Every time that our body reacts in an abnormal way, it’s trying to give us a signal. Through these signals our body conveys to us if something is wrong in our body. For instance, pain signifies that you are hurt and that your body needs to heal.
Similarly, having hot or cold feet also signifies that something is functioning incorrectly within the body. Why does this happen? Well, without any further ado, let’s dive right into this mystery.
What Does Hot Feet Signify?
Although having hot feet can be due to the fact that you are wearing warm footwear like boots or socks made out of warm material, however sometimes it is not that simple. In other cases, hot feet may be a way of your body telling you that something is wrong.
According to Christina O’Brien, Ambassador for Australian Podiatry Association, burning or hot feet are a sign of a nerve condition or diabetes.
She further explains that changes within our nerves can cause our body to heat up. However, the following are signals that your body is trying to convey by increasing the temperature of the feet.
It Is A Symptom Of Diabetes And Nerve Damage
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition which can cause both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This condition can damage the nerves in your feet which becomes prominent as it creates a burning sensation in the feet.
People suffering from diabetic neuropathy may also feel numbness or a slight tingling sensation.
You May Be Approaching Menopause
Due to hormonal changes in a woman’s body as she approaches the age of menopause, she can experience hot feet and an overall rise in body temperature.
You May Have An Infection
Fungal infections like hypothyroidism and athlete’s foot also causes burning sensation in the feet.
Other Reasons
Having hot or burning feet can also signify the presence of serious diseases, such as AIDs or HIV.
What Does Having Cold Feet Signify?
There is a possibility that you are experiencing cold feet for no particular reason except a dropin temperature or due to nervousness. However, there is still a chance that your cold feet are signifying something serious.
Coldness in the feet can be caused due to any hindrance in normal blood circulation. According to medical experts, such circulation issues most commonly result from heart diseases, smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
What Should You Avoid Doing With Cold Or Hot Feet
The most common instinct that people have while experiencing cold or hot feet is to either warm themselves up or cool down their body temperature. However, experts suggest against it and recommend that one should avoid indulging in sudden change in temperature.
For instance, you should not stick your hot feet in cold water nor should you put your cold feet in front of a heater all of a sudden. If you must, then do it slowly so that your body has enough time to adapt and adjust to the change.
The Cure
There are a few ways to cure cold feet without making the situation worse. The first step that you should take regardless of whether you are suffering from cold or hot feet is to consult a podiatrist to make sure that you are healthy.
In case there is a health issue then your cold or hot feet will be cured when that health issue is dealt with.
To get rid of cold feet, it is better if you wear thick socks instead of putting your freezing feet in front of a heater. You must make sure that your blood flow returns to the desired area at a slow and steady pace.
Another tip to cure cold feet is to walk and hence keep your feet active especially during the winter months.
When you are dealing with hot feet then it is better to change the fiber of socks that you are wearing to something lighter. Experts also recommend that you should avoid walking or running too much.
You must rest your feet so that they cool down to normal body temperature. There is a possibility that your feet may be cold due to fever as well. In that case, it is advisable to drink water to bring your body temperature down and take medication recommended for curing fever.