Burning feet syndrome: what is it and what is it caused by?

Burning feet syndrome Grierson-Gopalan It’s a night torture. Punctures that reach the ankles, tingling and even burning as if we were walking on a red-hot surface. This alteration can become exasperating for those who suffer from it day after day.

Although it can be confused by other conditions, such as Restless legs syndromesince it also appears at night and greatly limits the quality of life, these are small nuances that make hot feet syndrome a particular reality.

Read on to discover more details about this type of alteration.

Burning feet syndrome: symptoms, causes and treatment

Burning feet syndrome can appear episodically. That is to say, there will be times when this discomfort is more intense and others when it simply disappears. Despite this, there is great variability in the symptoms, because although it may surprise us, there are many causes that can cause it.

So, It is important to note that this condition rarely appears alone. It usually occurs with other problems such as thyroid disorders, joint pain, and general weakness. However, it is common to go to the doctor for this problem given its discomfort and the impact it has on your night’s rest.

What are the symptoms?

According to the International Journal of AYUSH Case Reports, the main symptom is burning and a feeling of heaviness that rises from the soles of the feet to the calves. Even due to the increase in temperature, the person experiences general feeling of heat. Many people are even forced to immerse themselves in cold water to find rest..

Because of the above, burning feet syndrome also causes redness of the skineither on the sole, on the heel or on the entire lower extremity.

The classic tingling sensation appears in turn. Sometimes, the person may feel intense and sudden pricks, something that abruptly and unexpectedly interrupts sleep at night.

What are the causes of burning feet syndrome?

In most cases, The origin of this syndrome is neuropathy, that is, it is due to an alteration of small nerve fibers. As a consequence, they act by sending pain signals to the feet. It is a condition that comes and goes and affects the elderly, women and cyclists to a greater extent.

Among other causes you can also find the following:

Deficiency in vitamin B12. The lack of this element can lead to problems in the nervous system. The first symptoms are a tingling and burning sensation in the arms and legs.
hereditary factor. According to a study carried out by the Department of Neurology at the University of Münster (Germany), it is known that Burning feet syndrome is an autosomal trait, meaning it is inherited. If someone in our family suffers from it, we are also at risk of suffering from it. Metatarsalgia or compression of the metatarsal nerves of the feet is another cause. In this case, it is a common alteration in cyclists.
Thyroid alterations. Burning feet syndrome is usually a common symptom in people with hypothyroidism.
Deficiency in nutritional absorption. If the person suffers from an intestinal problem or suffers from alcoholism, it will cause this condition to appear.
Mellitus diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can affect the peripheral nerves of the body and specifically those in the feet and legs. The origin would be in the high level of glucose and how it alters both the transmission of signals between the nerves and the resistance of the blood vessels.
Erythromelalgia. It consists of a dilation of the small arteries in the feet, which causes pain and an increase in skin temperature.
Gitelman syndrome. This pathology is associated with low levels of magnesium and potassium, and in some patients it manifests itself with an increase in temperature in some areas of the body such as the feet. It has also been associated with other pathologies such as: rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral arterial disease, trauma or in patients on hemodialysis.

How is it diagnosed?

As we can see, burning feet syndrome can have several triggers. That is why it becomes essential to diagnose it to trace the origin and thus be able to find the most appropriate treatment. In this way, we proceed to Perform the following diagnostic tests.

Physical exploration. The doctor will proceed to explore the affected area to find out if there is swelling, any joint problems, any type of allergic reaction, etc.
A blood test. Necessary to measure glucose level, possible vitamin B12 deficiencies, thyroid problems, etc.
Nerve function tests may also be requested., like an electromyography. With it the electrical activity of our muscles is measured. If burning feet syndrome is suspected to be related to nutrient malabsorption, tests such as: an endoscopy or abdominal ultrasoundin addition to blood and stool tests.

What treatments exist?

The intervention associated with burning feet syndrome will always depend on the trigger. that mediates this medical condition. Now, there are some basic guidelines that can be useful in many cases when seeking treatment. Several are described below:

Pharmacological approach. The gabapentin It is one of the most effective resources when acting on neuropathic pain. Likewise, anti-inflammatories can also be used.
Receive vitamin supplements It is another successful strategy in many cases. Vitamin B12 usually gives good results.
Cold water baths. Soaking your feet in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes can be relaxing before going to bed.
Anti-inflammatories or local infiltrations with corticosteroids. They are usually prescribed when the cause is inflammation of the nerve that causes compression.
Footwear. Those affected are recommended to wear open, comfortable shoes, as well as cotton socks to avoid discomfort.

A common but little-studied syndrome

Although it is a very common discomfort among people, there is not a large amount of recent research that studies this syndrome in depth. It is important that In all cases, an appropriate medical diagnosis is always sought.since this condition may be just the tip of an iceberg that we have to urgently address.

Before resorting to some of the aforementioned treatments, even the most innocent one (such as wearing appropriate footwear), Let’s always consult the doctor.

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