Burning feet

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When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic staff

Seek emergency medical care if:

  • The burning sensation in your feet came on suddenly, particularly if you may have been exposed to some type of toxin
  • An open wound on your foot appears to be infected, especially if you have diabetes

Schedule an office visit if you:

  • Continue to experience burning feet, despite several weeks of self-care
  • Notice that the symptom is becoming more intense and painful
  • Feel the burning sensation has started to spread up into your legs
  • Start losing the feeling in your toes or feet

Self-care

  • Rest and elevate your feet
  • Switch to more comfortable shoes
  • Bathe your feet in cool water
References
  1. Rutkove SB. Overview of polyneuropathy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  2. Nutritional deficiencies and syndromes associated with alcoholism: Other nutritional syndromes. In Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/112186126-5/778377417/1488/346.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3618-0..10040-2--s0270_3294. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  3. Athlete's foot. American Podiatric Medical Association. http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=371&DID=9386. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  4. Characteristics and symptoms of CMT. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/about_cmt/symptoms.php. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  5. Complex regional pain syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/detail_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  6. Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  7. Berger JR, et al. Neurological complications of human immunodeficiency virus infection. In: Goldman L. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/112186126-9/778412241/1492/1400.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50422-5--cesec13_17551. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  8. Arieff AI. Neurological aspects of kidney disease. In: Brenner BM, et al. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/112299674-3/778707682/1583/54.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3105-5..50053-0--cesec5_3606. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  9. Morton's neuroma. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/mortons-neuroma.htm. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  10. High blood pressure. American Podiatric Medical Association. http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=371&DID=9410. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  11. Tarsal tunnel syndrome. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  12. Cruse RP. Overview of acquired peripheral neuropathies in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  13. McCulloch DK. Management of diabetic foot lesions. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  14. Horowitz SH. The diagnostic workup of patients with neuropathic pain. Anesthesiology Clinics. 2007; 25:699.

MY00409

Jan. 17, 2009

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