Burning on the soles of your feet can be caused by nerve damage, diabetes, athlete’s foot, or vitamin deficiency. See a doctor if it persists.
Common causes
- Peripheral neuropathy.
- Diabetes.
- Athlete’s foot.
- Vitamin B deficiency.
- Alcohol use.
- Kidney disease.
- Chemotherapy.
Home care
Cool soaks, elevate feet and wear breathable shoes.
See a doctor
If burning is persistent, worsens at night, or comes with numbness.
Diabetes
Foot nerve damage affects up to 50% of people with diabetes.
Plantar causes
- Plantar fasciitis: stabbing or burning pain in the heel and arch, worst in the morning.
- Morton’s neuroma: burning or tingling between the third and fourth toes, like standing on a pebble.
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome: nerve compression at the inside ankle with burning in the sole.
- Metatarsalgia: pain in the ball of the foot.
- Athlete’s foot with burning and itching.
- Stress fracture.
Nerve causes
Peripheral neuropathy from diabetes (about half of diabetics eventually develop it), alcohol, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, chemotherapy or kidney disease. Burning that is worse at night is typical.
Circulation
Peripheral artery disease, causing burning with walking or rest.
Other causes
Heat, tight shoes, thin soles, hard surfaces, burning feet syndrome and erythromelalgia.
Home care
- Rest, elevate and cool the feet with a cool soak.
- Wear cushioned shoes with arch support.
- Use orthotic insoles.
- Stretch calves and plantar fascia.
- Avoid walking barefoot on hot or hard surfaces.
- Keep feet dry and clean.
- Over the counter NSAIDs.
- Check the feet daily if you have diabetes.
Medication for neuropathy
Prescription options: gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine and topical capsaicin or lidocaine.
See a doctor if
Burning is constant, spreads, comes with numbness, color change, swelling, wounds or fever. People with diabetes should get a foot exam every year. Seek urgent care for sudden coldness, pale or blue skin, or a foot sore that does not heal.
Foot causes
Burning on the sole can come from plantar fasciitis, athlete’s foot, nerve entrapment such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, neuropathy or tight shoes. Plantar fasciitis affects about 2 million people in the US each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and usually causes heel pain after rest.
What to do
Check blood sugar and B12 levels if burning is persistent. Wear supportive shoes, use cool soaks, apply antifungal creams for scaling, and consider orthotics. For neuropathy, doctors can prescribe nerve pain medication. Seek care if there is numbness, ulcers, color changes or if you have diabetes.
Based on data from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the CDC
