Recurring burning sensations in your feet may be caused by a variety of medical conditions or underlying diseases.
Neuropathy induced from diabetes or prolonged alcohol abuse are some of the most common causes and they require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent further damage to the nerves in your feet.
So, it is imperative to consult your local physician at the earliest.
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Burning Feet Home Remedies
The treatment measures for diabetic neuropathy will focus generally on controlling the blood sugar levels in the body to stop the ongoing nerve damage.
And with a combination of dietary changes, oral medications, and insulin injections, this can be easily achieved. But dealing with the frequent nerve pain in the limbs associated with this disease may require help from additional pain medications.
Such pain relievers can come with many side effects so if you are looking to reduce the load of cosmetic drugs you have to take daily, here we have created a list of some home remedies you can try out instead to ease the pain.
Popular home remedies for burning feet:
- Coldwater therapy:
The idea of submerging your burning feet in cold water might seem like an obvious solution. And rightly so in most cases.
Fill a small container with cold water and keep both your feet in it for 10-15 minutes. This can provide temporary relief.
However, those with Erythromelalgia should abstain from this procedure as it can worsen their condition.
- Foot massage:
Massaging your feet is a good way to improve the blood circulation to your feet and relieve the burning sensation.
Get a foot massage for at least 15 mins daily.
- Get a Tens unit:
Tens units are very handy and easy-to-use-device that can provide pain relief from a variety of body pains and aches.
It works by directly stimulating the pain-causing nerves with small electrical impulses that overloads the pain receptors and alleviates the pain temporarily.
Read more about Tens units to understand how to use it.
- Turmeric:
Turmeric is known to improve blood circulation and the ‘curcumin’ contained within it also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Mix turmeric powder with some essential oils into a thick paste and apply uniformly on your feet. Keep in mind that this can leave yellow stains on your feet for some time.
- Bitter gourd leaves:
Bitter gourd leaves have been a popular home remedy for a long time. Simply grind a handful of bitter gourd leaves with water into a thick and smooth paste and directly apply this paste to your feet as necessary.
You can store this paste in the refrigerator for a week or more before it loses its freshness. Refrigeration will also give the paste a cooling property.
- Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar can help flush out harmful bacteria and fungi build up in your feet. So, it is very useful against diseases from infections such as athlete’s foot.
Fill a small basin with apple cider vinegar and water in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio and keep both your feet submerged in it for about 10-15 minutes.
Drinking a glass of water mixed with a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar can be good for balancing good pH levels in your body as well.
Other known causes
- Kidney disease:
The kidneys are responsible for flushing out harmful toxins and waste products from the body so when the kidney is not functioning properly a build-up of toxins can occur.
This build-up can lead to uremic neuropathy that will come with burning sensations in the feet.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome:
It is a condition caused by repeated compression to a nerve called ‘posterior tibial nerve’ that runs along the ankle from your knee.
This nerve travels through a small passageway inside the ankle section called ‘tarsal tunnel’.
People with flat feet are more susceptible to this condition because of the way severely flattened feet can stretch the tibial nerve. Flat feet can also lead to arthritis in the long run which can further increase the chances of developing tarsal tunnel syndrome due to the inflammation it causes in the feet.
- Exposure to toxins:
Certain detergents, cleaners, soap, etc can be toxic and can irritate the skin when exposed for a prolonged period.
Health care workers, florists, cleaners, etc are more likely to develop this kind of condition. It is also known as contact dermatitis.
Washing your feet after coming into contact with such chemicals are highly recommended.
- Infectious diseases:
Inflammations from infectious diseases are also known to cause burning sensations in the feet.
Athlete’s foot is a common contagious disease whose symptoms include scaly rashes that can cause itching, stinging, and burning sensations.
HIV/AIDS can also cause peripheral neuropathy that involves the same burning sensations in the limbs. It is estimated that nearly one-third of people with HIV/AIDS experience some peripheral nerve damage.
- Side effects of certain medications:
Medications for treating HIV/AIDS that are known to cause peripheral neuropathy include ddI: Didanosine, Videx®ddC: Zalcitabine, Hivid®d4T: Stavudine, Zerit®, etc.
Some chemotherapy medications designed for killing cancer cells are also known to induce peripheral neuropathy so immediate consultation with your physician is recommended if you notice any such discomfort with their use.
- Vitamin B 12 deficiency:
Burning sensation in the feet may be a symptom of vitamin b12 deficiency and be treated by taking necessary supplements.
But certain other underlying causes such as pernicious anemia will require additional treatment for treating this deficiency
Prevention > Cure
For diabetics, the best way to prevent neuropathy is to keep their blood sugar levels in control through regular check-up sessions with their physician.
Exercising can be a great way to improve blood circulation to the feet and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Wear shoes and socks that are fit firmly but comfortably and avoid footwear that causes tension build-up in your feet.
Wash your socks regularly and maintain a hygienic atmosphere in your feet to avoid infections such as ‘Athlete’s foot’.
If you are healthcare worker or a cleaner or a machinist that comes into contact with a lot of chemicals, make sure you wash both your hands and feet properly after your work.
Finally, eat a balanced diet. Make sure you include a variety in your diet every week. Switching up your sources of protein and fiber will ensure you derive a healthy amount of vitamin b12 that is essential for good nerve health.
Remember, you are what you eat and that includes your feet!
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