HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Leg Is Hot Inside But Cold Outside. Underlying Cause?

default
Posted on Tue, 18 Jun 2013
Question: my leg is hot inside but cold outside
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

First, If this happened suddenly and you experience any of these signs you should go to hospital immediately: one leg is colder than another, leg is painful, you have difficulties with toes moving, you have loss of sensation or tingling sensation in legs.

These are signs of acute vessel emboli or thrombosis and should be treated as soon as possible. But this is rare and usually found in people with atrial fibrillation or unregulated diabetes.

If you don't have these symptoms and this wasn't onset then you don't have to be concerned and this can be just sign of reduced blood flow which is usually caused by neural and vasoconstrictive changes. These changes can be benign and temporary,but in many cases this is sign of atherosclerosis or diabetic angiopathy.

So I suggest to check your basic blood tests including blood sugar, d-dimers and prothrombine time. Also, get Doppler ultrasound of both legs to check artery and venous blood flow.

Till that, avoid cold environment, warm up your legs by warm water and rest.
If you notice those signs I have mentioned, go to hospital.

Wish you good health. If you have any questions I ll be glad to help.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 13886 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Leg Is Hot Inside But Cold Outside. Underlying Cause?

Hi,

Thank you for your query.

First, If this happened suddenly and you experience any of these signs you should go to hospital immediately: one leg is colder than another, leg is painful, you have difficulties with toes moving, you have loss of sensation or tingling sensation in legs.

These are signs of acute vessel emboli or thrombosis and should be treated as soon as possible. But this is rare and usually found in people with atrial fibrillation or unregulated diabetes.

If you don't have these symptoms and this wasn't onset then you don't have to be concerned and this can be just sign of reduced blood flow which is usually caused by neural and vasoconstrictive changes. These changes can be benign and temporary,but in many cases this is sign of atherosclerosis or diabetic angiopathy.

So I suggest to check your basic blood tests including blood sugar, d-dimers and prothrombine time. Also, get Doppler ultrasound of both legs to check artery and venous blood flow.

Till that, avoid cold environment, warm up your legs by warm water and rest.
If you notice those signs I have mentioned, go to hospital.

Wish you good health. If you have any questions I ll be glad to help.
Regards