A number of conditions can cause burning feet -- the sensation that your feet are painfully hot -- while you are working out. If you are a relatively healthy person who works out regularly, your feet might just be tired. Athlete's foot, plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome may also cause burning feet in active people. Sometimes, burning feet can result from serious health conditions, including HIV and complications of diabetes, although these conditions are normally accompanied by other serious symptoms.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a condition that can cause burning feet among active people. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that thrives in warm, moist areas, like sweaty gym socks or tight-fitting shoes. This condition is also contagious and can easily be spread by walking barefoot on locker room floors, saunas or other communal areas. Common symptoms of athlete's foot include itching, stinging and burning sensations on the feet, especially in between the toes and on the soles of the feet. You may also have excessively dry, cracked skin on the feet. Fortunately, athlete's foot can be easily treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal medications or medicated foot powders. If these don't work, your doctor may prescribe a prescription topical or oral medication to treat your athlete's foot.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is another condition that can cause burning feet when working out. Plantar fasciitis is especially common among runners and people who do other types of exercise that put a loss of stress on the feet, such as ballet dancing and dance aerobics, according to MayoClinic.com. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia -- the thick band of soft tissue that supports the arch of the foot -- becomes inflamed or irritated. This condition usually develops gradually may occur in one or both feet. The burning pain associated with plantar fasciitis is usually centered on the heel of the foot and may worsen after physical activity. According to MayoClinic.com, most people who have plantar fasciitis recover with conservative treatments in just a few months. Treatments for plantar fasciitis include anti-inflammatory medications, topical steroid creams, physical therapy, and, in very severe cases, surgery.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Overpronating, or rolling the foot inward, when you exercise on your feet can cause a condition called tarsal tunnel syndrome. Often, this condition causes a burning, tingling sensation, in the heel, arch, and sometimes the toes. Tarsal tunnel syndrome can result from a number of causes, but in running or sports that involve a lot of running, overpronation is the most frequent cause, according to SportsInjuryClinic.net. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the posterior tibial nerve that runs through the foot becomes compressed from frequent overpronation or other causes. Treatment for tarsal tunnel syndrome often involves wearing an orthotic that positions the foot in a neutral or inverted position. Cold therapy, steroidal injections and physical therapy may also help.
When to See a Doctor
While a one-time incidence of burning feet while working out is usually nothing to worry about, MayoClinic.com recommends seeing a doctor if your symptom don't improve with self-care measures, which include resting and elevating your feet, switching to more comfortable shoes, and bathing your feet in cold water. MayoClinic.com also recommends seeing a doctor if you start losing feeling in your feet or toes, notice the pain is radiating up your legs, or if the pain worsens over time. If your burning feet are accompanied by other worrisome symptoms such as an open wound that appears to be infected, you should seek immediate emergency care, as you also should if your burning foot pain started after exposure to some type of toxin, says MayoClinic.com.
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