A burning feet sensation may be caused by fatigue or skin infections, but most often it comes down to nerve damage also known as peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy causes nerve fibres to be damaged, which then send pain signals to the brain even though there is no wound.
Experiencing this unusual symptom is often an early warning of a health condition that should not be ignored.
If the burning sensation persists or worsens over time it's important to speak to your GP or a podiatrist to determine the cause.
Burning feet can be a symptom of something serious.
What are the three biggest causes and how to treat it?
Burning sensation in feet - causes
Too much alcohol
Health experts warn that years of drinking too much can cause damage to the nerves connected to a person’s feet.
“It can also make you low on nutrients you need to keep your nerves healthy,” said WebMD.
The health site added: “Either or both of these problems might make your feet tingle or burn for months or years.
“If you quit drinking, you help improve your symptoms and stop further damage.”
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition synonymous with having high blood sugar levels.
This is known to potentially cause diabetic neuropathy, which is a condition that damages the nerves that send signals from the hands and feet.
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include numbness or tingling sensations in the feet or the fingers, hands and toes.
To help reduce these symptoms, making lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising or quitting smoking may help.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Being deficient in the essential B12 vitamin is known to cause a number of changes to the body.
Nerve damage is one such symptom which, alongside diabetes and binge-drinking, can cause a burning sensation in the feet.
Eating more foods such as beef, liver, chicken, fish, low-fat milk or eggs can help reduce this burning sensation.
For vegans or vegetarians, adding a B12 supplement to your morning routine can significantly help top up low levels and as such reduce the burning sensation.
Other conditions that could be attributed to a burning feet symptom include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Small fibre neuropathy
- Low thyroid hormone levels
- Lyme disease
- Erythromelalgia
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Vasculitis
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- HIV/AIDS.
Speak to your GP if you are experiencing a burning sensation in your feet.
A nerve conduction test may be done whereby small metal wires are placed on the skin that release tiny electric shocks to stimulate the nerves.
The speed and strength of the nerve signal is then measured to determine how serious it may be.
By taking the right steps to overhaul your lifestyle or taking medication prescribed, this symptom may be reduced.
