What are the Causes of Burning Feet?

Feeling a burning or heat sensation in the feet, whether at night or during the day, may have many causes. The most common is peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage in the feet, which is often associated with diabetes, vitamin deficiency, or other causes. (1)

Learn about the possible causes of burning feet.

Diabetes

Hyperglycemia may cause nerve damage in diabetics, which is medically known as “diabetic neuropathy,” which affects any nerve in the body, but is more common in the nerves of the feet and legs. About 50% of adults with diabetes develop this type of neuropathy during their lifetime. (2) (3)

Diabetic neuropathy causes pain, burning and tingling in the feet, often worse at night. (2)

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes an uncomfortable sensation in the legs, often accompanied by an overwhelming urge to move them. Symptoms can also extend to the feet, including feelings of heat or burning. These symptoms typically worsen at night or during periods of rest, potentially disrupting sleep quality.

The condition may be linked to iron deficiency or underlying health issues such as kidney disease or pregnancy. Consulting a doctor can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Vitamin deficiency

A deficiency in some types of important vitamins may cause a feeling of heat and burning in the feet along with exhaustion, fatigue, and other symptoms, and this reason may be more likely if you suffer from malabsorption or eating disorders.

These vitamins include: (4)

• Vitamin B12.
• Vitamin B1.
• Vitamin B6.
• Folic acid (vitamin B9).
• Vitamin B5, in very rare cases, is often linked to a genetic condition that affects the absorption of the vitamin.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause can lead to a feeling of heat in the feet, which is caused by hot flashes. Hot flashes cause dilatation of blood vessels and increase blood flow, especially in the extremities, including the fingers and feet, causing their temperature to rise. (4)

Hypothyroidism

There is a lack of thyroid hormone production when suffering from this condition, which causes symptoms including heat and burning in the feet, in addition to other symptoms, such as: weight gain, intolerance to cold weather, dry skin, and fatigue. (5)

Fungal infection

This condition is known as athlete's foot, and is caused by a fungal infection in the foot, especially when the feet sweat and are moist for long periods. Symptoms include a scaly itchy rash and burning and tingling between the toes and the bottom of the feet. (5)

Injuries

If there is a lot of pressure on the feet, either due to exercise, wearing inappropriate shoes, or excessive feet irritation, you will likely feel heat and pain in your feet. (5)

Other causes

Other less common causes of burning feet include: (1) (5)

• Autoimmune diseases, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) or lupus.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Certain medications, such as chemotherapy.
• Infection, such as Lyme disease or human immunodeficiency virus / AIDS (HIV).
• Chronic kidney disease in advanced stages.
• Allergies in the feet.
• Some rare genetic conditions, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT).
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
• Amyloid polyneuropathy.
• Erythromelalgia, a rare syndrome that causes pain, heat, and redness in the toes, bottoms of the feet, and sometimes the hands.
• Sometimes, the cause remains unknown.

How to get rid of burning feet

Here are some tips that will help cool your feet temporarily until you reach the real cause of the problem and consult a doctor: (5)

• Soak your feet in cold or lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. This helps to feel cool and temporarily comfortable, but avoid using ice water.
• Keep your feet away from the heater or any heat source.
• Raise your feet above your body when sitting or lying down, for example, raise your feet on a table when sitting on the sofa while watching TV.
• Use topical creams and ointments that help cool your feet.

 It is important to consult a doctor if the feeling of burning feet continues, gets worse, or does not improve after following the home tips above.

References

1.Mayo Clinic - Burning feet

2.Diabetes UK - Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)

3.SpringerLink - Epidemiology of Peripheral Neuropathy and Lower Extremity Disease in Diabetes

4.Sleep Foundation - Why Are My Feet Hot at Night?

5.Cleveland Clinic - Burning Feet Syndrome