Burning feet: what it can mean.

A burning feeling in the feet has many possible causes. Some are as simple as shoes that fit badly. Others point to the nerves. This article covers what Cleveland Clinic, the National Institutes of Health, and the NHS say about the common causes, how a provider finds the cause, and when to get it checked.

What burning feet feel like

Cleveland Clinic describes burning feet syndrome, also called Grierson-Gopalan syndrome, as a set of symptoms in which “your feet become uncomfortably hot and painful.” It often feels stronger at night and eases during the day. The heat can stay in the soles or reach the tops of the feet, the ankles, and the lower legs. Some people also feel prickling, tingling, or “pins and needles.”

Common causes

Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)

Cleveland Clinic calls peripheral neuropathy “one of the main causes of burning feet syndrome.” It happens when something damages the sensory nerves that run to the arms and legs. People who have had diabetes for a long time, with a history of high blood glucose, are more likely to develop it. Cleveland Clinic also lists certain medications, inherited and autoimmune conditions, toxic chemicals, infections, alcohol use disorder, and nutritional imbalances such as low B vitamins.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) notes that about two thirds of people with diabetes have nerve problems that “can cause numb, tingling, or burning feet.” The NHS lists “burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas” among the main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Pressure on a nerve in the foot or ankle

Cleveland Clinic describes two common ones. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, a nerve inside the ankle is squeezed, which can cause burning or tingling in parts of the foot. A neuroma is thickened nerve tissue between the bones at the base of the toes. Shoes that are too tight can cause it, as can a sports injury or the way the foot moves.

Thyroid

According to Cleveland Clinic, an underactive thyroid gland may cause a burning sensation in the feet, along with weight gain, dry skin, or fatigue.

Skin and footwear

Not every cause involves the nerves. Athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that grows in damp, warm conditions, can cause itching, burning, and stinging between the toes and on the soles. Shoes that are too tight or too thin-soled, socks or stockings that rub, and the dyes and chemicals used in some shoe materials can also irritate the feet.

Erythromelalgia

Cleveland Clinic describes this as a rare disorder that causes intense burning, warmth, and visible redness in the toes and soles. Its exact cause is unknown, and episodes can last from minutes to days.

How a provider finds the cause

There is no test that measures burning directly, so a provider looks for the cause. Cleveland Clinic says that usually means:

• A medical history, including symptoms and current medications
• An exam of your feet and a check of your reflexes
• Blood work for blood glucose, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid and other hormone problems, and electrolytes
• Nerve tests (electromyography and nerve conduction studies) when nerve damage is suspected

Everyday care for your feet

Cleveland Clinic suggests:

• Shoes that fit properly and let your feet breathe
• Low heels, a wide toe box, and good arch support
• Clean, dry socks, which help prevent athlete’s foot
• Soaking your feet in cool, not cold, water for at least 15 minutes for short-term comfort

When to see a doctor

The NHS advises seeing a doctor if you notice early signs such as pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in the feet, or a cut or ulcer on your foot that is not getting better. The NHS notes that an earlier diagnosis gives a better chance of limiting the damage.

Get emergency care right away if numbness or tingling comes with weakness or trouble moving, follows a head, neck, or back injury, or comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, confusion, slurred speech, or vision changes. MedlinePlus lists these as reasons to call 911.

For more on related symptoms, see Tingling in your feet and Numb, tingling feet.

Sources

• Cleveland Clinic, “Burning Feet Syndrome”
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Peripheral Neuropathy”
• NHS, “Peripheral neuropathy”
• MedlinePlus, “Numbness and tingling”