Burning Feet Symptom

A burning sensation in your feet can be caused by a large spectrum of conditions, some very mild and some more serious. Finding the cause of the burning sensation is the key to proper treatment, so those who continue to experience this symptom should see a medical professional.

Mechanical Overload

• Mechanical overload is the term used by medical professionals to describe feet that have simply had a long day. This condition is especially common in those who are on their feet most of the day, are overweight or have hot and sweaty feet due to a hard workout.

Nerve Damage

• Burning feet are sometimes a sign of nerve damage. Nerve damage leading to a burning foot sensation could stem from a number of reasons including diabetes, alcoholism, vitamin B deficiency and heavy metal poisoning.

Blood Disorders and Circulatory Conditions

• The blood disorders thrombocytopenia, pernicious anemia and the rare circulatory disorder erythromelalgia can also cause a burning foot.

Localized Burning Foot

• When the burning sensation is localized to certain portions of the foot or just one foot, the sensation could be due to a fungal infection such as athlete's foot.
  Metatarsalgia and Morton's neuroma are also conditions that cause a localized burning feeling in the foot, usually toward the front of the foot.

Symptom Relief

• There are many ways to find relief from the burning foot symptom. Try soaking the feet in cool water or massage cooling creams and ointments over the affected area. Wearing cotton, not synthetic, socks and cushioning or shock absorption insoles can also provide some relief.