Are you waking up at night, wondering, “Why are my feet burning?” Burning, numb, or tingly feet is an unpleasant sensation. Depending on the severity, burning feet can be painful and interfere with your daily activities or sleep. 

Burning feet can result from several different causes. Let’s take a look at what may be happening if you feel your feet burning. 

Causes of Burning Feet

In some cases, burning feet result from merely sitting on your legs too long while watching TV. This pins and needles sensation will generally go away within minutes.

However, numbness or stinging of the feet can signal a more serious health problem. If you are suffering from burning feet, it’s essential to diagnose the cause as soon as possible. 

“While fatigue or a skin infection can cause temporary burning or inflamed feet, burning feet are most often a sign of nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy),” says Mayo Clinic. “Nerve damage has many different causes, including diabetes, chronic alcohol use, exposure to certain toxins, certain B vitamin deficiencies or HIV infection.”

Medical conditions linked to burning feet include: 

• Skin Infection – Inflammation due to fungal infections such as Athlete’s Foot or other skin conditions can cause burning of the feet. 
• Neuropathy – Nerve damage is one of the leading causes of burning feet and is often linked with diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. 
• Grierson-Gopalan Syndrome – Also known as Burning Feet Syndrome, this disease carries “a set of symptoms in which the feet often become uncomfortably hot and painful,” says Cleveland Clinic. “The heat and pain can be limited to the soles of the feet, but also might affect the tops of the feet, the ankles, and even the lower legs.” 
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency – Lack of Vitamin B12 intake can lead to painful, burning sensations in the feet. 
• Side Effects of Clinical Drugs – Some medications and treatments, including chemotherapy, can cause burning of the feet. 
• Hormone Inbalances – Changes in hormones can affect the feet and inflict a burning sensation, including hormone imbalances due to thyroid problems. 
• Alcoholism – Patients who chronically abuse alcohol may experience burning feet. 
• Circulatory Problems – If you have poor circulation due to a heart problem or other factors, you may suffer numbness in your feet.

Please note the above list does not cover every cause of burning feet. 

How to Prevent & Treat Burning Feet

Since burning feet is a symptom of several severe health problems, it is vital to consult with your podiatrist if you experience abnormal burning sensations in your feet. 

Depending on your symptoms, your foot doctor will work with your team of practitioners to diagnose and treat any underlying conditions causing your discomfort.

Here’s what you can do to help prevent suffering from burning feet: 

• Consume a nutritious diet. – A healthy and vitamin-rich diet can increase overall well-being and reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy. 
• Take care of your feet. – Maintaining a routine of foot hygiene and making regular visits to your podiatrist can help limit threats to the health of your feet.  
• Avoid alcohol abuse. – Limiting alcohol consumption promotes good overall health, including healthy feet. 
• Treat underlying medical conditions. – Seeking professional healthcare treatment for existing health problems can help reduce symptoms such as burning feet. If your medications are causing unwanted side effects, discuss it with your doctor to determine whether another type of treatment may be beneficial for you. 

The first step to treating burning feet is visiting your podiatrist. 

Best San Joaquin Valley Podiatrist

The Canyon Oaks Foot & Ankle team specializes in caring for chronic foot pain. With conveniently located offices in Fresno, Visalia, and Porterville, our medical staff is here to help you get back on your feet. 

If you are coping with burning feet, please contact us to make an appointment.