As the name suggests, burning feet syndrome is a disorder in the feet. There is usually a painful burning sensation during the course of the disorder. In some cases, patients also complain of tingling, tension, irritation, itching and redness of the skin of the feet.
What are burning feet?
Burning feet possess the medical term Burning-Feet. It usually results in burning and painful, tingling or itching feet. This feeling resembles, for example, “asleep” hands and feet, which in the course “wake up” again. In addition, there may be redness, swelling or changes on various areas of the skin, as well as cyanotic to livid discoloration. Often this is a reaction to extensive alcohol and/or cigarette consumption. This affects the vascular system as well as peripheral nervous system. On the other hand, burning feet can also be an allergic reaction, which is caused, for example, by the materials of shoes or stockings.
Causes
Among the causes of burning feet syndrome, which do not require any medical treatment, is, for example, the short-term squeezing (squeezing) of nerves or vessels within the lower leg as well as foot area. This can be caused by tight shoes or clothing as well as by crossing the legs while sitting. Since with the latter the blood circulation from the knee downward (important vessel course within the knee hollow, blood circulation disturbances) is impaired. An extreme as well as fast change of the temperatures leads in particular to a contraction and/or to the extension of the vessels. Thus, in freezing cold, the vessels of the body contract and the blood flow becomes much slower. In very warm/hot temperatures, the vessels behave in the opposite way in burning-feet syndrome.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The real Burning-Feet-Syndrome, which is caused by a vitamin deficiency (mostly pantothenic acid), is especially noticeable at night. Then an agonizing burning of the feet occurs, which can only be alleviated by cooling. The burning feet are often also associated with numbness. In addition, dandruff can form due to the general drying of the skin. Sweating is also often greatly increased. In addition, muscle cramps, tension and nerve irritation often occur. Furthermore, the complaints additionally lead to sleep disturbances. Since the real Burning Feet Syndrome is a vitamin deficiency disease, it hardly occurs today in industrialized countries due to sufficient nutrition. However, substitution therapy with pantothenic acid is usually no longer sufficient to completely cure the disease and relieve the pain when the syndrome is present. The pain becomes chronic because the nerve fibers are often already damaged by the deficiency symptoms and the resulting undersupply of oxygen to the tissue. However, there are rare cases where there has also been a complete recovery. Burning feet can also occur in other diseases. Here it is not the real burning feet syndrome, but the destruction of the nerve fibers is also due to an oxygen deficiency caused by circulatory disorders. However, in this case, the burning feet are merely a symptom of an underlying disease.
Diagnosis and course
Burning foot syndrome becomes medically relevant when it occurs primarily at night and is manifested by an extremely painful burning sensation that can be relieved with cold treatments. Other accompanying symptoms are manifested, for example, by flaky skin, whereby the skin loses its moisture and slowly dries out, as well as increased perspiration or muscle cramps, sleep disturbances and tension. The origin of burning-feet syndrome has not yet been fully elucidated, so a clear diagnosis is not easy. Ongoing investigations have also shown that there is an oxygen deficiency in the affected tissue as a result of disturbed or reduced blood flow and that nerve fibers are also affected. A possible trigger for this can be various metabolic disorders as well as malnutrition.A medical determination of the burning feet syndrome should be made in order to exclude other diseases (differential diagnosis), which show similar characteristics. For example, burning feet, in conjunction with movements that can hardly be performed (or in the case of extreme pain), can cause deep-seated leg vein thrombosis. In individuals with gout disease, this sensation is specifically manifested in the big toe. Polyneuropathy involves nerve sensation disorders, the cause of which may be diabetes mellitus (diabetes).
Complications
Burning feet syndrome is manifested by very unpleasant sensations and pain in the feet. The burning pain and itching cause extremely severe limitations in the patient’s daily life. He usually can no longer move freely without experiencing pain. This not only affects social life, but also the workplace. The quality of life is greatly reduced by burning foot syndrome. Often, in addition to numbness and redness, psychological problems and depression occur. Patients withdraw and no longer participate in social life. Sleep disturbances can also occur here, leading to reduced concentration and an aggressive basic attitude in the patient. As a rule, burning-feet syndrome can be treated relatively well, so that there are no further complications or complaints after the course of the disease. However, the therapy itself can take several weeks, and the pain and symptoms can be treated temporarily with the help of painkillers. Burning Feet Syndrome can reappear at any time if the body is not supplied with certain minerals or vitamins and acids at a high enough level.
When should you see a doctor?
For feet that tingle or burn, especially at night, if this painful sensation occurs more than once, a doctor should always be consulted. The causes are varied, often difficult for the layperson to recognize and sometimes serious. If the nocturnal discomfort is only mild, preferably while waiting for a specialist’s appointment, the patient can first try taking capsules or foods containing vitamin B12, such as those found in animal products, sauerkraut, beer and algae, and also pay attention to his mineral intake of magnesium. Particularly much of this trace element is contained in nuts, seeds and in dark chocolate. After the referral by the family doctor, a visit to a neurologist, diabetologist and a doctor for internal medicine is usually unavoidable, especially if metabolic disorders such as excessive sweating, flaking skin or muscle tension are added. Often it is a case of damage to the nerves (polyneuropathy) caused by a lack of oxygen, as can occur in both alcohol abuse and diabetic nerve damage. Since “burning-feet syndrome” also occurs in hypertension or in rest-legs syndrome (“restless legs syndrome“), this comprehensive diagnosis by various specialists is necessary.
Treatment and therapy
In order to clarify the Burning Feet Syndrome by specialists as well as to start a treatment, there are different imaging methods available, such as scintigraphy, or devices for testing vascular and nerve problems, such as the measurement of nerve conduction velocity. Mostly, however, a detailed description by the affected person about burning feet when exposed to heat and relief when exposed to cold is sufficient to put the doctor on the right track. Due to the unexplained origin, a treatment is based on two different ways, the general as well as the special therapy. As an immediate measure, cooling can provide relief from burning feet. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be compensated orally or also by infusion. Acute pain can be alleviated specifically by anticonvulsants (antispasmodic). In addition, acupressure and acupuncture provide significant relief. Direct pain treatment is usually provided by a local anesthetic. This can be administered as an outpatient or during the hospital stay by continuous infusion for about two weeks. In addition, permanent anesthesia or anesthesia given at specific intervals may be necessary to control the symptoms of burning feet.
Outlook and prognosis
Burning feet are most often caused by significant circulatory problems, so an accurate outlook and prognosis depends on the exact cause. In many cases, an existing burning sensation in the feet is caused by excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs. The vessels constrict and the blood cannot circulate properly. If in such a case no medical or drug treatment is given, then in the worst case permanent consequential damage can occur. The tissue in the feet is no longer supplied with blood properly, so that it may die. The affected foot turns bluish and numbness develops. If medical treatment is still not received for these symptoms, then the affected foot must be amputated. However, if a doctor is consulted at the first burning sensation in the foot, then the prospect and prognosis for a complete recovery looks very good. With the help of medications that promote blood circulation, a quick and targeted improvement can be achieved. However, the cause of the burning feet should of course also be eliminated, otherwise a permanent cure will not be possible. Only medication and medical treatment can positively influence the prospect and prognosis of a quick cure.
Prevention
For the prevention of burning feet syndrome, every person should take care of the sufficient supply of minerals, vitamin group B and pantothenic acid. This is responsible within the body for various processes such as growth and reproduction, and in general for healthy physiological functions. In this regard, dietary supplements are an essential support.
Aftercare
Burning feet can occur due to many different causes. Frequently, the complaints occur in a group of people aged 50 years and older. Due to circulatory disorders, there may be an unpleasant burning sensation that can only be eliminated by appropriate treatment. In most cases, burning feet are due to a certain vitamin deficiency. If the cause is known, appropriate treatment can be initiated. However, aftercare for burning feet is just as important as the treatment itself. Subsequent visits to the doctor should be adhered to, as a recurrence of the condition can be prevented at an early stage. If affected individuals also forgo follow-up visits of this nature, then there is a risk of recurrence of the disease. Various complications can occur, which in the worst case can lead to permanent consequential damage. Anyone who suffers from burning feet should continue to attend follow-up examinations even after the condition has healed. Only regular check-ups can ensure a complete cure or permanent healing. If an affected person does not take aftercare measures, then a return of the respective symptoms is to be expected. In addition, an appropriate physician can give advice so that measures can be taken for prevention.
What you can do yourself
Against acute discomfort, ice cubes, cold foot baths and cooling foot sprays and lotions from the pharmacy or drugstore help. If the Burning Feet Syndrome is triggered by a lack of vitamins and minerals, naturopathy advises a change in diet and the use of certain dietary supplements. Psyllium and nettle seeds, which are said to be particularly rich in micronutrients, are recommended. Nettle seeds are available in herbal specialty stores and pharmacies with a large assortment of medicinal herbs. They can be used like a spice in the preparation of dishes and salad dressings. Psyllium seeds can be found in any organic supermarket. They are usually stirred into muesli or yogurt. Regular consumption of brewer’s yeast, which is rich in B-group vitamins, is also recommended. Brewer’s yeast is available in tablet or flake form. Provided that the burning feet are due to a restriction or temporary interruption of blood flow to the limbs, sufferers should definitely pay attention to their posture. During a sedentary activity, the legs should not be constantly crossed and the feet should rest with the soles on the floor. In addition, it is essential to wear comfortable footwear made of low-irritant materials that are appropriate for the temperature.Occasional barefoot walking can be helpful, but regular, persistent wearing of high-heeled shoes is counterproductive.
