Burning Feet From Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the individual does not produce enough insulin to get glucose into their cells, and too much sugar enters the blood. Burning feet are a common symptom of diabetes.

Types

• Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which an individual's immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing "beta cells" located in the pancreas. In Type 2 diabetes, the individual's muscles use insulin produced by the pancreas inefficiently, and as a result the pancreas eventually is unable meet the body's insulin demands.

Identification

• Burning feet from diabetes is often a painful condition that is exacerbated by standing up or walking. Sometimes complications from diabetes will show up as a loss of sensation in the foot or toes.

Causes

• Diabetes creates an influx of glucose in the individual's blood, which can harm nerves after extended periods of time. This nerve damage will often manifest as burning or numbness in your feet.

Prevention/Solution

• In order to keep complications from your diabetes to a minimum, check your blood sugar regularly and track your intake of sugar. Wear therapeutic shoes and socks, and try foot cream specially formulated for diabetics' feet.

Considerations

• If you have burning or tingling in your feet, and have not been diagnosed with diabetes, seek immediate help from a medical professional. Severe burning or tingling may be symptom of another medical issue (or a signal of worsening diabetes in diabetic patients).