Many conditions can cause burning leg pain. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a burning pain in the leg may be caused by a compressed nerve. Other possible causes of burning pain--a sensation sometimes described as tingling--in the leg include certain types of substance abuse, medical conditions and environmental factors. Burning leg pain may signal a serious underlying condition that requires medical treatment, or it may self-resolve without the need for medical intervention.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism can cause burning leg pain. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that's characterized by a strong urge to drink; an inability to stop drinking once drinking has begun; physical dependence on alcohol; and an increased alcohol tolerance or the need to consume more alcohol to achieve the desired effect. One possible complication of alcoholism is the development of alcoholic neuropathy. Common signs and symptoms associated with alcoholic neuropathy include burning pain, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, muscle weakness, heat intolerance, difficulty urinating, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. According to the NIAAA, alcoholism cannot be cured, although it can be successfully treated.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis can cause burning leg pain. Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which a person's immune system attacks the myelin sheath--a protective coating--surrounding the nerves. Without myelin surrounding the nerves, communication between the brain and the rest of the body is disrupted. Multiple sclerosis can progress, causing irreversible damage to the nerves themselves. According to MayoClinic.com, multiple sclerosis symptoms vary considerably, based on the extent of damage and the nerves affected. Common signs and symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis include tingling or burning pain throughout the body, numbness or weakness in one or multiple limbs, vision problems, fatigue, dizziness and a loss of coordination. Multiple sclerosis most commonly affects women between the ages of 20 and 40.
Sunburn
Sunburn can cause burning leg pain. Sunburn is reddening of the skin following prolonged exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light. Evidence of a sunburn may not appear for several hours. In fact, the full effect of a sunburn may not be known for 24 hours or more after sun exposure. Sunburns occur when the degree of sun exposure surpasses the ability of melanin--the protective pigment in skin--to protect the skin. In a person with light skin, sunburns can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
