You're not going crazy; there actually is a medical condition called "burning feet syndrome." If your feet burn, it may simply be a sign that your feet are tired, or that you have a minor condition like athlete's foot. There are, however, more serious conditions that can cause this symptom. If you experience heat, pain, a "pins and needles" sensation or numbness in your feet, consult your doctor. She can run tests to properly diagnose whether your condition is a result of a nutritional deficiency or some other cause.
Definition of Burning Feet Syndrome
Burning feet syndrome, or BFS, is a condition commonly treated by general practitioners. The symptoms include feelings of heat and heaviness in your feet and lower limbs. The condition was first documented as early as 1826 by J. Grierson and received detailed study by C. Gopalan in 1946. In acknowledgment of these early pioneers in the study of burning feet syndrome, the condition was given the alternate name Grierson-Gopalan syndrome. There are many possible causes for this syndrome. Vitamin deficiency is just one of them.
Vitamin Deficiencies and Nerve Damage
In some cases, you may experience burning feet as a result of nerve damage, also known as peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can occur when your body does not have the appropriate nutrients to support and maintain your nervous system. Deficiences in riboflavin or vitamin B-2, nicotinic acid or vitamin B-3, cobalamin or B-12, thiamine or B-1 and pyridoxine or B-6 have all been implicated as possible causes of burning feet syndrome, according to the "Australian Family Physician." No other type of vitamin besides B has been associated with this condition.
Mechanism of Deficiency-Induced Nerve Damage
The precise mechanism by which B vitamin deficiencies cause nerve damage is unclear, but an article in the December 2002 issue of the "Australian Family Physician" suggests that a deficiency in vitamin B interrupts cellular metabolism and causes waste products to accumulate in the nerve tissue, causing abnormal nerve stimulation that is interpreted as heat or pain. In cases of B-12 deficiency, the lack of the vitamin can damage the insulating outer layer that allows nerve impulses to travel quickly between nerve cells.
Treatment
Consult your doctor if you have burning feet. It is not wise to self-diagnose or attempt to treat this condition on your own, as improper diagnosis of vitamin deficiency can lead to a prolongation of your condition with possibly permanent repercussions. If not addressed in time, nerve damage from a lack of vitamins such as B-12 can become irreversible.
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