Burning Feet: Causes  

It's true that the feet are one of the most neglected parts of our body. We barely take care of them, and even if we do, it's only when they start becoming painful that we start paying more attention to them. 

Here are some causes of burning feet:

1. Excessive standing: One of the most common reasons that lead to burning feet is excessive standing combined with wearing ill-fitted or poor quality shoes for long hours in a day.

2. Alcohol consumption: Alcohol can cause burning sensations in the feet because it dilates the blood vessels, which causes hot and painful sensations in the feet.

3. Burning feet caused by higher altitude: If you are going on mountain trekking or hiking and staying in high altitudes for a longer duration, you may feel like your feet are burning. This is due to the fact that less oxygen is available at higher altitudes and therefore the body feels hot and uncomfortable.

4. Tight shoes: The burning of the feet is normally felt when you are exercising. This can be caused by wearing tight shoes while running or exercising. Shoes that do not give your feet enough room to move around freely can also cause burning of the feet while exercising. 

5. Nerve damage & vitamin deficiency: Any type of nerve damage or inflammation can cause a burning sensation on your feet as well. Having a low level of potassium, vitamin B and mineral deficiencies may also cause a burning sensation in your feet.

6. Poor blood flow: Burning feet can also be caused due to poor blood flow in your feet. Poor blood flow can be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Other potential causes include an infection or a reaction to certain medications.

8 Home Remedies for Burning Feet

When the summer heats up, there are many ways to cool down. But, have you ever had burning feet? If so, then you know that they can be quite uncomfortable. There are a number of reasons you might be experiencing this discomfort.

Burning sensation in the feet may be caused due to underlying health conditions like diabetes, atherosclerosis and peripheral vascular disease. 

Burning sensation in the feet may also be an indication of skin allergy or infection. 

Here are some home remedies that may help to relieve the burning sensations in the feet.

1. Cold Compress: Take a piece of clean cloth and soak it in cold water. Apply this cloth on the feet and this will soothe the burning sensation and provide relief.

2. Martial arts: Practicing martial arts will help you eliminate tension and pain in the body and relieve stress. A full-body workout will also help regulate your metabolism, balance your hormones and give you more energy. Martial arts include aikido, taekwon do, judo and kung fu.

3. Roller massage: A gently rolling massage with a foam roller can relieve muscle spasms and stimulate your circulation. You should work your way up to a full-body roll, starting with your calves and thighs, then rolling upward to your back, shoulders and neck. 

4. Keep your feet dry: Use corn pads and wear shoes that give you the right amount of support and comfort. Avoid using synthetic socks and stockings as they make your feet sweat. Change these frequently.

5. Herbs: There are some herbs that may help in treating burning feet. Lemon balm, willow bark, plantain and garlic are some of them. You should however consult with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal remedy since they can interfere with some medications and supplements.

6. Epsom salt: People often use Epsom salt to treat burning feet as it is a natural compound that contains magnesium sulfate. It has a number of uses including reducing inflammation, exfoliating the skin, reducing odour and decreasing the symptoms of athlete’s foot. You can place Epsom salt into warm water before soaking your feet in the mixture for 20 minutes.

7. Apple cider vinegar: This holy ingredient can combat bacteria, fungi and other harmful microbes. Soaking the feet in a foot bath consisting of warm water and apple cider vinegar may be an effective way of treating an athlete’s foot.

8. Turmeric supplements: Turmeric contains curcumin which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A person can take turmeric in supplement form or they can take one tablespoon of turmeric powder with ¼ tablespoon ground pepper up to three times per day. 

Medical Treatment for Burning Feet

The use of antiperspirant can help control your burning feet syndrome temporarily until you find suitable footwear. If relieving burning feet is a result of an underlying condition such as diabetes, then you need to seek immediate medical help.

Pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc. are effective in treating burning sensations in the feet. 

One can apply creams on the feet to relieve the pain. Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that is used to numb the skin before carrying out certain procedures such as taking blood. Some medical professionals also believe that topical creams containing capsaicin and lidocaine patches are effective treatments for burning feet. These are available in both patch and gel form.

There are many causes of burning feet, but most of them are the result of the body's normal response to pain. When irritated, the cells in our skin release inflammatory mediators, which cause capillaries to dilate and increase blood flow. In addition, these mediators send pain signals to our brains.

Burning feet is not a disease itself but a symptom of some underlying problem. With many issues to consider, it is important for people to understand the potential causes of burning feet. Factors such as changes in overall health and age can play roles in burning feet. Understanding what causes burning feet will help people make the most informed decisions when seeking treatment.

In summers, one of the most common health conditions which people suffer is burning feet. It’s quite a common health condition and can be irritating for the majority of people. Although some people feel it only when they wear new shoes, if the burning feeling is accompanied by tingling, numbness and stiffness of your feet then it indicates some other deficiency or medical complication like the poor circulation of blood in your body.

Take Away

Burning feet is a sensation that is experienced when the soles of the feet feel warm, hot and very uncomfortable. Normally, feet should not be warm or hot because it is common to feel cold temperature when exposed to the air. Burning feet is usually experienced by individuals who have poor blood circulation within their bodies. This can be caused by factors such as aging, physical inactivity, poor diet or a family history of this condition. It is important that you seek professional help immediately if you cannot figure out the cause of burning feet.