Hot feet at night, often called "burning feet syndrome," means your feet feel intensely hot, burning, or tingling, disrupting sleep, and usually signals nerve issues (peripheral neuropathy), poor circulation, or underlying conditions like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies (especially B vitamins), thyroid problems, or infections, though normal body temperature drops can also cause it.
While fatigue or a skin infection can cause temporarily burning or inflamed feet, burning feet are most often a sign of nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy). Nerve damage has many different causes, including diabetes, chronic alcohol use, exposure to certain toxins, certain B vitamin deficiencies or HIV infection.
As the body prepares for sleep, it lowers core body temperature by increasing blood flow to the hands and feet. This process, known as distal vasodilation, can make your feet feel hot at night. The increased peripheral blood flow to the feet and hands typically helps you fall asleep faster.
Try the following eight home remedies for burning feet to find temporary relief until you can make it to the doctor.
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.
Temperature management: Use breathable bedding and keep your bedroom cool at night to help regulate foot temperature. Stress reduction: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, as stress can worsen burning sensation in feet.
Your feet act as temperature regulators for your whole body, and when they're warm, they trigger a cascade of positive effects throughout your system. From better sleep to improved circulation, the benefits of warm feet extend far beyond your toes.
Peripheral Neuropathy
This condition often causes burning, tingling, or shooting pain in the feet that can intensify at night. For many people with peripheral neuropathy, the lack of distractions and the quiet of nighttime can make pain more noticeable.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is known to cause burning feet at night. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to nerve damage, resulting in neuropathy and the sensation of burning, tingling, or prickling in the feet, especially at night. How do I stop my legs from burning at night?
How To Relieve Peripheral Neuropathy Pain At Night
Pseudomonas hot-foot syndrome is a skin infection of the soles caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is characterized by painful erythematous plantar nodules, typically occurring in children following use of Pseudomonas-contaminated pools. Similar involvement of the palms has been reported less frequently.
Dehydration can cause your body temperature to rise, making your feet feel hot. Ensure you drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated and help regulate your body temperature. Aiming for at least eight glasses of water daily can support overall health and prevent dehydration-related symptoms.
Poor Blood Supply to Extremities
Poor blood supply to the legs may lead to: Pain, achiness, fatigue, burning, or discomfort in the muscles of your feet, calves, or thighs. Symptoms that often appear during walking or exercise, and go away after several minutes of rest.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy might include: Gradual onset of numbness, prickling, or tingling in your feet or hands. These sensations can spread upward into your legs and arms. Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain.
High blood pressure is another condition related to blood circulation that can cause burning feet. Hypertension can also cause decreased circulation, resulting in changes in skin colour, reduced pulse rate in the feet, reduced temperature in the extremities, and a burning sensation.
Pins and Needles Sensations
Experiencing tingling in your hands, feet, or legs can be an early warning sign of B12 deficiency. This happens because B12 helps maintain the protective coating around your nerves.
Here are 10 unexpected signs of a vitamin D deficiency that may surprise you.
Hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which the thyroid gland's production of hormones is insufficient. This too might manifest as a burning sensation on the feet. Chemotherapy: One common side effect of chemotherapy is peripheral neuropathy, which as already mentioned, results in a burning sensation in the feet.
How is burning feet syndrome treated?
Medical conditions that can cause foot pain
Schedule an office visit if you:
Continue to experience burning feet, despite several weeks of self-care. Notice that the symptom is becoming more intense and painful. Feel the burning sensation has started to spread up into your legs. Start losing the feeling in your toes or feet.
A DPM can examine your feet for diabetes warning signs such as redness, numbness, swelling, scaly skin, inflammation, loss of hair on the toes, and non-healing wounds or sores. If symptoms are found, the DPM will refer you to other physicians, in addition to scheduling you for regular visits.
A hot sensation in the feet can have various causes, such as nutrient deficiencies, diabetic neuropathy, pregnancy, and lifestyle factors. Treating the underlying cause may help with hot feet. If symptoms persist, are severe, or occur alongside other symptoms, a person should talk with a doctor.
Inadequate vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, increased risk of falls, fractures and bone and muscle pain. In the foot and ankle, stress fractures of the metatarsal bones and ankle may be seen in those with vitamin D deficiency, as well as generalized foot pain.