A burning sensation in the legs can occur under a variety of conditions. And it is important to determine the reason so that they can receive treatment. Some of them, such as a foot fungus and tight boots, are eliminated very easily. But if the symptom returns, then you need to see a doctor. A specialist can diagnose and prescribe treatment. The article details why the soles of the feet burn.
Briefly about the problem
It’s impossible to deal with this problem in absentia. A burning sensation in the legs can be caused by damage to the nerves, this is called neuropathy. Among the possible causes may be diabetes, which is the most common factor. Most treatments are aimed at preventing further damage to the nerves and reducing pain. But self-administration of drugs is unacceptable. To understand why the soles of the feet are burning, only a doctor should. In order for the reader to have a general idea of the problem, we will consider the main reasons.
Diabetic neuropathy
The diagnosis is often made after 60 years. Years of uncontrolled high blood sugar, can gradually damage blood vessels and nerves. High sugar levels reduce signaling from nerves. This can affect the sensation of various parts of the body, including the legs. High blood sugar also weakens the walls of blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. If a person turns to a doctor with a question about why the soles of the legs are burning, then most likely the specialist will first check this version.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes, up to 70% of people with diabetes experience pain from some form of nerve damage or neuropathy. This risk increases if you:
- Obese.
- Have high blood pressure.
- Smoke or drink alcohol.
Damage to nerves in the legs and feet is known as peripheral neuropathy. Additional symptoms are:
- Numbness and tingling in the legs.
- The feeling that you wear tight shoes.
- Sharp, stitching pains.
- Weakness and feeling of heaviness in the legs.
- Excessive sweating.
It is important to see a doctor if you notice any signs of neuropathy. Monitoring blood sugar can prevent nerve damage or slow down the process.
Sensory neuropathy
We continue to consider the reasons why the soles of the feet are burning. For brevity, we will call this disease SFSN. This is a painful neuropathy, which often leads to severe burning in the legs. Other symptoms include loss of sensation and short flashes of pain. This is because the myelin sheath, which covers and protects nerve fibers, is destroyed. Although the cause cannot be precisely determined, very often this disorder accompanies diabetes.
Alcohol abuse
We are not talking about chronic alcoholism right now. But if hard liquor is consumed more than 2 times a week, it can lead to nerve damage, which is called alcoholic neuropathy. In addition to burning feet, symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness, muscle cramps and loss of muscle function.
- Violation of urination and intestinal activity.
- Dizziness.
- Speech impairment.
Stopping alcohol can help prevent worsening symptoms. However, severe nerve damage may be irreversible. This is most pronounced in women. Why the soles of the feet are burning, you need to deal with the doctor, but you always need to control how many glasses of wine you drink per day.
Charcot's disease (SMT)
In most cases, this is a hereditary nerve disease. It mostly affects the endings that control the muscles. This is a progressive disease, that is, symptoms worsen over time. One of its first symptoms is a burning sensation, or sensation of pins and needles in the legs. Other symptoms include clumsiness and muscle atrophy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately 1 person per 2,000 people on Earth has an SMT.
Lack of nutrition
This may be another reason why the soles of the feet of women burn. An unpleasant sensation can be caused by malnutrition. It was more common in the past, but is still observed in areas that are in distress.
During World War II, prisoners of war experienced leg burning syndrome caused by malnutrition. Today, most often this is associated with tight, long-term diets. Nerve damage can be associated with a lack of vitamin B12, B6, B9. It can also contribute to muscle coordination problems. Other symptoms of anemia include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
To find out why a person's soles of the feet are burning, the doctor needs to collect an anamnesis. Try to immediately remember all your injuries, operations. CBRS occurs in the limbs most often after such interventions. The reasons are mechanical damage to the nerve, which affects the transmission of signals from the brain and spine. Symptoms include burning pain, swelling, discoloration of the skin. This type of pathology may depend on genetics, in which case the disease affects the immune system.
Hypothyroidism
The endocrine glands have a great effect on the functioning of our entire body. The largest thyroid gland is involved in almost all biochemical processes. Lack of iodine and other reasons lead to the fact that it begins to produce less or more hormones. This changes their balance in the body, which can cause edema, which puts pressure on our nerve endings. In addition to burning, the symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin.
Pedia tenia
The disease is also called the "athlete’s foot." But in fact, it is found not only in the world of big sport. This is a fairly common reason why the soles of the feet burn. The disease is a contagious fungal infection, which can also affect the condition of the nails. The most common symptoms are a burning sensation, tingling, or itching between the toes and feet. You may be disturbed by:
- Itchy blisters on the legs.
- Cracks and peeling of the legs.
- Dry skin on the sides and soles of the feet.
- Raw skin on the legs.
- Toenails that separate from the nail bed or look discolored, thick.
Peripheral artery disease
This pathology offers a narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the feet. Symptoms may be similar to those of peripheral neuropathy, including burning feet and feet. Most often caused also by walking or exercise. If you start this disease, then it can lead to complete disability. Therefore, it is important not to self-medicate, but to contact a specialist.
Tunnel syndrome
This pathology leads to the fact that the nerves going from the ankle to the foot are squeezed due to edema or trauma. This leads to a stronger burning sensation in the leg. In this case, unpleasant sensations extend not only to the foot, but also up the leg. It is important to diagnose and begin treatment as early as possible. Otherwise, nerve damage may become irreversible. Then the person will be forced to constantly take painkillers to alleviate his condition.
Diagnostics
The reasons may be different, so be sure to consult a doctor. The specialist must conduct a medical examination. First, the following parameters are checked:
- Structural problems in the legs.
- Fungal infections.
- Reddened or pale skin.
- Reflexes.
- The presence or absence of sensations.
To figure out why the sole of the feet is burning and what to do, the doctor will ask you about your medical history, including any medications you are taking. Try to remember when your symptoms appeared and how long they last. Your doctor will check for diabetes and also want to find out if you are suffering from excessive alcohol consumption.
In conclusion, the specialist will order blood tests for thyroid hormones, kidney function, vitamin deficiency, HIV and other infections. Get ready to showcase your shoes and how you walk. You may have poorly fitting boots.
Treatment options
Most often, doctors have to figure out why the soles of the feet are burning in the elderly. By age, nerve endings can be damaged for a variety of reasons. Therefore, treatment will depend on the diagnosis. In some cases, it can be very simple. The patient will need only antifungal agents, comfortable shoes, a corrective insert in the shoes, tablet vitamin B2 or thyroid hormone. But any of these prescriptions only works when the doctor knows what treatment is needed for.
Why the sole of the feet is lit in diabetes, we have already discussed above. In this case, among other things, you will need to change the diet and take medicine. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help with nerve pain.
Help with severe pain
Sometimes a person cannot fall asleep because his legs seem to be in a bag of needles. Intense nerve pain can be relieved by special stimulation, for example:
- Electrical stimulation.
- Magnetic therapy.
- Laser Therapy
- Light therapy.
Research is ongoing on other pain treatments. Alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, may also help some patients.
Home remedies
To understand why the soles of the feet are burning and how to treat, you need to undergo an examination. But there are methods that can help temporarily alleviate the condition. They relate to traditional medicine:
- Put your feet in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes. This method is not recommended for some forms of pathology, as it can damage the skin.
- Hold your feet in a bowl of apple cider vinegar solution (3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water). If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before trying this remedy.
- Supplement with turmeric. Curcumin in this spice will help relieve nervous pain. It is known that it has a protective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial effect. It is also believed that it helps relieve neurological symptoms.
- Use creams that contain lidocaine. The lidocaine patch is also very effective in relieving pain.
- Massage your foot to improve blood circulation and blood supply.
Further perspectives
There are diseases that can be completely forgotten after treatment. Others, on the contrary, require constant attention, additional examination, timely treatment. They are called chronic. Understanding why the soles of the feet burn at night, people want to know if the symptom will go away forever. The pain may be mild and appear occasionally. But it is chronic and very strong. Therefore, it is important to identify and treat the cause. If it is nerve damage, in some cases the treatment may be permanent, which is necessary to prevent further damage.
Instead of a conclusion
In a brief review, we did not manage to touch on all the reasons why the soles of the feet burn at night. Yes, with each of these diseases, the patient suffers the worst when he goes to bed. Most people are not inclined to go to the hospital with such complaints. They do not seem serious to them. Well, think, feet are burning. In this case, try to buy the most comfortable shoes for the next season, preferably in a special salon. If the work involves long walks, try to overcome part of the route by car or bus. If symptoms do not appear less often, then you need to go to the hospital. Damage to nerve endings is very serious.