A burning sensation in feet might result due to nerve damage in the legs. The condition is also known as neuropathy. Many health conditions result into burning feet, diabetes being the most common. Many burning feet treatments concentrate on preventing nerve damage and decreasing pain.
Causes of Burning Feet
Most frequently, neuropathy is a reason for burning feet. Damaged nerve fibers more likely become overactive and fall through. Damaged nerves transfer pain signals to the brain even in the absence of a wound. In many individuals with neuropathy, there is a damage in the leg nerves first. These individuals often experience tingling and numbness in the feet too. Many individuals complain that their feet are excessively sensitive to touch (hyperesthesia). They may also have varying degrees of burning pain. It might range from mild to disabling. Read more about normal blood sugar level chart according to age.
Diabetes and alcohol abuse are the most common causes of neuropathy in the legs. Majority of other health problems may cause neuropathy or burning feet:
- Small fiber neuropathy
- Chronic kidney disease (uremia)
- Drug side effects like chemotherapy drugs, HIV medicines
- Vitamin B6 overdose
- Erythromelalgia
- Alcohol abuse
- Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
- Lyme disease
- Heavy metal poisoning (lead, mercury, arsenic)
- Vitamin deficiency (vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6)
The most common conditions for burning feet includes:
- Neuropathy
- Infections
- Swelling of feet
- Athlete’s foot (a skin infection resulting due to a fungus)
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
The poor circulation of blood to the feet may result in pain, tingling, and burning feet. This occurs particularly while walking. Days after gastric bypass surgery, few individuals experience burning feet. Poor absorption of B vitamins after gastric bypass may result in neuropathy in the legs and a feeling of burning feet.
Diagnosing Burning Feet
Many people with burning feet have a likely detectable cause. This may include diabetes. For these individuals, the diagnosis of burning feet owing to neuropathy is straightforward. And, there is no need for an extra testing. Further testing is advisable in people with:
- sudden burning sensation
- rapidly worsening feeling
- no explainable cause for burning feet.
These tests may include:
- Electromyography (EMG). This test of muscle function uses recordings of electrical activity inside the muscles. In this, doctors place a probe on the skin, or insert a needle into the muscle.
- Nerve conduction study. This study tests the ability of nerves to transfer the impulses. In this, stimulation of nerve occurs. Then, measurement of the response in the muscle controlled by that nerve is done.
- Laboratory tests. Tests of blood, urine, or spinal fluid might be advisable. This helps in diagnosing the cause of burning feet. Checking of vitamin levels is also done using a simple blood test.
- Nerve biopsy. Very rarely, a doctor might recommend cutting out a piece of nerve tissue and evaluating it under a microscope.
Treatments for Burning Feet
The most important treatment for burning feet is stopping any ongoing nerve damage. In few cases, treatment of the underlying condition helps in improving the neuropathy and its signs. In other conditions, without an identifiable cause, a doctor treats the person’s signs.
For individuals with diabetic neuropathy, treatment implies a proper sugar control. This needs diet changes, oral drugs, and insulin injections. For individuals with other forms of neuropathy responsible for burning feet, preventing nerve damage is vital. Particular conditions and their treatments may involve:
- Lack of Vitamin. Using additional vitamin B12 orally or by injection helps to replace low levels of this nutrient.
- Preventing too much drinking prevents ongoing nerve damage and lets nerves to heal.
- Chronic kidney disease. Dialysis eliminates toxins causing neuropathy and burning feet signs.
- Using oral thyroid hormone elevates low thyroid levels. This reverses neuropathy and burning feet signs.
- GBS and CIDP. Treatments may include plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) or immune globulin therapy (IVIG).
Other pain medicines might be essential. They lower the severe discomfort few people experience from burning feet. OTC drugs like Advil, Aleve, Motrin IB, and Tylenol control pain in lot of people with burning feet. Prescription pain relievers such as tramadol (Ultram) or low-dose opiates (narcotics) relieves severe pain. For burning feet due to athlete’s foot, antifungal medicines are better. They may cure the fungal infection and relieve burning feet signs. Diabetes is one of the main root cause of burning feet. You can enroll in an online diabetes reversal program by Breathe well-being to get rid of your diabetes consequences.
