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Effective Home Remedies for Burning Feet

Effective home Remedies For Burning Feet

Effective Home Remedies for Burning Feet

Burning feet cause alot of discomfort. Our feet are one of the most receptive body parts. Burning feet is usually an isolated disorder or a symptom of primary disease. Damage to peripheral nerves is usually the most common reason behind burning feet disorder. In other situations, fatigue and excessive standing also leads to temporary burning of feet. Find out the most effective home remedies for burning feet in this blog:  

What are the Symptoms of Burning Feet Syndrome?

Burning feet syndrome or BFS is a medical condition in which there is burning in the lower extremities or feet. BFS leads to excessive burning sensation in your feet, making them uncomfortably painful and hot. 

Depending upon the primary cause, the symptoms vary. Usually, the burning feet syndrome worsens at night. Unlike common belief that BFS affect the soles of the feet, the symptoms extend above the foot sole. You may experience skin redness, excessive warmth and burning sensation in the ankles, top of feet, and even lower legs. [1]

Most common symptoms of Burning Feet Syndrom include:

  • Burning sensation in lower extremities 
  • Burning sensation worsening at night
  • Numbness or heaviness in feet or legs
  • Sharp and stabbing pain in feet
  • Prickling or Tingling similar to “pins and needles”

What are the Common Causes of Burning Feet Syndrome?

Diabetes is the most common cause of Burning feet syndrome. People with diabetes are more prone to peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage. Alcohol abuse and athelet’s foot are among the causes of Burning Feet syndrome. [2]

Here are some other common causes of Burning Feet Syndrome:

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease CMT

Charcot Marie Tooth Disease, or CMT, causes peripheral nerve damage. The pain starts in feet and gradually moves up in your lower leg muscles. Advanced symptoms of BFS include lower leg muscular weekness, difficulting while lifting and walking and foot deformities. CMT is a genetically inherited neurological disorder. [3]

Diabetes

Prolonged high blood glucose levels lead to nerve and vessel damage. Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that leads to burning feet syndrome. Around 50% of diabetic people experience diabetes induced nerve damage at spme point. BFS is among the main symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy. [4]

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Just like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome that affects wrists, the Tarsal Tunnel syndrome affects your ankle. It causes a burning sensation in ankle and lower legs. High compression and nerve damage insight ankle are the primary causes of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.

Other causes of Burning Feet Syndrome include:

  • Malnutrition
  • Kidney Disease
  • Chemotherapy
  • Erythromelalgia
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Bacterial or Fungal Infections
  • Underactive thyroid

Home Remedies for Burning Feet

If you are struggling with Burning Feet Syndrome, chances are that your sleep along with your daily routine is highly disturbed. Here are some home remedies for burning feet to alleviate the symptoms:

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Shoes that are too tight compress your nerves and cause nerve damage. Wear shoes with ample cushioning and foot support. If you have diabetes, wearing medicated orthotic sole shoes is a good way to improve the BFS symptoms. Hard sole shoes like flip-flops, high heels, and sandals worsen foot burning and pain and also lead to blisters. Consult your doctor to get custom orthotic inserts made to cushion your shoes. 

Apply Turmeric Paste

Turnmeric contains curcumin. This active agent has anti inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Mix one teaspoon turmeric in one tablespoon coconut oil to make a turmeric paste. The feeling of turmeric and coconut oil on your feet will help soothe the burning sensation and provide relief from inflammation.

You can also mix one tablespoon of turmeric and ghee in a glass of warm milk to drink at night. This will also improve your burning feet symptoms. [5]

Soak Your Feet in an Ice Bath

An ice bath is an effective remedy to temporarily reduce burning feet pain. Place your feet in an ice bath for 15 minutes only. Avoid exposing your feet in cold water if your skin is sensitive or if you have a skin condition like erythromelalgia. 

Get a Foot Massage

A warm foot massage improved blood flow and circulation in your feet’s blood vessels. People with diabetes should massage their feet once a day to improve blood circulation in blood vessels. It relaxes leg muscles and reduces pain caused by burning feet. Adding ginger extracts in your foot massage oil also helps in relieving pain. Consult a massage therapist to find out and massage pressure spots in your feet for better relief.

Soak Your Feet in Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an effective home remedy against bacterial and microbial infections like athelete’s foot. If you are experiencing burning sensation due to these infections, ACV can relieve burning feet pain. It also kills bacteria and fungi to treat other issues. Soak your feet in apple cider vinegar solution for 20 minutes every other day to get relief.

Fish Oil

Fish oil is a common remedy against inflammation. It reduces pain and leg discomfort. A person suffering with burning feet syndrome due to diabetes can use fish oil to treat the symptoms. Fish oil has been reported to retard and even reverse the diabetic neurpathy progression. [6] You can either eat fish cooked in meals or take over the counter fish oil supplements. The recommended fish oil dosage is between 2,400 to 5,400 mg per day.

Epsom salt Foot Bath

Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate helps in reducing foot pain and swelling. It also helps in treating athlete’s foot. Epsom salt has several benefits, such as:

  • Skin exfoliation
  • Treating athlete’s foot
  • Anti-inflammation
  • Deodorant 
  • Constipation relief

Mix a tablespoon of epsom salt into half bucket of warm water. Soak your feet in the epsom salt mixture for atleast 20-30 minutes.

Epsom Salt is not recommended to be used freely for people with diabetes. Epsome salt may raise the risk of foot damage in diabeteic people. Thus, consult with your doctor before using epsom salt for treating burning feet pain.

Conclusion

Burning feet syndrome is a condition that can truly disturb your quality of life. Home remedies for burning feet are an effective way to improve the symptoms and reduce pain or redness. Adopting a healthy and balanced lifestyle can prevent worsening of BFS. If the burning feet syndrome symptoms worsen, consult with your doctor.

Burning Feet Syndrome FAQs

What is the fastest way to relieve burning feet?

Soaking your feet in ice bath will numb your nerves and instantly reduce the burning feet sensation. However, do not soak your feet in ice for more than 15 minutes. It is a temporary solution and should not be done daily.

What is the main cause of burning feet?

Nerve damage due to diabetes, infection or compression is the most common cause behind burning feet. The symptoms start with burning pain in the foot sole and progress to other parts of your feet and lower legs.

What is the best medication for burning feet?

Over the Counter painkillers and analgesics like Ibuprofen are effective in treating burning feet pain. Topical ointments containing lidocaine and capsaicin are also effective in treating the painful area.

Should I be worried about burning feet?

Burning feet is not a sign of life-threatening condition. In fact, nerve damage is the primary reason of burning feet syndrome. If you experience sudden, sharp burning pain in your feet, seek emergency assistance. The burning feet symptoms improve or worsen depending upon your lifestyle and care. 

References:

[1] Burning Feet Symtoms – WebMd

[2] Burning Feet Causes – MayoClinic

[3] CMT Disease – NHS.UK

[4] Diabetic Neuropathy – NIDD.NHS.GOV

[5] Turmeric Benefits – Healthline

[6] Fish Oil Properties – PubMed

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