Numerous underlying conditions can cause the soles of your feet to burn while exercising. One of the more common and benign triggers includes improperly ventilated or poorly fitting footwear. However, the origin of burning feet may relate to more serious health conditions such as diabetes. If the soles of your feet burn while exercising, start by upgrading your athletic shoes. If this does not alleviate the discomfort, speak to your doctor or healthcare practitioner.
Footwear
The soles of your feet may burn during exercise due to footwear issues. If your athletic shoes lack adequate ventilation, your feet may burn because they are overheating in your shoes. Similarly, the soles of your feet may burn due to mechanical problems, such as your shoes being too tight or not having enough support in the arch. Another oft overlooked cause of burning feet may be synthetic socks. Wear breathable fibers when exercising, and the irritation may subside.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a common condition among athletic types. Intense and high-impact activity such as running, jumping, aerobics and sports can stress the metatarsal bones in the forefoot and cause sharp, burning pain on the underside of the ball of your foot. Metatarsalgia typically responds to rest, ice and heat therapy. Metatarsal inserts for your athletic shoes are another option.
Morton's Neuroma
When the nerves of the feet encounter compression or irritation, they may develop Morton's neuroma -- a thickening of the nerve tissue between the third and fourth toes. This condition causes inflammation, burning, tingling and pain on the bottoms of the feet. Although Morton's neuroma typically responds well to medication and orthotic devices, it can cause permanent nerve damage.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Elevated glucose levels in the blood or restricted blood vessels can trigger diabetic peripheral neuropathy -- nerve damage that affects the sensory nerves of the feet. Symptoms include burning, pain, numbness, tingling and sharp prickly sensations. In some cases, these symptoms manifest long before the patient receives a diabetes diagnosis. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can lead to serious health complications such as skin ulcers, infections, amputation and even death. If your burning feet persist despite self-care techniques and do not respond to ice, heat or rest, it is a good idea to get your blood sugar levels checked.
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