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What are the home remedies for burning feet? Before moving into the topic discussion further, what do you understand by the term “burning feet?”
Burning feet is a common issue faced by parents or grandparents. They experience a heaviness in the feet and an intense burning sensation with extreme heat and painful feet. A study from the National Library of Medicine (NIH) shows that 24% of Swedish and non-Swedish Healthcare patients experience burning feet.
Now, what causes this burning sensation in feet? What are the best home remedies for burning feet? This concept deserves a closer look.
1. What Is Burning Feet or Burning Feet Syndrome (BFS)?
Burning Feet Syndrome (BFS) is a medical condition where a person experiences uncomfortable hot feet with a lot of pain. An alternate name for this syndrome is Grierson Gopalan Syndrome.
There is uneasiness with rigorous pain during the night with little ache during the daytime in the soles, top of the legs, ankles, and lower legs. This condition occurs mainly in adults and elders.
2. What Are the Causes of Burning Feet Syndrome (BFS)?
What causes a burning foot? Burning feet is primarily due to nerve damage in the legs called Peripheral Neuropathy1. The peripheral nerves that belong to the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) get damaged in Peripheral Neuropathy.
This peripheral nerve damage in Peripheral Neuropathy could be due to heavy alcohol consumption, devastating accidents, or diabetes resulting in nerve pain. Certain infections and inflammations also lead to nerve damage. Let us discuss the causes in more detail.
2.1. Nutritional Deficiency
Nutritional Deficiencies include Vitamin Deficiency Anemia due to a lack of vitamins that belong to the B complex groups like Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), Folate (Vitamin B9), Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), or Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6).
2.2. Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic Neuropathy is a condition that causes nerve damage due to diabetes2. In this complication, high sugar levels damage the blood vessels preventing the nutrient flow through the nerves. It then causes the nerve fibers to get destroyed and may also vanish and affect sensation in the body and feet. Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy are BFS, numbness, tingling feet, cramps, sharp pains, and muscle weakness.
2.3. Alcoholic Neuropathy
Heavy consumption of alcohol results again in nerve damage resulting in a condition, Alcoholic Neuropathy. Symptoms are BFS, numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, weakness, and improper muscle functioning.
2.4. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a condition where a person’s arm and leg become inflamed with pain due to an injury. This syndrome occurs due to a fracture, a sprain, or surgery. Its symptoms are BFS, joint stiffness, excessive bone growth, limb swelling, and changes in skin color, temperature, and texture.
2.5. Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy (SFSN)
Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy (SFSN) is a painful neuropathy where the person experiences discomfort from feet to hands as small sensory cutaneous nerves get affected. Myelin Sheath covers and protects nerve fibers. Damage to this sheath results in this syndrome.
These nerves are responsible for providing feedback between hair and skin. This syndrome also occurs as a result of impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes. Symptoms associated with this syndrome are BFS, pins and needles, tingling, and cold pain.
2.6. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)
Charcot-Tooth-Disease (CMT) is an inherited nerve damage to the peripheral nerves. The person experiences symptoms like BFS, foot deformities, difficulty lifting the foot during walking (foot paralysis), and weakness in the lower leg and foot muscles.
2.7. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs in the legs where the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the legs get narrowed or blocked. Its symptoms are BFS, numbness, muscle cramps, sore feet, toes, and legs, changes in skin color, cold feet, and cramps in the hips, calf muscles, and thighs.
2.8. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome occurs due to compression occurring in the posterior tibial nerve. This tibial nerve is present in the ankle that passes through the Tarsal Tunnel. Tarsal Tunnel is a passage inside the ankle that forms the ankle bones and ligaments stretching across the foot.
Symptoms of this syndrome are BFS, numbness, tingling feet, and weakness in the foot muscles.
2.9. Athlete’s Foot
An Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal infection in the toes and feet soles. It occurs due to fungi named Dermatophytes3 growing in the moist and warm parts of the skin. Wearing moistened shoes or socks in a humid environment helps in the growth of the fungi and spreads across the skin.
The symptoms of the Athlete’s foot are having a burning sensation, scaly rashes on the skin, blisters on the feet, dry skin, and stinging between the toes.
2.10. Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma refers to a state where the nerve tissue in the foot becomes thick. This condition usually affects the areas between the third and fourth toes. It results when wearing too-tight shoes, injury in the foot due to sports, or subnormal foot movement.
The symptoms are a burning sensation between the toes, toes swelling, numbness, tingling, and pins and needles.
2.11. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment used to cure cancer. But chemotherapy can also have side effects on the foot and damage the tissues resulting in numbness, pain, and burning. The Chemotherapy Therapeutic Chemicals that kill cancer cells may produce these side effects affecting the feet. There is also a term for it called “Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy.”
3. Other Causes of Burning Feet Syndrome (BFS)
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Malnutrition
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Hypothyroidism
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Kidney disease
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HIV/AIDS
4. Symptoms of Burning Feet Syndrome (BFS)
Burning feet symptoms are:
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Burning sensation at night
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A feeling of numbness in the feet or legs
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Stabbing or sharp pain in the foot
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Heaviness in the feet
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Redness of skin with excess warmth
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Tingling or prickling sensations in the foot
5. Best Home Remedies for Burning Feet
How to treat Burning Feet Syndrome (BFS)? Now that we are well familiar with what burning feet are, its causes, and related symptoms, there are several home remedies to cure painful burning. We will discuss some home remedies for burning feet used by people for ages in ancient times to relieve burning pain.
5.1. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Preference to wearing comfortable footwear having a soft cushion and support is one of the best home remedies for burning feet to maintain effectual blood circulation. People with diabetes must take this remedy into notice as they suffer from too much burning feeling in the feet and other nerve pain.
Avoid wearing slippers, flip flops (those having rubber soles), high heels, and sandals, as these have a firm base and will aggravate foot pain. The footwear shouldn’t be too tight and doesn’t fit properly. Tight-fit footwear limits the blood flow to the feet and puts more pressure on the foot, creating more irritation.
5.2. Soak Feet in an Ice Bath
Soaking feet in ice-cold water is one of the best home remedies for burning feet. Take a tub of cold water and soak your feet in cold water for around 15 minutes.
Placing your feet in cold water helps reduce swelling and inflammation in the feet and helps relieve pain. However, this remedy acts as a temporary relief to the foot’s pain. Alternatively,
It is advisable for people suffering from Erythromelalgia must avoid following this remedy as it causes damage to the skin.
5.3. Foot Massage
Foot Massage is one of the excellent and best home remedies for burning feet. One of the common reasons for burning feet depends on improper blood flow and circulation in the body.
Massaging your foot from the toes to the soles will help improve blood flow, reduce burning sensation, and provide pain relief. A randomized controlled trial from the National Library of Medicine (NIH) shows that Thai Foot Massage helped those with Diabetic Neuropathy improve balance performance.
5.4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is a kind of vinegar made using the process of fermentation from apple juice. It has antibacterial properties that help to fight unwanted bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microbes and is one of the best home remedies for burning feet.
Add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to a tub of warm water and soak your feet in it. You can do this at least once or a maximum of twice a day. Although there is no scientific proof for this method, it is still opted for by most people.
5.5. Epsom Salts
Epsom salt is a chemical name for Magnesium Sulphate in crystallized form. It has had a variety of uses for hundreds of years by people for treating various ailments, from muscle aches, skin exfoliation, and inflammation reduction to foot problems.
Soak your feet in a warm water tub containing Epsom salt for around 20-30 minutes. People having diabetes must check once with a doctor before using an Epsom salt bath since Epsom salt results in more foot damage.
5.6. Take Turmeric Supplements
Turmeric is an ayurveda that emerged in ancient times and holds its significance today as one of the best ayurvedic home remedies in treating several skin conditions and helping relieve burning feet.
It has a bioactive chemical compound called Curcumin, a bright yellow pigment. This Curcumin has antioxidants, antimicrobial effects, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties aid in reducing inflammation and give other healing benefits.
Take turmeric supplements as their anti-inflammatory properties help with the burning sensation in feet. You can also drink turmeric milk and turmeric tea or add turmeric as a seasoning in meals.
Another option is to make a thick paste of turmeric and coconut oil for the feet. A study from ScienceDirect states that Curcumin helps to prevent Chronic Neuropathy development at the early stages.
5.7. RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation)
The remedy of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) applies well to Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. The process starts with resting the feet, applying ice, giving compression, and elevating the feet to a raised position.
RICE procedure helps in lessening the swelling and inflammation and provides pain relief. It is one of the best home remedies for burning feet. Hence, it reduces the symptoms of BFS.
5.8. Ginger
Ginger is another one of the best remedies for burning feet. It also carries medicinal benefits equal to turmeric, with anti-inflammatory properties that help treat feet burning.
A study from the National Library of Medicine (NIH) shows that ginger extract and its compound helped decrease Diabetic Neuropathy in mice.
Add a few drops of ginger juice to coconut oil and massage the feet for 20 minutes. Also, you can consume ginger tea as an option.
5.9. Fish Oil
Fish Oil is one good remedy to cure burning feet as it has anti-inflammatory properties that help repair nerve damage. Research from the National Library of Medicine (NIH) states that fish oil can help reverse Diabetic Neuropathy.
5.10. Black Cumin
Black Cumin acts as the best remedy for people having Diabetic Neuropathy. It helps to manage and reduce blood sugar levels, which prevents nerve damage.
5.11. Apply Topical Creams
Topical Creams like Lidocaine or Capsaicin help in pain relief. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that makes the skin numb and that medical practitioners use before doing any surgery. It also helps treat burns, insect bites, and burning feet. Capsaicin is a component in chili peppers that helps naturally relieve painful burns.
Research from PubMed Central of the National Library of Medicine (NIH) shows that these two creams can help treat Diabetic Neuropathic Pain.
5.12. Orthotics
Orthotics are doctor-prescribed customized-designed shoe inserts that perfectly fit the foot and resolve foot problems. These inserts are inside the shoes to reduce nerve pain, preferred for diabetic patients suffering from a burning sensation.
Using the shape of the foot, doctors order custom inserts that fit comfortably inside shoes. These inserts help in relieving pain.
5.13. Take Vitamin B-Complex Supplements
Deficiency in Vitamins that belong to the B-Complex group can result in burning feet. These vitamins include vitamins B12, B9, B6, and B1. Consume foods rich in Vitamin B, which are green leafy veggies, fish, eggs, and beef. Take Vitamin B supplements as per the prescription by the physician.
5.14. Take Thyroid Supplements
Lower levels of thyroid hormones can exert pressure on the nerves in the feet, creating a burning sensation. Consult a physician to check for thyroid hormone production and take thyroid supplements. Also, eating fish, avocados, and peanuts will help in thyroid hormone production.
6. Final Note for Burning Feet
Treating BFS depends on the underlying cause. Curing this syndrome requires checking the root cause and taking the necessary steps.
The above remedies will help you deal with burning feet issues. Checking with the doctor for treating BFS is also preferable to discussing any medical history and taking necessary blood tests to check for body function.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
7.1. What is the reason for feet burning?
Burning feet is primarily due to nerve damage in the legs called Peripheral Neuropathy.
7.2. How do you treat hot feet at night?
You can use various remedies for treating hot feet at night. For example- taking an Epsom salt or apple cider vinegar bath before going to bed, comforting your feet with an ice pack or cold compression, applying turmeric paste, and wearing comfortable compression socks are some remedies that can help with hot feet at night.
7.3. Which deficiency may cause burning in feet?
A deficiency of vitamins that belong to the B complex groups is a common cause of burning feet.
7.4. What foods to avoid with burning feet?
Foods like red meats, trans-fat food, and desserts that are full of sugar should be avoided with burning feet. Instead, try to add food to your diet that is rich in vitamin B.
7.5. Should I be worried about my burning feet?
As discussed above, burning feet are due to nerve damage, it might be worrisome to deal with the fact. If you’re continuously experiencing pain despite taking remedies and self-care for weeks, you must consult a doctor for help.
- Martyn, C. N., and RA1074084 Hughes. “Epidemiology of peripheral neuropathy.” Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry 62.4 (1997): 310. ↩︎
- Obrosova, Irina G. “Diabetes and the peripheral nerve.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Basis of Disease 1792.10 (2009): 931-940. ↩︎
- Weitzman, Irene, and Richard C. Summerbell. “The dermatophytes.” Clinical microbiology reviews 8.2 (1995): 240-259. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
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