What Are the Treatments for a Burning Sensation?

A burning sensation can be a symptom of heartburn or acid reflux, a sign of a sexually transmitted disease during urination or a symptom of a pinched sciatic nerve. Treatment for the burning sensation can be as easy as buying over-the-counter antacids or a visit to your physician who will prescribe medication. Be mindful of when your burning sensation occurs, as it could be triggered by something in your diet. If you experience this discomfort for longer than three days, it is very important to contact your physician.

Heartburn/Acid Reflux

• If you experience a burning sensation shortly after eating, it is most likely something in your diet that is causing heartburn to occur. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid is flowing back into your esophagus and causing heartburn along with belching and chest pain. Certain foods such as spicy foods, chocolate and fatty foods can cause your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax, which allows acid and food to flow back to the esophagus, according to the Mayo Clinic. The LES is normally tight, which prevents acid reflux from happening. Your stomach can break down meals easier if you reduce them in size, according to Carol Ann Rinzler and Kevin DeVault, authors of "Heartburn and Reflux for Dummies." This also means increasing the amount of meals you consume daily from three large meals to five small ones.

Urination

• A painful burning sensation can occur during urination if you have a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea or a urinary tract infection. Other symptoms that accompany gonorrhea include a yellow or green discharge and pain in the testicles. Other symptoms of a urinary tract infection include a frequent need to urinate, blood in the urine and nausea. An STD and a UTI both require antibiotics to clear up the infection. Gonorrhea can be treated by a single tablet or an injection in the buttock. According to the Mayo Clinic, urinary tract infections are cleared up with the following antibiotics: amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin or nitrofurantoin. Symptoms of a UTI subside within a few days after beginning your antibiotic regimen, and your medication should be taken until you finish the prescription. This guarantees the medicine kills all of the bacteria in your urinary tract.

Sciatica

• Sciatica is an immense pain that runs from your lower back, down the buttocks and on the back of your thigh and calf. Other symptoms of sciatica include a tingling sensation, numbness and muscle weakness. Sciatica is caused by pressure on your sciatic nerve, spinal tumors or lumbar spinal stenosis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Physical therapy and prescription drugs can alleviate pain, and in severe cases steroid injections and surgery are also available. Prescription drugs to treat sciatica include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsant drugs, according to the Mayo Clinic.