Burning Feet

Burning feet is a kind of nerve damage to your leg. It can happen temporarily burning, swelling due to fatigue, or infection, or some other medical conditions like diabetes, certain B vitamin deficiencies, or HIV infection. It can also occur when you have chronic alcohol use, exposure to certain toxins. The good thing is the treatment available to protect this condition. Most treatments are based on preventing future nerve damage and minimizing pain.

Burning sensation of feet is a common disorder and occurs feet and lower leg-burning feet syndrome (BFS). This condition is very painful and extremely uncomfortable. Symptoms may be mild to severe, depending upon the cause.

It is also common for older adults and may cause pain to become more intense at night. BFS does not just affect the soles of the feet, but can also affect the tops of the feet, the ankles, and the lower legs. Diabetes is a common cause of burning feet. Although it is also a sign of several other medical conditions.

Causes
Peripheral neuropathy, commonly known as nerve damage, is a common cause of BFS. However, nerve damage itself often results from another medical condition.

Medical conditions that can cause nerve damage and BFS such as:

• Diabetes
• Small fiber sensory neuropathy
• Chronic alcohol consumption
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Other Causes of Burning Feet syndrome

Other causes of BFS unrelated to nerve damage include:

• Erythromelalgia
• Malnutrition
• Underactive thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism)
• Athlete’s foot
• Kidney problem
• HIV/AIDS
• Chemotherapy

Home Remedies for burning feet

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the problem. A doctor can treat burning feet include:

• Antifungal prescription
• Shoe inserts or change of shoe
• Vitamin supplements
• Thyroid supplements
• Electrical nerve stimulation
• Magnetic therapy
• Laser or light therapy

Many home remedies that one can try to get relief:

Soaking feet in cold water or an ice bath
Putting feet in cold water or ice can help to reduce burning sensation and other symptoms. But, if a person is suffering from erythromelalgia, they should avoid this, as this may damage their skin.

Rest, Ice Compression, and elevation  
You can take help to reduce the symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome by using RICE. This involves testing the foot, applying ice to the ankle, using compression, and elevating the foot.

RICE works on reducing swelling and inflammation, which minimizes the symptoms of BFS.

Epsom salt
Epsom salt is used to treat several problems, including pain and the symptoms of an athlete’s foot.

Epsom salt is a natural substance that contains magnesium sulfate. It has several uses such as:

• Reduce the symptoms of athlete’s foot
• Decreasing inflammation
• Exfoliating the skin
• Minimizing odor
• Relieving constipation

You can use it with warm water before using this for your feet. Put your feet in this mixture for 20 to 30 minutes.

Epsom salt foot baths can cure the symptoms of burning feet. However, a person with diabetes should ask their doctor before applying for an Epsom salt bath. This is because Epsom salt can increase the risk of foot damage in people with diabetes.

Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can fight against bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microbes.

Putting the feet in a foot bath consisting of warm water and apple cider vinegar can be an effective way of treating an athlete’s foot. Although there is no scientific evidence from the rested source to prove how effective this treatment can be.

Turmeric supplements
Turmeric contains curcumin that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Curcumin is an effective treatment for several neurological disorders. A person can use turmeric supplements to treat BFS linked to damaged nerves and other nerve pain. One can take turmeric in supplement form, or he/she can take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper up to three times per day.

References;
1. Medical News Today