Differential Diagnosis for Heat Sensation in Soles
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Neuropathy (diabetic or peripheral): This is often the most common cause of abnormal sensations in the feet, including heat, due to damage to the peripheral nerves.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Erythromelalgia: A condition characterized by burning pain, heat, and redness in the hands and feet, which can be primary or secondary to other conditions like myeloproliferative disorders.
- Peripheral artery disease: Reduced blood flow to the feet can cause a variety of sensations, including heat, due to ischemia.
- Gout or other inflammatory arthritis: Inflammation in the joints of the feet can cause sensations of heat.
- Vitamin deficiencies (B12, vitamin D): Certain vitamin deficiencies can lead to neuropathic symptoms, including abnormal sensations in the feet.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Although less common, DVT can cause heat sensation in the affected limb due to inflammation and clotting, and it's crucial to diagnose promptly due to the risk of pulmonary embolism.
- Cellulitis or other infections: Infections of the skin and soft tissues can cause heat, redness, and pain, and require prompt antibiotic treatment.
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): A condition characterized by intense burning or aching pain in the hands or feet after an injury, which can also present with heat sensation.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Fabry disease: A genetic disorder that can cause burning sensations in the hands and feet due to the accumulation of a particular type of fat in the body's cells.
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: A group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nerves, potentially causing a variety of sensations, including heat, in the feet.
- Sjögren's syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause neuropathy and lead to sensations of heat in the feet among other symptoms.