Burning in the feet is a painful sensation that usually occurs due to injury to the nerves of the legs and feet, usually due to situations such as diabetic neuropathy, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies, infections or injuries that affect the spine or the pathways of the nerves, for example .
However, many people may experience a burning sensation or heat in their feet for a variety of other reasons, including changes in blood circulation, excessive use of the feet, especially with inadequate footwear, hormonal changes, skin lesions or injuries to the ligaments and muscles of the region, as in plantar fasciitis, for example. Understand how plantar fasciitis can cause pain in the soles of the feet.
Due to these various causes, when the burning sensation in the feet arises, it is necessary to consult with the general practitioner or family doctor so that the first evaluations are made and thus the changes are identified. To relieve this sensation, it is necessary to make the treatment indicated by the doctor according to its cause, which may include the control of blood glucose in diabetes, wearing comfortable or adapted shoes and perform exercises indicated by the physiotherapist.
What can it be
The main causes of foot burning are:
- Peripheral neuropathy : Damage to the nerve fibers of the legs and feet, which usually occurs in people with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetic foot, or due to chronic alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies such as lack of vitamin B12, certain neurological diseases, tumors or intoxication by some drugs and heavy metals, for example.
- Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia, a fibrous tissue located in the sole of the foot that extends from the heel to the toes and causes symptoms such as pain in the sole of the foot, burning sensation and discomfort when walking and running;
- Circulatory changes : venous or arterial insufficiency, known as poor circulation, cause blood to not circulate properly in the lower limbs, which causes varicose veins, swelling in the legs and burning sensation, pain or weight, depending on the location and affected blood vessel;
- Foot changes : Feet can be overloaded in situations such as intense exercise, inappropriate footwear or changes in bones and muscles, such as flat feet or changes in footing, for example, which can cause pain and burning, especially after day;
- Infections : certain infections by bacteria or viruses can cause inflammation in the peripheral nerves of the body, which causes pain, tingling and burning in the affected region. Some examples of this type of change include infections with herpes, herpes zoster, mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus, HIV or Guillain-Barré syndrome, for example;
In addition, other changes in the body can also contribute to the onset of foot burning, such as skin lesions caused by dermatitis, allergies or fungal infections, or even situations such as hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and other endocrine problems that cause increase in body temperature, for example.
How to treat
To relieve the burning of the feet it is necessary to perform the treatment according to your cause, as indicated by the doctor. Some options include glycemic control, avoiding uncontrolled use of insulin and other antidiabetic medications in the case of diabetes mellitus.
In some cases of peripheral neuropathy, the use of medicines such as Amitriptyline, Gabapentin or Carbamazepine may also be indicated, for example, follow-up with the neurologist is necessary for dose orientation, exercise, physiotherapy, weight loss and adoption of life, which aid in nerve regeneration and improvement of symptoms.
Resting feet, keeping legs high or wearing elastic stockings can be good alternatives for people who suffer from poor circulation in the veins. When the arteries are affected, the use of drugs such as ASA is indicated. Follow-up with the angiologist is necessary because in some cases surgery may be necessary. Also check out how to supplement home remedy to improve circulation.
In cases of changes in the feet or in the way of treading can be indicated the correction of the type of footwear or use of insoles, which can help reduce the overload to the muscles and bones of the region. Physiotherapy is also recommended, mainly as a way to relieve deformities and correct posture. Check out more guidelines and home-made techniques on how to treat pain in the soles of your feet.
