Foot Burning and Pain

Wearing inappropriate footwear or foot problems like athlete's foot and Morton's neuroma are some of the factors that cause foot burning and pain. To know more about ball foot burning pain read on...

Burning pain in the foot has become a common phenomenon in today's fast paced life. This foot problem is indeed bothersome as every step taken while walking or running may trigger sharp shooting pain in the leg. Many a times, the foot burning and pain remains localized, while in some cases, the radiating pain reaches the calf muscles and brings extreme discomfort. Read more on burning feet.

Foot Burning and Pain - Causes

Tired feet is one of the most common reasons that cause this foot problem. The intensity and the amount of time the pain occurs, will vary from person to person. However, in most cases, the pain lasts for a few hours and goes away on its own. The main culprits behind foot burning pain are given below:

Wearing Ill-fitting Shoes

Buying ill -fitting shoes is one of the most foolish decisions that one could ever make. People wear tight shoes often complain about foot burning pain. Also, people who have flat feet should purchase shoes that provide adequate support. Inserting arch support insoles in the shoes is also a good option. In flat footed people, the weight of the body is unequally distributed and is more concentrated on the inside of the soles. This can also cause foot burning pain. Read more on flat feet problems.

Peripheral Neuropathy

An uncontrolled diabetes can trigger health complications like peripheral neuropathy. In this condition, the nerves traveling through the extremities of our body (hands and feet) get damaged due to persistent high blood sugar levels. Large blood vessels are considered to be the carriers of the nerves. So, elevated sugar levels in these large blood vessels for prolonged periods of time can damage these nerves and the resulting injury may manifest in the form of foot burning pain.

Overuse of the Feet

This is one of the most common causes of foot burning pain. Laborers working in huge factories have to really work hard to complete their predetermined task. This generally involves standing on feet for considerable period of time, which may lead to foot burning pain.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is an infection that occurs when specific type of fungus invades the feet and specifically targets the moist spaces between the toes. Athlete's foot typically brings a burning sensation and makes the skin itchy. Even the soles of the affected foot, typically produce an unusual stinging sensation. In some cases, the invasion of fungus leads to formation of itchy blisters in between the toes.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS)

The term 'tarsal' refers to the ankle, which is an important part of the foot. As we all know the ankle is a joint that connects the lower part of the leg with the foot. The tarsal tunnel is a passage that is located within the ankle. A closer look inside the passage reveals that arteries, nerves, tendons and the veins pass through this tunnel. If any of the nerves gets compressed due to inflammation of the tendon or injuries like ankle sprain, then the condition is referred as tarsal tunnel syndrome. TTS can trigger numbness or tingling sensation on the foot. The radiating pain may travel down to the upper part of the leg and interfere with activities like walking or running. A twisted ankle can squeeze the nerve and cause foot burning and pain.

Erythromelalgia

Erythromelalgia (EM) is a condition that commonly affects the extremities of the body (feet). This is a disorder related with the abnormal circulation of blood flow. To be more specific, EM refers to the unequal distribution of blood flow, resulting into insufficient circulation of blood in the feet. This can cause foot problems like ball foot burning pain and redness in the feet.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a skin problem that occurs when the skin is exposed to irritants, which generally appears as a rash on the affected areas. It is observed that wearing socks made up of synthetic fibers can irritate the foot skin and cause contact dermatitis, eventually leading to foot burning pain.

Nutritional Deficiency

Intake of diet lacking in vitamin B12 is another reason behind foot burning pain. Nutritional deficiency can always be corrected by following a proper healthy diet.

Morton's Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition in which one of nerves traveling down to the toes gets inflamed. The swelling of the nerve is seen at the ball of the foot that lies between the 3rd and the 4th toe. The ball of the foot is the area where 2 nerves meet and form one large nerve. Doctors believe that the inflammation of this nerve is the body's response to excessive pressure put on this nerve. Ball foot burning pain that is accompanied by numbness and cramps in the forefoot is the most common symptom of Morton's neuroma.

To know more about feet problems and cures, read:

Burning Feet Sensation

Burning Feet at Night

Burning Feet Remedy

When considering treatment for this foot problem, correct diagnosis of the underlying cause is the key to resolve this issue. Appropriate footwear selection is the best remedy for foot burning pain. Buying shoes that posses a wide and high toe box area can help to relieve burning sensation in the foot. Use of high heel shoes or too much sprinting or jumping can also cause foot burning and pain. In such cases, taking adequate rest can help to ease the pain.