The sensation of burning feet can come from a wide range of conditions. It’s important to determine a cause so you can receive treatment. Some causes, such as a foot fungus like athlete’s foot or shoes that are too tight, can be remedied easily. In some cases, the cause is unknown.
1. Diabetic neuropathyYears of uncontrolled high blood sugar can gradually damage your blood vessels and nerves. High blood sugar reduces the transmission of signals from the nerves. This can affect sensation in various parts of the body, including the feet. High blood sugar also weakens the blood vessel walls that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
The nerve damage can occur throughout your body.
Your risk for neuropathy increases if you:
he obesityhe high blood pressuresmoke cigarettesdrink alcoholThere are different types of neuropathy, but peripheral neuropathy is the most common type and the one most likely to affect the feet and legs. About one-third to one-half of people with diabetes he peripheral neuropathy, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Peripheral neuropathy can cause a burning feeling in your feet. Less frequently, it can affect the arms and hands.
Additional symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:
numbness or tingling in your hands or feeta feeling like you’re wearing a tight socksharp, stabbing painsweakness or hey feeling in your legs or armsexcessive sweatingIt’s important to see your doctor if you notice any signs of neuropathy. Managing your blood sugar can help prevent nerve damage or slow its course.
What are some natural treatments for peripheral neuropathy?
2. Small fiber neuropathySmall fiber neuropathy is a painful neuropathy that often results in painful burning in the feet. There may also be a loss of feeling in the feet and short bursts of pain. It occurs as a result of a loss of the myelin sheath, which covers and protects nerve fibers.
More general symptoms can also occur, such as:
fatigueproblems with thinking and focusingheadachebone and muscle painRisk factors include:
hereditary featuresexposure to toxins, including alcohol and some vaccinesinfections, such as Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis Cdiseases involving the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritisdiabetes and other diseases relating to metabolism3. Alcohol usePeople who consume a lot of alcohol are at risk of another type of nerve damage called alcoholic neuropathy. It can cause pain, tingling, and weakness in the feet.
People may also notice:
muscle weaknessproblems with gaitburning painhypersensitivity to painTreatment involves stopping alcohol use and following a balanced diet that provides the necessary nutrients, especially B vitamins. These strategies can help prevent symptoms getting worse and may repair the damage in some cases.
4. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)CMT is an inherited nerve disease. It affects the nerves that control muscles. It’s a progressive disease, meaning symptoms worsen over time.
An early symptom is weakness or paralysis in the feet and hands. The person may he difficulty lifting their foot or develop a high-stepped gait. In time, there may be muscle atrophy, when the muscles lose mass.
A cramping pain can also occur, ranging from mild to severe.
CMT is named after the three doctors who first described it in 1886. Other names for it are peroneal muscular atrophy and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy.
5. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) occurs in a limb, most commonly after an injury or surgery. It involves nerve damage that affects the signaling from the brain and spine.
Symptoms include:
burning paintinglinghypersensitivity to a pain triggerswellingchanges in skin color or textureOver 90% of cases develop after a nerve injury or trauma. However, not everyone who experiences an injury will develop CRPS. This suggests genetic factors may also play a role.
6. ErythromelalgiaErythromelalgia is a relatively rare disease involving red, hot, and painful feet without a known cause. The severity of the disease varies between individuals.
Pain can worsen after:
exercisewalkingstandingexposure to heat7. Nutritional deficienciesA lack of some B vitamins in the diet can result in a sensation of burning feet.
During World War II, an estimated one-third of American prisoners of war in the Pacific experienced burning feet syndrome caused by malnutrition.
In today’s population, especially among older people, nerve damage may stem from deficiencies in:
vitamin B-12vitamin B-6vitamin B-9 (folate)These vitamin B deficiencies can cause burning feet and muscle coordination problems.
Anemia, a deficiency in healthy red blood cells, may also be due to vitamin B deficiencies. Other symptoms of vitamin deficiency anemia include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
What is malnutrition, and how can it affect people?
8. HypothyroidismAn underactive thyroid changes the balance of hormones in your body. It can lead to widespread symptoms, including nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy may be an early sign of hypothyroidism, according to a 2016 study.
9. Infectious diseasesNerve involvement can occur with various infections, and this could lead to burning pain in the feet.
They include:
Lyme diseaseHIVsyphilisshinglesAsk your doctor about testing if you think you he an infection and are experiencing burning in your feet.
10. Athlete’s footAthlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that can affect the feet, toenails, and hands. It is also known as tinea pedis.
A common symptom is itching between the toes or on the soles of the feet, but there may also be:
blisters on the feet that cause itching and burningcracking and peeling skin between the toes or on the soles of the feetdry skin on the sides or soles of the feettoenails that pull away from the nail bed or appear discolored, thick, and crumblyWhat are some home remedies for athlete’s foot?
11. Kidney diseaseWhen your kidneys stop functioning properly, toxins build up in your blood. Various complications can arise, including peripheral neuropathy, symptoms of which include burning foot pain.
Up to 10% of people with kidney disease may also experience swelling and tenderness in the lower legs with burning foot pain.
People who undergo dialysis may he burning foot pain due to nutritional deficiencies, as dialysis removes thiamine, or vitamin B1, from the blood. However, this is rare now as most people receive supplemental thiamine with their treatment.
Kidney failure can also cause:
swellingweakness and numbnessitchingheadachesfatigue and sleep problemsconfusionpainjoint pain, stiffness, or fluidWhat are the best foods for people with kidney disease?
12. Peripheral artery disease (PAD)Peripheral artery disease (PAD) involves a narrowing of the arteries that bring blood to the legs and feet. The symptoms can be similar to those of peripheral neuropathy, including pain in the feet and legs. The pain is often brought on by walking or exercising.
13. Tarsal tunnel syndromeTarsal tunnel syndrome refers to a condition where the nerve that runs from the ankle to the foot is squeezed because of swelling or an injury.
This can lead to a sharp, shooting, or radiating pain in the foot, which may extend up the leg.
Experts don’t know exactly why it happens, but 43% of people with tarsal tunnel syndrome he had some injury or trauma, such as an ankle sprain.
Early treatment can often improve symptoms.
14. Toxin exposureExposure to hey metals and other industrial chemicals over long periods can lead to peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Some medications for treating certain conditions, like HIV or seizures, can also produce nerve damage.
15. ChemotherapyTherapeutic chemicals used to kill cancer cells may he side effects, including peripheral neuropathy.
Other nervous and muscular systems side effects of chemotherapy may include:
tired, achy, or shaky feeling in the musclesslowed down reflexes or motor skillsbalance and coordination problemsmuscle weaknesspainLearn more about the side effects of chemotherapy.