Burning feet and hands is one of the health problems that is generally experienced at an older age. However, it can also affect youngsters due to alcohol abuse. To know more about treatment for burning feet, read on…
Burning feet and hands refers to the tingling or burning sensation that can be quite painful, especially during nighttime. Also referred to as hot feet and hands, this syndrome can affect anyone. But people more than 45-50 years old are more prone to this debilitating condition. However, in most cases, this unusual feeling in the feet and hands is temporary, and as such, does not require any medical intervention.
Performing a strenuous physical activity for prolonged periods of time can trigger these painful sensations. Other causes, that can bring this strange feeling in the hands and feet are given below.
Nerve Damage: Injury to the nerves that is more common among diabetic patients is one of the possible reasons behind burning feet and hands. Peripheral neuropathy, regarded as a complication in diabetes, causes nerve damage and may lead to numbness, tingling, or weakness in feet and hands.
Vitamin Deficiency: It is observed that people following a diet low in vitamins, often complain about burning feeling in the feet and hands. People diagnosed with vitamin B deficiency, more specifically vitamin B1, B5, B6, and B12 are bound to suffer from burning feet syndrome.
Alcohol Abuse: Excess alcohol consumption can also bring about pain in the hands and feet. Abstaining or drinking alcohol in moderate amounts is a remedy to get rid of this problem.
Hypothyroidism: A thyroid disease such as hypothyroidism can also trigger this unusual feeling in the feet and hands. In this condition, thyroid glands are unable to produce sufficient amount of hormones, necessary for normal functioning of the body. When hypothyroidism is left untreated, it is likely to cause joint pain and burning sensation in the feet and hands.
Kidney Dysfunction: With kidneys not working properly, one is bound to urinate frequently and experience unreasonable thirst. However, did you know that kidney problems could actually trigger burning sensation in the hands and feet. In other words, this unusual painful feeling in the feet may indicate renal insufficiency. Uremia, a chronic kidney disease in which there is buildup of toxic matter in the blood can cause burning feet syndrome. The main task of the kidneys is to purify blood by separating waste products from the bloodstream and then eliminating them in the form of urine. However, if this is not happening, it can lead to accumulation of toxins in the body, eventually causing pain in the hands and feet.
Liver Problems: Liver dysfunction can cause a number of symptoms but the initial ones that occur when the condition is still in its infancy, are tingling feet and hands. Liver does an important job of detoxifying the body by removing the impurities from the blood. However, in case the liver has become ineffective in cleansing the body, the hands and feet may itch terribly and are accompanied by burning pain.
Athlete’s Foot: This is a fungal infection that typically affects the skin in between the toes and the heels. Apart from stinging pain, the fungus overgrowth can make the skin excessively dry, red, and itchy. Weeping blisters may also appear in the affected area, which later become crusty. Wearing tight shoes, feet remaining wet for long periods of time, and using damp socks are some of the factors that encourage fungal growth on the feet.
Carpal and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: In both these conditions, undue pressure is put on the nerves that supply sensation to the hands and feet. With the compression of the nerves from the surrounding tissues, tingling sensation, similar to a shock is often experienced in the hands and feet.
Menopause: Menopause is a change in a woman’s life in which her periods no longer occur. However, menopause symptoms can cause a great deal of discomfort and manifest as burning sensation in the feet and hands.
Following are some of the common treatment options:
Antifungals: Applying antifungal agents such as miconazole (desenex) and butenafine (lotrimini ultra) that are available in the form of powder is the first line of treatment for athlete’s foot. For severe infection, oral antifungal agents such as fluconazole (Diflucan) are prescribed. Read more on burning feet remedy.
Magnetic Therapy: This form of treatment can work wonders to relieve tiredness in feet. Wearing magnetic insoles is a safe solution to ease the discomfort associated with feet. Magnets possess healing power, which helps to control foot pain. Magnetic shoe inserts can soothe the pain and provide comfort to the tired feet.
Shoes: Wearing ill-fitting shoes can also cause burning sensation in the feet. So, one should choose shoes that are comfortable to wear and provide enough arch support.
On the other hand, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injection, and surgery to reduce the pressure on the compressed nerve are some of the treatment options for carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome. On the whole, limiting alcohol intake and physical activities are some of the home remedies that can help to significantly reduce episodes of burning sensation in the feet and hands. In most cases, pain in hands or feet is not serious, and with few lifestyle modifications such as avoiding strenuous activities, one can surely alleviate these painful conditions.
