What is burning feet syndrome? - Diagnosis, Treatment and Symptoms

It is characterized by a sharp, stabbing, or burning sensation in the feet, making you feel uncomfortable with associated symptoms such as numbness, heaviness, redness, tingling, or prickling sensations. These symptoms usually worsen at night & might interfere with sleep & daily activities.

Reasons for burning sensation in the feet:

Damage to the peripheral nerves starts sending impulses to the brain, stimulating pain, tingling, or burning sensations in the feet. The underlying conditions can result in peripheral neuropathy.

• Diabetics: Buildup of excessive blood sugars for too long can cause damage to nerves in the feet and legs, resulting in peripheral neuropathy.
• Alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can impact the central nervous system; however, it can also affect peripheral nerve fibers.
• Peripheral Artery Disease: This condition involves narrowing of blood vessels that supply blood to peripheral areas, resulting in oxygen deprivation to the soles and thus a burning sensation.
• Fungal Infection: Athlete’s foot is a common fungal condition affecting moist areas of skin, in the case of using sweaty shoes or socks, where the fungus can grow on your soles and between your toes & causing itching or stinging sensations.
• Thyroid problems: Hypothyroidism, if left untreated for longer periods, can result in peripheral neuropathy.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency: nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency, due to poor diet or underlying anemia or Crohn’s disease, can damage the nerves.
• Use of certain drugs such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and certain antibiotics, immunosuppressants, HIV drugs, etc.

When to call the doctor for a burning sensation in the feet?

If your burning sensation in your feet is lasting too long or getting worse over time & does not improve despite the home remedies, it is important to seek the healthcare provider, often a neurologist, to prevent further irreversible damage to the nerves.

Don’t wait for signs to grow severe. Consult our neurology specialists today

Diagnosis for burning feet:

Certain laboratory tests, including blood, urine, & spinal fluid, are used to determine the cause of burning feet. Additionally, a nerve conduction study involves detecting the nerve function & transmission of impulses, combined with EMG, which records electrical activity of muscles associated with the peripheral region.

Treatment for burning feet:

Treating the underlying causes can improve burning sensations.

• Individuals with diabetes need a combination of treatments, including lifestyle modifications, oral medications insulin therapy, to control their blood sugar can help in treating peripheral neuropathy.
• Including vitamin B12 supplements either through foods such as dairy products, fish, eggs, etc., or medications or injections can treat peripheral neuropathy associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Hypothyroidism-induced peripheral neuropathy & burning sensation can be treated with thyroid hormone medications.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption to prevent the ongoing nerve damage or alcoholic peripheral neuropathy.
• Certain home remedies, including sleeping in cool, comfortable rooms, wearing breathable cotton socks, and using comfortable footwear, can help improve the burning sensation.