It can be maddening to have burning foot pain. The pins and needles and the burning sensation in your feet and toes can seem never-ending. In some cases, the discomfort can be so bad that it interferes with your quality of life.
What’s causing this problem? Is it serious, like some sort of neuropathy caused by nerve damage? Is it something that can be addressed so that it goes away for good? Well, it turns out there are a lot of possibilities.
If you’re experiencing burning foot discomfort speak with your doctor. They will need to determine the cause of your discomfort in order to address your symptoms.
Here are just a few of the possible causes your doctor may discuss with you.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a name given to a lot of different issues that result in nerve damage. A peripheral nerve communicates with nerves in your spinal cord and brain. You’ll find peripheral nerves in your arms, legs, and other areas of your body.
Some people with high blood sugar levels can have peripheral nerve problems such as neuropathy. It could affect only one nerve or multiple nerves. Neuropathy due to high blood glucose levels often leads to burning pain in the feet as well as numbness.1
A neuropathic specialist can check your blood sugar to see if there is a connection to any symptoms you may be experiencing.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
The tarsal tunnel is located by your ankle. It contains veins, tendons, nerves, and arteries. A ligament covers these structures and protects them. Tarsal tunnel syndrome affects one particular nerve, known as the posterior tibial nerve. It occurs when the nerve becomes squeezed due to some sort of issue in the foot and ankle.
Now, there are many potential reasons why nerve entrapment can occur. Many symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome are similar to those of neuropathy, such as burning and numbness in the feet.2
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia consists of thick tissue that runs from the heel to the front portion of the foot. It’s designed to support the arch. Over time, this tissue can weaken and cause the plantar fascia to become inflamed. Plantar fasciitis is the result.
Athletes and others who engage in consistent physical activity are prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Heel discomfort, as well as a burning sensation in the soles of the feet, are common symptoms.3
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Also known as Raynaud’s disease, this is a problem involving blood flow to the arms, fingers, legs, and feet. The blood vessels serving the extremities can sometimes constrict in reaction to severe cold or emotional stress.
The body’s natural defense mechanism in extreme cold or stress situations is to move blood toward its core.
In someone with Raynaud’s phenomenon, however, this can occur during relatively minor exposure to cold, such as holding a cold drink.
Like neuropathy, symptoms include numbness and tingling in the toes and fingers.4
Erythromelalgia
Erythromelalgia is a form of neuropathy that affects the extremities. It is associated with burning foot pain, tingling, itching, and throbbing in the hands or feet. Nerve pain can occur for a short amount of time, or it can be continuous.5
Rheumatoid Arthritis
People with rheumatoid arthritis may experience a burning sensation in their feet and other symptoms as well. These can include swelling of the foot and ankle, and warmth in the joints of the foot. In some cases, the shape of an affected person’s foot can change with joint deterioration.
Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the toes. Peripheral neuropathy is common in people with rheumatoid arthritis.6
Sciatica
You might not think a condition commonly associated with the spine and back could affect the feet. But it can happen to people suffering from sciatica. The sciatic nerve runs all the way down to the leg. If this nerve is damaged, that can cause pain all the way down to the feet.7
Morton’s Neuroma
This condition can result in swelling or thickening of the nerve that runs between the toes. It usually affects the area between the third and fourth toes, but it can also develop between the second and third toes. It can lead to burning pain that worsens over time, especially when the person walks or stands for an extended period of time.
Symptoms include tingling and numbness – again, much like neuropathy – pain between the toes and pain in the forefoot.8
Stop Living With Burning Foot Pain
As you can see, there are a lot of possible causes of a burning sensation in the feet, including neuropathy. Although many of these causes are serious, a doctor can often times successfully address them and provide the required treatment for foot pain.
Talk to your doctor about your foot discomfort. They will be able to come up with a plan to address your unique needs.
Learn More:
Is Magnesium the Answer to Your Painful Foot Cramps?
Foot Overpronation – How Problematic Can It Be?
Bump on Side of Foot – Causes and Remedies of this Condition
Sources
1 https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet
2 https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome
3 https://www.emedicinehealth.com/severe_foot_pain_plantar_fasciitis/article_em.htm
4 https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/raynauds-phenomenon/
5 https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/news-posts/2019/04/30/need-to-know-why-are-my-feet-burning/
6 https://www.nras.org.uk/the-foot-and-rheumatoid-arthritis
7 https://www.spine-health.com/blog/could-your-foot-pain-be-caused-problem-your-spine
8 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15118-mortons-neuroma
