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Why do you experience a burning sensation in your feet? Know the causes, symptoms, and treatment

A burning sensation in your feet can be caused by nerve damage that can give rise to many other medical ailments and diseases. It is commonly known as the burning feet syndrome. The nerve fibers that get damaged become overactive and send pain signals to the brain.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Updated Aug 3, 2022, 18:36 IST

A lot of people experience a burning sensation in their feet repeatedly, ranging from mild to disabling

New Delhi: A lot of people experience a burning sensation in their feet repeatedly, ranging from mild to disabling. Sometimes, there is also tingling and numbness. Commonly known as the Burning Feet syndrome, this burning sensation is usually caused by several factors that can be deadly or even fatal if not identified properly.

The burning feet syndrome is also known as Grierson-Gopalan syndrome which becomes intense at night with some relief during the day. The intense heat and pain can be limited to the soles of the feet, but also might affect the top area, the ankles, and even some parts of the legs.

Causes of burning sensation in feet

A few main causes of burning sensation in feet are:

Deficiency of vitamins: Sometimes, deficiency of vitamins B12, B6, and B9 can also cause a burning sensation in the feet.
Peripheral neuropathy: It is one of the most common causes of burning feet syndrome. It happens when the nerves connecting the spinal cord to the rest of the body get damaged. It occurs mostly in people with diabetes and the symptoms worsen with time. Also, people who have undergone chemotherapy, those with hereditary diseases, auto-immune disorders, kidney problems, and alcoholics are the most affected.
Hypothyroidism: Whether the thyroid is low or high, it is bound to affect the body. Hypothyroidism causes a burning sensation in the feet due to more production of hormones.
Diabetes: Type 1 and 2 diabetes may also affect the peripheral nerves of the body causing a burning sensation in the feet. Poorly managed diabetes or high glucose levels affect the transmission of signals from the nerves and weaken the walls of blood vessels.

Symptoms of burning feet syndrome

The most common symptoms of burning feet syndrome are:

Numbness in the feet
Tingling sensation in the feet
Sharp pain
Redness of the skin

How to treat burning feet syndrome?

Some of the easy ways to treat and cure burning feet syndrome are:

Soaking your feet in cold water for at least 15-20 minutes daily
Raising legs and feet for some time
Taking pain killers
Avoid exposing the feet to heat

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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