Burning Feet Syndrome – Causes, diagnosis and treatments

Health Insurance Plans starting at Rs.15/day*

Health Insurance Plans starting at Rs.15/day*

Burning Feet

Burning feet refers to a burning sensation in your feet. Burning feet can be caused because of skin diseases and infection but, when it often occurs it is the general indication of nerve damage. Your feet may be hot as well as you can feel the burning sensation in your feet.

What is Burning Feet Syndrome?

Burning Feet Syndrome is also known as Grierson-Gopalan syndrome where you feel your feet intensely hot as well as experience a burning sensation and at times you may also suffer from pain. The burning sensation is more severe at night, you may feel small relief during the day. The pain may range from mild to severe and it extends to your whole feet and sometimes it extends to the lower leg.

Burning Feet Syndrome is caused by nerve damage in your legs. It is important to note that Burning Feet Syndrome can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. One of the more common conditions is diabetes.

This discomfort may be periodical or irregular, the pain and burning sensation can last from hours to days.

What are the causes of Burning Feet Syndrome?

Burning Foot

The causes of Burning Feet Syndrome are more in number, but if you are prone to Burning Feet Syndrome then it indicates nerve damage in your feet.

Following below are some of the causes for Burning Feet Syndrome:

  • Peripheral Neuropathy is the most common cause of Burning Feet Syndrome. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of nerve damage that occurs if you are diagnosed with diabetes. Years of untreated diabetes can cause severe nerve damage throughout your body, in the condition of peripheral neuropathy the nerves of your feet and legs get damaged. Apart from diabetes, peripheral neuropathy can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, recurrent intake of alcohol, kidney diseases, auto-immune diseases, inherited diseases etc.
  • Recurrent alcohol can also cause Burning Feet Syndrome. Excessive alcohol use can damage nerves this condition is called as alcoholic neuropathy, and the symptoms include burning feet.
  • Morton’s Neuroma is caused by the inflammation or thickening of the tissue surrounding the nerve in your foot, causing pain and irritation. Neuroma mostly occurs in between the toe fingers.
  • Hypothyroidism the symptoms of an under active (not producing enough hormones) thyroid gland can include Burning Feet Syndrome, along with weight gain, fatigue or dry skin.
  • Diabetes Mellitus, diabetes of both types (1 &2) affects the peripheral nerve. When diabetes is left untreated, it damages the blood vessels and nerves of your body. As a result of diabetes, nerves in the legs and feet are affected, which reduces the transmission of signals from nerves and also affects blood vessel walls.
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition characterized by the pain or burning sensation in your feet caused by the constant severe pressure that can cause damage or damage in the posterior of the tibial nerve.
  • An Athlete’s Foot is a condition where your feet is infected by fungus, the infection begins between the toes. The symptoms of an Athlete’s Foot include pain and burning sensation in your feet.

There are several other factors and causes that cause severe pain, intensely hot and burning sensations in your feet.

What are the symptoms of Burning Feet Syndrome?

The following are the most common symptoms of Burning Feet Syndrome

  • Pain in feet or burning sensation (gets worse at night)
  • Numbness in feet
  • The sensation of excess warmth in feet
  • Redness
  • Itchiness

Burning Feet Syndrome

How is Burning Feet Syndrome diagnosed?

There are no instruments to measure the pain or burning sensation that you experience, however, when you consult a doctor, they will make sure to identify the cause of the symptoms.

If you experience the pain suddenly with rapid intervals and if it gets worsen, then the diagnosis is necessary to give the correct treatment.

  • Physical examination is a must needed process, where the doctor collects your medical history. You will be discussing your symptoms and medication if you have taken any. Then your doctor will have a physical examination of your feet checking for infection, inflammation, injury or other related problems.
  • Electromyography (EMG)diagnosis process give access to monitor the health function rate of your muscles. In the electromyography process, a needle electrode will be inserted into your muscle, the electrode will record the muscle activity in response to the nerve cells.
  • A nerve study is performed by your doctor to test your function or ability to transmit signals.
  • The laboratory tests (blood test and urine test)will be performed in the needed situation will be suggested by your doctor in order to diagnose the cause of your Burning Feet Syndrome.

What is the treatment for Burning Feet Syndrome?

The treatment always depends upon the cause of the disease. So, the important process in medical treatment is to diagnose the cause of the Burning Feet Syndrome. In the cause of neuropathy, the damaged nerve should be identified and treated to stop the continuing nerve damage.

Conclusion

Do not overlook the symptoms that your body provides to indicate the abnormality. Burning Feet Syndrome is mostly caused by nerve damage, so it is advisable to consult a doctor if your find yourself are often prone to burning feet.


DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG/WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The Information including but not limited to text, graphics, images and other material contained on this blog are intended for education and awareness only. No material on this blog is intended to be a substitute for professional medical help including diagnosis or treatment. It is always advisable to consult medical professional before relying on the content. Neither the Author nor Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd accepts any responsibility for any potential risk to any visitor/reader.

Scroll to Top