A burning sensation in the feet is a common complaint. The symptoms of burning feet may just be a passing irritation or a severe disability that takes away from living life normally. In some cases, this phenomenon occurs simply because the feet are tired. However, burning feet may also indicate something more insidious, such as infection or nerve damage that requires medical attention.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord, according to the National Institute of Health. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves responsible for relaying information from the central nervous system to the muscles and organs stops functioning properly. This often results in pain, loss of sensation, inability to control muscles and a burning sensation in the extremities such as the hands and feet. Treating peripheral neuropathy involves identifying the underlying cause, such as diabetes or kidney failure and treating the cause. Physicians also recommend taking additional safety measures to prevent injury, pain medications for comfort and physical or occupational therapy to maintain independence.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma, caused by a thickening of the nerve tissues between the toes, most commonly affects the nerve traveling between the third and fourth toes. The cause of the condition is unknown but may result from an abnormal toe position, flat feet, high foot arches or tight shoes, according to the National Institute of Health. Signs of Morton's neuroma include sharp, shooting or burning pains on the bottoms of the feet, tingling in the space between the third and fourth toes and toe cramping. Treatment for Morton's neuroma can include padding or taping the toes, shoe inserts, anti-inflammatory medications, nerve blocking medications and physical therapy. Physicians may choose surgery if other treatments don't work. Numbness after surgery is permanent but not painful.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease affects the circulatory system of the limbs. Peripheral artery disease occurs when narrowed arteries in the limbs do not provide adequate blood flow to the extremities, causing pain when walking. Symptoms of PAD may cause a feeling of burning or numbness in the legs and feet. Other symptoms may include painful cramping in the hip, thigh or calf muscles, hair loss on the legs and feet, shiny skin on the legs, sores on toes, feet and legs that do not heal, weak or absent pulses in the feet and a feeling of coldness in the limbs. Peripheral Artery Disease often indicates an underlying more serious illness such as atherosclerosis, says MayoClinic.com.
Atherosclerosis is a buildup of fatty deposits in the artery walls, reducing blood flow. This can ultimately lead to a heart attack or stroke. Treatments for peripheral artery disease may include stopping tobacco use, cholesterol-lowering medications, medications to prevent blood clots and medications to increase blood return to the limbs, notes MayoClinic.com.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that often develops in moist areas, most often between the toes. Athlete's foot causes itching, stinging and burning between the toes or on the soles of the feet. The MayoClinic.com says other symptoms of Athlete's foot may include blisters, cracking and peeling skin, excessive dryness on the bottoms of the feet and toenails that are thick, crumbly or pull away from the nail bed. Many ointments are available over the counter for the treatment of athlete's foot. However, if the fungus does not respond to over the counter treatments physicians may choose to treat with anti-fungals such as terbinafine, clotrimazole or miconozole.
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