Why Are Your Feet Burning from Diabetes?

Do you have a burning sensation in your feet? While prolonged standing can lead to temporary burning feet symptoms, consistent burning signals a more serious condition. Burning feet can be the result of a deterioration of the peripheral nerves from diabetes.

There can be other medical causes of burning feet, such as kidney disease, Morton’s neuroma, Tarsal tunnel syndrome, and contact dermatitis. However, decades of high glucose levels can lead to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) estimates about one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy.[1]

When peripheral nerve cells, called neurons, become damaged or destroyed, neuropathy disrupts the way they communicate with each other and the brain. The nerves in the legs and feet are particularly susceptible, often resulting in burning feet symptoms as well as tingling, numbness, or sharp, stabbing pain in the feet and legs. Peripheral neuropathy may affect hands and arms, too. Other symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy are sensitivity to touch and muscle weakness.

Burning feet, in fact, may be an early warning sign of diabetic neuropathy even before diabetes is diagnosed. In addition to those who have diabetes, a considerable number of people are prediabetic, which means they have a higher-than-normal blood sugar level.

Since peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, if you have diabetes, you might not feel a foot injury, cut or even a blister that could result in an ulcer. Foot ulcers are a considerable problem for people with diabetes, often leading to hospitalization.

How to treat diabetic burning feet

Most burning feet sensation treatments focus on preventing further nerve damage and reducing pain since there is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy. There are medications that can relieve diabetic neuropathy pain, but they do have side effects, so they are not for every patient. Antidepressants sometimes provide relief for mild to moderate symptoms. Also, anti-seizure medication has helped to reduce foot pain, but side effects may be dizziness, swelling or drowsiness. A lidocaine patch, which is a topical anesthetic treatment with few side effects, is another viable option. Opioids are prescribed in severe cases, but there is a risk of addiction. [2]

Healthy eating to prevent or delay nerve damage

To prevent diabetic neuropathy and keep blood sugars in their target range starts with healthy eating, according to the NIDDK.[3]  Healthy meal plans for people who have diabetes may include:

• dairy or plant-based dairy products
• fruits
• non-starchy vegetables
• protein foods
• whole grains

Try to choose foods that include nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, fiber, and healthy fats, including:

• oils that are liquid at room temperature, such as canola and olive oil
• nuts and seeds
• heart-healthy fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines

Plan meals and snacks that have fewer foods that are high in saturated fats and sodium. Eat fewer sugary foods and choose drinks with little or no added sugar.  This means cutting down on cakes and cookies and sweet drinks, such as soda, juice, flavored coffee, and sports drinks.  Choose instead tap or bottled water, low-fat or non-fat milk, and unsweetened tea, coffee, or sparkling water.

Control peripheral neuropathy

In addition to eating healthy to keep blood sugars in the target range, take diligent care of your feet if you have peripheral neuropathy:

Check your feet daily for problems:

·         dry and cracked skin

·         blisters or sores

·         bruises or cuts

·         redness, warmth, or tenderness (often absent because of nerve damage)

·         firm or hard spots

·         trim toenails properly straight across and smooth the nails with a nail file after trimming

Get special footwear: Structurally, diabetic shoes prevent pressure on the feet. A wider toe width or “toe box” gives toes more room to move to help prevent blisters and hot spots that can develop when toes rub against each other or against the shoe. Diabetic shoes also may have extra depth for a pressure-free fit. Also wear cotton socks and change them daily.

Exercise carefully: If you are suffering from diabetic foot symptoms, be sure to do the right exercises that will not increase the risk of injury. Feet-friendly exercises include walking, swimming and even bike riding. You also want to keep the blood flowing in your feet. Several times a day, when you are sitting put your feet up, wiggle your toes and move your ankles. Avoid crossing your legs for prolonged periods of time. [4]

Stop smoking: Smoking is linked to low oxygen in the blood, so that tissues like blood vessels and nerves may not get enough oxygen either. Smoking also creates free radicals that can damage cells and harm the lining of blood vessels, making it more difficult to control blood sugar and cause inflammation. All of these can lead to diabetic peripheral neuropathy or make it worse.[5]

Prevent dry skin: To keep feet from getting dry and cracked, which can lead to infections, consider products such as EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream. It is an over the counter (OTC) offering that uniquely features active Zinc Acetate to relieve and protect dry, cracked skin associated with diabetes. EASE-Z Diabetics’ Dry Skin Therapy Foot Cream covers feet with a thick protective layer that penetrates to provide r