There are many who complain that they feel like their feet are on fire. Sometimes, the burn would only last for a few minutes but on other days, the burn would go halfway up the calves.
There are several causes behind a burning sensation in the feet. It could be as simple as the feet warming up after being too cold or it could be as complicated as diabetic neuropathy. So, let’s find out why your feet are on fire.
Nutritional Deficiency
Humans today like to choose food by putting them into categories like taste and visual; they forget that fruits and vegetables are the best sources of nutrition for the body. Vitamins, for example, are essential organic compounds that the human body cannot synthesize. If you are always eating a proper, nutritious diet, the vitamins you are consuming will act as catalysts in the metabolic process, but a lack of vitamins in the diet can lead to several disorders/diseases.
Usually, your body is programmed to detect and signal a vitamin deficiency, but it’s up to you to recognize it and start acting on it. When you are missing vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 in your diet, there is a high possibility of feeling a burning sensation in your feet.
Anemia
A red blood cell (RBCs) is a type of blood cell that produces a protein called hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to all different parts of the body. Anemia is a blood disorder in which the red blood cells are lower than normal. This disease is very common in Asian countries because of poverty, poor dietary intake and unhealthy lifestyle.
Common symptoms of anemia include fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, yellowish skin, irregular heartbeats as well as a burning sensation in the feet.
Heavy Alcohol Use
With their constant portrayal of glamorous people having parties and enjoying themselves with liquor, the alcohol industry seems to be luring more and more people. However, one cannot also overlook the increase in alcohol use disorders. According to a recent report, more than 14 million people have an alcohol use disorder in the US alone. The misuse of alcohol carries a significant number of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe and one of them includes a burning sensation in the feet.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea padis, is a contagious fungal skin infection that usually starts affecting the toes. This condition is quite common in people who sweat a lot or those who always wear tight-fitting shoes. In general, the symptoms include an itchy rash and cracked skin, as well as a burning or tingling sensation in the feet.
Kidney Disease
Kidneys are one of the most vital organs of the human body because they perform many functions in order to keep the body healthy and well-functioning; they work all the time and they never rest. But, once they fall ill, they can lose their functionality partially or completely. There are many causes of kidney failure like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, lupus and so on and the most feared kidney problem is chronic glomerulonephritis.
When a person suffers from a kidney disease, he/she is most likely to experience a burning sensation in the feet, along with nausea, confusion, fatigue and seizures.
Hypothyroidism
There is a small and butterfly-shaped gland that’s located at the front of your neck and this is called the thyroid. Hypothyroidism is a condition where thyroid hormones are not produced enough by the thyroid gland and these low levels of thyroid hormones will lead to a low metabolic rate, which can eventually increase your weight and make you feel easily and quickly tired. The chances of having this health problem increase with age and studies have found that the chances are much higher in women.
Besides tiredness, weight gain, depression, muscle cramps and constipation, another symptom of hypothyroidism is a burning or tingling sensation in the feet.
