 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Burning foot |
||
Information for health professionals on |
||
What is the burning foot: |
||
Burning feet are a common complaint and can be caused by a number of conditions - some are local and minor, and some are more serious. Burning feet can keep people awake at night and be a source of continuous pain. It is more common in those over the age of 50 years, but a burning foot can occur in younger age groups. Burning feet are more common in those with diabetes as part of the neuropathy (nerve damage) that can develop. A burning foot may be mild and local and easily treatable or it may indicate a more serious general medical problem that needs further investigation. "Its like walking on hot coal !!!" |
 |
|
What causes a sensation of burning feet: |
||
The more common causes of burning feet are: * many feet just ache and burn at the end of a long day, especially in those who are on their feet all day or are overweight (mechanical overload) * hot and sweaty feet can cause a burning foot sensation (and may be related to the mechanical overload problem) * the neuropathy that occurs in diabetes can cause a burning feet * other types of neuropathy (nerve damage) that can cause a burning foot include those that occur in chronic alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies (usually B) and heavy metal poisoning * blood disorders (eg thrombocytopenia, pernicious anemia) can cause burning feet * Erythromelalgia is a rare circulatory disorder can can cause burning feet * Reflex sympathetic dystrophy or complex regional pain syndrome can follow trauma (including surgery) and cause a burning foot sensation * nerve entrapments, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is the compression of a nerve at the inside of the ankle joint can cause a burning sensation * a localized burning sensation may be due to other specific problems. If its in the forefoot only, it could be metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma or some other cause. Athletes foot or a fungal infection can also cause a burning sensation in the area of the infection. * it could also be due to a sensitivity to chemical substances in socks and shoes (contact dermatitis) |
||
|
||
Self treatment of the burning foot sensation: |
||
The most important part of managing burning feet yourself is to get it checked to make sure it is not caused by one of the rare serious problems. Once the cause is established, there are a number of things that you can do to help your burning feet, but this can depend on the cause: * if its mechanical, good fitting shoes with support is a good place to start to help. * if hot and sweaty, there are various self treatments for the sweaty foot * some creams or ointments with cooling properties can help relieve the symptoms * some relief in some people has been shown to occur with the use of magnets * wear socks made of cotton rather than synthetic fabrics * bath feet in cool water * avoid prolonged period of standing * cushioning or shock absorbing insoles may make standing more tolerable There is a lot of advice on the internet to take vitamin B12 to help burning feet. However, a burning foot occuring with the neuropathy that is associated with a deficiency of vitamin B12 is very uncommon and should be managed by a medical doctor. The taking of B12 for burning feet is not likely to help unless a deficiency is the cause and its is one of the more uncommon causes of the burning foot. This book will be of use to all those with chronic burning feet and is highly recommended: Numb
Toes and Aching Soles: Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy |
||
Treatment of the burning foot sensation: |
||
Treatment of burning feet needs the cause to be established, so consultation with a Podiatrist, rheumatologist (arthritis doctor) or a neurologist (nerve doctor) is important. A full range of tests may need to be ordered to determine the cause if it is not simply a mechanical overload that is the problem. Treatment of a mechanical overload problem with foot supports or orthotics are usually very successful in helping the mechanical overload (they will not help if mechanical overload is not the cause of the burning feet). Other local causes such as a fungal infection, nerve entrapment and sweaty feet can be also be treated. Treatment of underlying conditions may bring relief (but this will depend on the cause). Pain relief medication may be needed for the treatment of any of the chronic causes of burning feet. If the problem is chronic, stratgies to help manage the symptoms will need to be discussed. This book helps: Numb Toes and Aching Soles: Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy |
||
Links of relevance to burning feet: |
||
Buy products to help a burning foot here: |
||
| USA & Canada: | UK & Europe: | Australia & NZ: |
|
|
Coming | |
Return to foot
problem or foot pain page |
||
ePodiatry
is purely a source of information on burning feet and should at
no time be considered as replacing the expertise of a health professional.
We recommend seeking professional advice for burning feet and all
foot problems before embarking on any form of self treatment or
management. Neither the content or any other service provided through
ePodiatry is intended to be relied on for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Do not delay in seeking health professional advice for burning feet
or any other foot problem because of something seen on ePodiatry.
|
||
©2003.
The information contained on this page about a burning foot sensation
is subject to copyright. No part of the information the burning
foot syndrome contained on this page can be reproduced in any form
without the permission of ePodiatry. |
||
Burning feet |
||