It itches, burns and hurts your feet – just in time when you want to fall asleep at night. This phenomenon may be familiar to some. The (justified) whining about hot feet is often not taken seriously and those affected have to suffer in silence. Not for long! Because the phenomenon has a name: Burning Feet Syndrome.
Burning Feet Syndrome (or Grierson-Gopalan Syndrome) causes a range of symptoms in which the feet feel «burning», become uncomfortably hot and itchy. Symptoms appear primarily at night, while some relief occurs during the day. The soles of the feet in particular become hot and tingly, but in severe cases the symptoms can even extend to the lower leg.
Symptoms of Burning Feet Syndrome
As with so many diseases, the symptoms of Burning Feet Syndrome can vary in intensity. While in one person the complaints are only localized on the soles of the feet, in the other the complaints even extend to the lower leg. The symptoms can be:
- uncomfortable heat and burning sensation that worsens at night
- dull, sharp, or stabbing pains in the feet
- Skin redness and excessive heat
- tingling or prickling, like “pin-pricks”
- feeling of heaviness in the feet
It is not uncommon for those affected to lose their night’s sleep because of the tingling and the pain. The symptoms are especially annoying when you fall asleep.
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What are possible causes?
Unfortunately, the triggers of the syndrome are diverse and difficult to identify. They range from serious neuronal disorders to a simple nutrient deficiency.
Nerve damage or entrapment
Nerve damage or entrapment can be triggered by diseases and external stimuli. They can result from illness, injury, surgery, chemotherapy or medication, or even exposure to toxins.
- peripheral neuropathy is the most common cause of burning feet. It develops when the peripheral sensory nerves that connect the spinal cord to the nerves are damaged. The risk of developing peripheral neuropathy is higher with long-undiagnosed diabetes and poorly controlled blood sugar levels. In addition, hereditary and autoimmune diseases, alcohol abuse, infections and an unbalanced diet (e.g. vitamin B deficiency) can also trigger peripheral neuropathy.
- A Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome can also be the reason for burning feet or burning feet syndrome. The tibial nerve, the so-called «shinbone nerve», runs through the tarsal tunnel, which is located on the inside of the ankle joint. When this nerve is pinched or pinched, it can cause pain and tingling in the foot. The symptoms can sometimes extend up to the calves.
- That too Morton’s neuroma–syndrome can cause burning feet or Burning Feet Syndrome, where the metatarsal nerve becomes thickened by improper footwear, misalignment, or overuse, causing pain in the metatarsal.1
- There are also very rare causes of burning, aching feet. This falls under this complex regional pain syndromeas well as the hereditary disease Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndromein which muscles and nerves of the extremities are affected.
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Metabolic or endocrine disorders
- diabetes mellitus Type 1 and type 2 can affect and damage the peripheral nerves, particularly the sensory nerves of the feet and legs. A permanently high blood sugar level can also impair the transmission of nerve signals.
- symptoms of a hypothyroidism can include pain and a burning sensation in the feet.
infections
- athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) not only makes your feet unattractive, but can also cause burning feet syndrome and rob you of sleep due to burning feet. The fungus likes to settle in warm and humid areas of the foot in particular. Symptoms range from itching to stabbing pain.2
- Other infections such as viruses (e.g. HIV/AIDS) and other pathogens can cause similar symptoms.
Other possible reasons
- For the very rare occurrence of vascular disease erythromelalgia there is redness, pain and increased temperature in the limbs.
- Shoes that are too tight can also lead to symptoms similar to Burning Feet Syndrome.
- Also can allergies, stress through injuries or contact with chemicals cause burning feet
- Other diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis, zinc deficiency or chronic kidney failure (requiring dialysis) may be associated with Burning Feet Syndrome.
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What treatment options are there?
Depending on the cause, different treatment approaches are required. Under the supervision of a doctor, medication or insoles may be prescribed, physiotherapy prescribed or a sports and nutrition plan developed. In cases where medication or treatment is not working, orthopedic surgery may be needed.
Short-term help with hot feet
If the symptoms are driving you through the night or your mind, you can remedy the situation with a few tips and tricks. It helps if you:
- cooling the feet with cold water for a few minutes,
- avoid further exposure to heat,
- takes off socks and shoes,
- feet and legs up,
- is taking anti-inflammatory, non-prescription medications such as ibuprofen for pain
- feet massaged with cooling lotions.
Since the symptoms can be caused by serious illnesses, you should always consult a doctor if they occur regularly and severely.3
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Conclusion
Everyone can well imagine that burning, hot and itchy feet as a symptom of burning foot syndrome can drive you crazy, especially when trying to sleep. Even if the first tips and tricks offer short-term help, a treatment path must be taken based on the underlying cause that will free you from the symptoms for a long time. As is so often the case, this only works by going to the doctor, who will hopefully clear up the hot feet with a physical examination, blood test or nerve test.