_. 2012;35(12):1673–1683. doi:10.5665/sleep.2242
Tan CL, Knight ZA. Regulation of body temperature by the nervous system. _Neuron_. 2018;98(1):31–48. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2018.02.022. Available in PMC: Apr 4, 2019. PMCID: PMC6034117. NIHMSID: NIHMS947532. PMID: 29621489.
Jeong SM, Kim TY, Jeong YB, et al. The changes of skin temperature on hands and feet during and after T3 sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. _J Korean Med Sci_. 2006;21(5):917–921. doi:10.3346/jkms.2006.21.5.917. PMCID: PMC2722005. PMID: 17043429.
Q.
What Should I Do If My Hands and Feet Are Hot but I Have No Fever?
A.
If your hands and feet feel hot without having a fever, it’s often a sign of your body’s natural way of regulating temperature, but if it becomes uncomfortable or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should talk to your doctor.
References:
Jha SK, Karna B, Goodman MB. Erythromelalgia. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Yousef H, Ramezanpour Ahangar E, Varacallo MA. Physiology, Thermal Regulation. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Wasserman DD, Creech JA, Healy M. Cooling Techniques for Hyperthermia. [Updated 2022 Oct 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Q.
Why Do My Legs Feel Hot Even When the Rest of My Body Is Cool?
A.
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.
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.
Q.
Why Do My Hands and Feet Specifically Become Hot at Night?
A.
At night, your body naturally sends extra blood to your hands and feet to help regulate your temperature for sleep, making these areas feel warmer. This process is a normal part of how your body prepares for rest.
References:
Harding EC, Franks NP, Wisden W. Sleep and thermoregulation. Curr Opin Physiol. 2020 Jun;15:7-13. doi: 10.1016/j.cophys.2019.11.008. PMID: 32617439; PMCID: PMC7323637.
Vellei M, Chinazzo G, Zitting KM, Hubbard J. Human thermal perception and time of day: A review. Temperature (Austin). 2021 Oct 10;8(4):320-341. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2021.1976004. PMID: 34901316; PMCID: PMC8654484.
Maeda T, Koga H, Nonaka T, Higuchi S. Effects of bathing-induced changes in body temperature on sleep. J Physiol Anthropol. 2023 Sep 8;42(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s40101-023-00337-0. PMID: 37684642; PMCID: PMC10486043.
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