Why is Burning Feet a Symptom of Diabetes?

Diabetes has now become a popular condition in a person that affects the different parts of the body, including the feet. When you have been affected by diabetes for a long time, the foot problems that come along are inevitable. Foot burn is common among people with diabetes, and this often serves as a warning sign. For people with diabetes, it’s essential to understand why foot burning problems occur, what signs to look out for, and when to get medical advice. If the problem is not identified at the right time and given proper medical attention, it may take you down a rough path and leave you with a foot amputation. Let’s get into why burning feet are linked to diabetes and how you can manage this condition.

Why Does Diabetes Affect the Feet?

When diabetes is not managed well, high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the whole body. Over time, this can lead to a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which is a type of nerve damage most commonly affecting the feet and legs in a person with diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy reduces the ability of the nerves to send signals, resulting in sensations like burning, tingling, numbness, or pain.

Additionally, poor blood circulation is a common problem among people with diabetes. When circulation is reduced, the feet do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which can cause discomfort, delay healing, and make the feet more vulnerable to infections and injuries. Together, these factors contribute to the foot burning problem that many diabetic patients feel in their feet.

What Causes Burning Feet?

Foot burning problem in technical terms is called as burning feet syndrome. It is quiet common in places like India, where thousands of people go through this syndrome every day. Here are some of the most common causes, that might include:

1. Diabetes and Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

Diabetes is a common health condition among people. It is said that people who have had diabetes for a long time are more vulnerable to this condition of diabetic neuropathy. High sugar levels in blood is the main reason behind this condition. This ultimately reduces blood circulation and makes it hard for the blood to reach your foot and causes nerve damage. 

You may get:

• Numbness of foot
• Tingling sensation
• Foot burning problem
• A lot of foot-related conditions

2. Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies are another reason for people having foot burning problems. These deficiencies can affect the function of nerves and create damage, which results in burning feet. India stands as a top country that has a high percentage of burning feet cases. Research predicts that this condition may be a result of poor dietary habits and a low economy. 

3. Alcohol Damage

Being addicted to alcohol affects your nerves and is a reason due to which you have for a burning sensation in the feet. This condition is also called alcoholic neuropathy. 

4. Infections and Skin Conditions

Fungal infections like an athlete’s foot can cause a burning sensation in your feet. It can possibly spread if you don’t give them proper care. Being hygienic is very important when you have fungal infections. 

5. Nerve Compression or Injury

Accidnets happens and injuries cannot be avoided. Injuries are a very common reason for getting foot-burning problems. When you get in an accident or an injury to your feet, it can lead to pain and cause discomfort.

6. Hypothyroidism

Burning feet symptoms are often reversed when oral thyroid hormone raises low thyroid levels. 

What Are the Foot Problems That Occur with Diabetes?

Diabetes can cause a range of foot problems, and burning feet is often one of the first signs that something is wrong. Here are some common foot issues that people with diabetes might experience:

• Diabetic Neuropathy: As mentioned earlier, this is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. It can result in various sensations like burning, tingling, or numbness in the feet.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Poor blood flow to the feet can lead to pain, infections, and slower healing of wounds.
• Foot Ulcers: Open sores or ulcers can develop on the feet due to minor injuries that don’t heal properly. These have the potential to become infected and cause more serious issues.
• Infections: Cuts, blisters, or wounds can easily get infected in people with diabetes because their body’s ability to fight infections is weakened.
• Foot Deformities: Over time, poor foot health can lead to changes in foot shape, like hammertoes or bunions.

What Are the Signs and Warnings of a Foot Burning Problem?

If you have diabetes and start experiencing a burning sensation in your feet, it’s important to pay attention to the signs your body is giving you and receive proper foot-burning treatment. Burning feet can be a warning that nerve damage is occurring or that circulation is not adequate. Some signs that may indicate a more serious issue include:

• Persistent burning, tingling, or numbness: These symptoms could indicate diabetic neuropathy.
• Sharp pain or cramps in the feet or legs: This may be a sign of circulation issues, like peripheral artery disease.
• Loss of sensation in the feet: Numbness or an inability to feel temperature changes could be a sign of nerve damage.
• Open sores, blisters, or ulcers that don’t heal: These could lead to serious infections if not treated and might even end up in amputation.
• Skin changes: The skin on your feet may become dry, cracked, or discolored due to poor blood flow.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to take action and see a diabetes doctor

What are the Relief Factors?

The Reason: Every problem has a reason and a solution. When you find a problem, try to identify the reason without predicting it. A doctor could help you diagnose it by asking you questions, analyzing it, conducting blood tests, and nerve tests.

Improve the Circulation of Blood: While looking at the cause, the majority stays with poor circulation of blood, which is causing your foot pain. You can walk a bit or do some exercise without sitting ideally for a long time in a place. And even while sitting and resting, it is advisable to keep your feet on a stool.

Comfortable Shoes: Normal footwear can just protect your feet but it won’t help you cure the problem. Sometimes they put unnecessary pressure on your feet, leading to burning pain. So choose shoes that give you support with a proper arch and cushioned insole and that are not too tight.

Supplements: Vitamin B12 supplements can help you feel less pain and get your nerves functioning normally again. But kindly check with the doctor before you take supplements. 

Home Remedies: Some home remedies can provide quick relief from burning foot pain:

• Soak your feet in cold water: Soak your feet in cool (not cold ) water for 15 minutes. It will help you feel relieved from the pain temporarily. The cool air from a fan could also be helpful.
• Foot massage: A foot massage can help you to ease the burning sensation. 
• Pain relief creams: The pain in your feet can be reduced with creams that contain lidocaine or capsaicin. Make sure you check with your doctor before using.

Medical Treatments: If home remedies don’t work, medical treatments might help you:

• Physical Therapy 
• Medications
• Customized Footwear
• Injections

When to Visit a Doctor

It’s important to see the best doctor for diabetes if you experience burning feet or other foot problems related to diabetes. If these symptoms are ignored, they may develop into more severe issues like infections, ulcers, or in extreme situations, amputation. Getting regular foot exams from a diabetes doctor can help identify issues early on and stop them from getting worse.

If you have diabetes and start feeling any unusual sensations in your feet, make an appointment with a specialist. A doctor can run tests to assess your nerve function, circulation, and overall foot health, providing personalized foot burning treatment options to manage the condition.

Dr. Durai and Foot Care for Diabetics

For those living with diabetes, Dr. Durai’s Clinic offers expert diabetic foot care solutions. Dr. Durai and his team focus on helping patients prevent and manage foot issues through regular checkups, custom-made footwear, and personalized care plans. Whether you’re experiencing burning feet or other symptoms, the clinic provides personalized solutions to help you maintain foot health and prevent complications. Dr. Durai’s Clinic offers customized footwear options designed to relieve pressure and improve comfort for people with diabetes. For people with neuropathy or circulation problems, this can be especially helpful. By investing in proper diabetic foot care and footwear, you can reduce the risk of foot problems and enjoy a better quality of life.