How is burning feet syndrome diagnosed?
As there aren’t any tests to objectively measure the intensity of foot pain or burning, your healthcare provider will try to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Physical examination
Your provider will ask you about your medical history, including any physical symptoms you have and medications that you’re taking. They’ll test your reflexes and examine your feet for signs of infection, injury or other issues.
Blood tests
Your provider may order tests to measure your blood glucose level or screen for nutritional deficiencies or endocrine disorders. They’ll usually request a complete blood count. Other lab work may include serum and urine electrolytes (magnesium, sodium, potassium, vitamin B levels and chloride).
Nerve function tests
Your provider may order electrodiagnostic tests in the case of suspected nerve damage.
- Electromyography: This test helps determine what’s causing pain, numbness or tingling. Providers do this test by inserting a very thin needle with an electrode through your skin into your muscle. The needle electrode records your muscle’s activity as it contracts and relaxes.
- Nerve conduction velocity test: This test helps providers how fast electrical impulses move along a nerve. Providers do this test to differentiate between true nerve disorders and conditions in which muscles are affected by a nerve injury. Providers place flat electrodes on your skin along the nerve pathway. The electrodes apply a low-intensity current
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How is burning feet syndrome treated?
Treatment for burning feet syndrome depends on the underlying causes or conditions.
Self-care
- Soak your feet in cool water for at least 15 minutes. This may provide temporary relief. Cold water isn’t recommended.
- Avoid exposing your feet to heat.
- Raise your legs and feet.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicines (analgesics). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen may temporarily ease pain.
- Apply topical creams and ointments. Nonprescription creams and ointments containing capsaicin may relieve pain. You may use topical antifungal creams, lotions, sprays or powders to treat athlete’s foot.
Prescription medications
- Insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs can help manage blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.
- Nutritional supplements may be prescribed for people with vitamin deficiencies.
- Analgesics. Drugs such as oral or topical narcotic or non-narcotic medications may be prescribed to relieve pain. Topical creams, lotions, sprays or patches containing lidocaine may alleviate discomfort.
- Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants and others may help with chronic pain associated with neuropathy.
- Anti-seizure drugs. Gabapentin, carbamazepine, pregabalin and others may be used to treat chronic pain.
- Antifungal drugs. Oral medications may be used for infections resistant to topical products.
Other treatment options
- Physical therapy and exercise.
- Dietary changes.
- Foot pads and shoe inserts (orthotic devices).
- Foot surgery may be recommended with certain underlying causes in cases that don’t respond to medications or more conservative forms of treatment.
Can burning feet syndrome be prevented?
There’s no way to completely prevent burning feet, but these guidelines may help to address some problems:
- Schedule regular examinations with a podiatrist or foot care specialist. Regular checkups are necessary if you have burning feet in diabetes or other conditions that can affect your nerves. People with diabetes or other conditions may need to be fitted with special shoes.
- Select shoes that fit properly and provide adequate ventilation. Shoes should have low heels, a wide toe box and provide good support for the arches of your feet.
- Wear clean, dry socks to prevent athlete’s foot. Change your socks often if you participate in sports or other activities that make your feet perspire.
- Examine your feet daily for signs of infection or injury. Check your feet for blisters, sores, cuts, ulcers and breaks in your skin to prevent infections.
- If you have diabetes, managing your sugar may be the single most effective way to prevent or treat neuropathy secondary to this cause.
