A burning sensation, depending on where it is located, can be a symptom of multiple conditions triggered by irritation, infection, or injury. Some insect bites produce a burning sensation. Overexposure to sun or tanning lamps can burn the skin, causing discomfort that is aggravated by touch or clothing.
Digestive Problems
The symptoms of peptic ulcer include chronic burning or gnawing stomach pain that usually begins up to an hour after eating or at night. Eating, taking antacids, vomiting, or drinking water may relieve pain, which can be mild or severe. A peptic ulcer is an area where the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or adjacent tissues has been eroded. Burning sensations caused by peptic ulcer are usually localized in the upper middle part of the abdomen.
Stomach acid can back up into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation in the throat, also known as heartburn. Overeating, being overweight, and lying down right after meals can put pressure on a muscular valve at the base of the esophagus, causing it to open. Cedars-Sinai reports that frequent heartburn may lead to erosion of the lining of the esophagus.
Urinary Tract Infections
A bacterial infection of the urethra or bladder can cause a painful burning sensation on urination. Urinary tract infections are characterized by an urgent and frequent need to empty the bladder. E.coli bacteria are a common cause of these infections in women, who are more likely than men to be infected. Urinary tract infections in men may be linked to problems with the prostate gland. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia also may cause a burning sensation on urination in men.
Foot Problems
If burning is accompanied by itching on the feet, a fungal infection could be causing the problem. Also known as athlete's foot, this condition affects areas between the toes and on the soles of the feet. Redness, blisters, cracking, and peeling skin may occur. Athlete's foot is contagious and can be spread on moist warm surfaces, such as shower floors.
Because fungal infections thrive on glucose in sweat, people who have diabetes may catch athletes foot more easily than non-diabetics and have a harder time getting rid of it. Diabetics also may have other conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy, in which high blood sugar damages peripheral nerve fibers. Symptoms may develop gradually and may include numbness, tingling, a burning sensation in the feet and toes, or pain when walking. Antidepressant medications help by increasing neurochemicals that improve the transmission of messages between nerve cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Eye Problems
Many chemicals, like sunscreen or capsaicin, found in some analgesic creams, can produce a burning sensation on contact with the eyes. Although seasonal allergies, dryness, and fatigue also may cause burning and irritation, symptoms of pain, discharge, or light sensitivity should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Back Problems
Burning between the shoulders or in the low back may be symptoms of fatigue or muscle strain. The spinal vertebrae are separated by disks that may become swollen or displaced, putting pressure on spinal nerves and causing burning sensations elsewhere in the body. Injuries that damage spinal nerves are among the most serious reasons for pain that may manifest as a burning sensation, possibly involving the limbs and extremities. According to the Spinal Cord Injury Information Network, low level injuries tend to produce more pain than higher levels of injuries.
