There are parts of our body that we pay a lot of attention to and we worry about whenever there is any alteration. On the other hand, certain areas of our body do not seem to worry us so much when any problem can be a sign of alarm. Our feet are the most neglected, especially if we take into account that the weight of our body rests on them and they are the ones who support us. Taking all that into account, keeping them cared for should be essential.
Do you have burning feet? Do you feel the sensation that you are burned? There are multiple conditions that can manifest through this symptom. That is why in the following FastlyHealarticle we will explain everything about burning feet: causes .
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Burning sensation in the feet
The burning sensation in the feet is a very common symptom that everyone has experienced at any time. If it occurs sporadically it does not represent any serious health problem, however, if it occurs on a recurring basis, it is an alarm that our body is sending and that we should not ignore.
It is very important, when establishing what is causing it, to see if there are any other symptoms beyond the sensation of heat. Redness, peeling, pain, bad smell, irritation or swelling are some of the aspects that must be taken into account.
On the other hand, if we suffer from an underlying disease , it can also facilitate the diagnosis of this condition. If you want to know what causes burning feet, keep reading the following FastlyHealarticle and we will clarify it for you.
Causes of burning feet: peripheral neuropathy
The peripheral neuropathy is a disease that can cause you this burning feet. This is a condition of the nerves and nerve fibers that causes them to be hyperactive and, therefore, cause pain. What happens is that by being overexcited, these nerve fibers send pain stimuli to the brain that do not really exist, so the burning sensation is generated in the brain without any specific cause being causing it. Other symptoms that can accompany hot feet are tingling and the feeling that the feet are numb or fall asleep.
The vast majority of cases in which peripheral neuropathy occurs is as a consequence of diabetes mellitus , when the amount of sugar in the blood ends up causing damage to the nerves. In this way, it is very important that you visit the doctor for a complete check-up if you feel burning feet, since it could be that you suffer from type II diabetes without knowing it, a disease that requires treatment.
Beyond diabetes, there are other conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy, among which we highlight:
- The alcoholism
- Vitamin B deficiency
- Heavy metal poisoning
Feet burning from skin causes
Although, as we have said, there are different systemic problems that can manifest with burning feet, the most common is that this sensation is due to some type of skin problem . Here we explain which are the most important:
- Foot fungus : also popularly known as athlete’s foot, they are quite common infections, especially in hot months. If you suffer burning in your toes, itching, redness, bad smell and peeling, it is very likely that you suffer, since they are its most characteristic symptoms.
- Allergy : it is possible that you suffer some type of allergy to the fabric of the socks or some of the chemicals with which you wash them. If this were the case, the most normal thing is that symptoms of dermatitis appear such as redness, itching and swelling.
In the event that you suspect that any of these may be the cause of your burning feet, we recommend that you visit a dermatologist so that they can make an accurate diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Burning feet at night: due to poor circulation
Among the main causes of burning feet we also find problems related to blood and circulation:
- Increased red blood cells : it is another possible cause of the sensation of heat in the feet. If there is an increase in the production of these cells, the blood becomes thicker than normal, causing that when it reaches the capillaries of the foot they create a burning sensation. In these cases, the heat or burning in the feet occurs at night or when you go to sleep.
- Erythromeralgia – This is another circulatory condition that can lead to these symptoms. In reality it is a dilation of the arteries of the hands and feet, however, other areas of the body can also be affected, especially the face, knees and ears. The symptoms that they cause are pain and a burning sensation and although the exact causes that cause it are unknown, there are cases in which it is caused by another cardiovascular problem.
the duration of this sensation can be highly variable, from minutes to hours or become chronic. Normally it usually appears at night , before going to sleep, so we recommend that if you notice these symptoms you go to a doctor to evaluate the state of your circulatory health.
Burning feet: other causes
In addition to all the possible causes that we have been explaining throughout the article, there are many and varied alterations that cause similar symptoms. Among the other causes of burning feet we find:
- Hormonal alterations : much more common in women than in men. Hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle may be related to burning feet. It is common for women to have this sensation days before menstruation arrives, as well as it can be one of the symptoms of menopause.
- Injuries : Some injuries to the spinal cord or spinal column can eventually lead to nerve damage causing the feet to feel warm.
- Overload: if you notice burning in the sole of the foot when walking, when running or when wearing certain shoes, it is very likely that it is caused by the overload to which you subject them. In this situation, it is best to make them rest in cold water and always wear comfortable shoes.
- Due to stress : anxiety and nervous states can be reflected in almost any area of the body. If you are tense or irritated, burning feet may be a somatization of that nervousness.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Burning feet: causes , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.