If you’re experiencing a burning pain in the feet, there are several causes which can contribute to this uncomfortable feeling. Here are some common causes of burning sensation in feet in Indians and what they actually mean:
1. Diabetic Neuropathy:
Diabetic Neuropathy is a nerve damage condition which occurs if you have diabetes. In most cases, it causes damage to the nerves in your legs and feet, which manifests as a sharp burning pain in the foot. A high blood sugar interferes with the transmission of signals from nerves, causing problems in your feet and other nerve endings. You may also experience pre-diabetic neuropathy which occurs before you are diagnosed with new-onset diabetes.
Neuropathy or nerve damage is limited not just to your feet but other parts of the body too. It can spread quite rapidly and should be checked regularly. If you’re having burning feet, it’s a good idea to see a general physician to check for more severe forms of neuropathy.
Indians are at a higher risk of diabetic neuropathy if they are obese, smoke cigarettes and alcohol, have high blood pressure.
Nerve damage of the feet specifically is called Peripheral neuropathy. Common symptoms include
- Tingling in the feet
- Feeling of tightness in the feet
- Sharp jolts of pain
- Weakness in the legs
- Excess sweating
Burning sensation in the feet should not be ignored because it may indicate diabetes. If left undetected, diabetes can have serious health consequences.
You may also be referred to a neurologist for neuropathic pain.
2. Alcohol Abuse:
Drinking too much is never a good idea and alcoholic neuropathy or nerve damage induced by alcohol is just one more unpleasant consequence.
Nerve damage through alcohol abuse in many cases is irreversible, however, cutting down on drinking will certainly prevent it from getting much worse.
Here are some common symptoms:
- Burning sensation in feet and arms
- Bowel and urinary issues
- Headaches and dizziness
- Speech problems
3. Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy:
Although the exact cause of Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy is not known, it happens due to the loss of myelin sheath, an insulator and protective layer that covers nerves and protects them from damage. The most common symptom in Indians is a painful burning sensation in the feet and in some cases even loss of sensation and numbness.
4. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease:
CMT is a common nerve disease which is hereditary in nature. It’s quite common and is chronic, meaning it gets worse with time. If you have CMT, you will often experience sharp pain in your feet. It feels like being stung by needles. Muscle atrophy and clumsiness are other symptoms.
5. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
CRPS is nerve damage that mostly occurs after a surgery or an injury. It may also be genetic. It is characterised by burning pain in the foot, swelling and changes in skin colour.
6. Erythromelalgia:
Erythromelalgia, also known as Mitchell’s disease is a rare vascular disorder which occurs in the blood vessels of the limbs, resulting in extremely painful, red, hot burning feet. The onset is periodic and occurs commonly due to exercise, walking for long hours, standing a lot and even exposure to heat.
7. Nutrition deficiency:
An Indian diet devoid of a balanced mix of nutrients can cause nerve damage resulting in burning sensation of the feet.
8. Kidney disease:
Diabetes and kidney diseases are closely related. When your kidney stops functioning properly either due to diabetes or any other reason, it can lead to nerve damage and burning feet. It also causes itching and swelling of the feet. Take a kidney function test on MFine to know more.
9. Hypothyroidism:
An underactive thyroid causes hormonal imbalance in your body. This can cause changes in your nervous system, leading to problems such as burning sensation in the feet. Weight gain, dry skin and fatigue are additional symptoms.
10. Infectious diseases and Athlete’s Foot:
Some common infectious diseases indicated by burning sensation in the foot include:
- Lyme’s disease
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Shingles
- HIV/AIDS
Athlete’s Foot is another infectious disease which causes itching, tingling and burning sensation in the feet, especially in between the toes. It should be looked at immediately.
These are some of the most common causes of burning sensation in feet in Indians. There are other less common causes as well, but either way, if you do experience burning feet, you must meet a general physician to get examined. You can easily do this by consulting with a general physician on MFine right from the comfort of your home!
Do these conditions seem familiar to you? Consult a general doctor on MFine to evaluate your risk factors for burning pain in feet
