Why are the legs burning? Ways to solve the problem
A burning sensation in the legs is a pathological symptom that can indicate various diseases and disorders in the body. Moreover, they are far from always associated with the lower limbs.
Content:
Feet are burning: what is the reason?
- Allergies as a cause of burning feet
- Varicose veins
- Foot fungus
- Diabetes
- Obliterating endarteritis
- Thrombophlebitis
- Atherosclerosis
- Gout
- Vegeto-vascular dystonia
- Heat in the legs during pregnancy
Feet are burning: what is the reason?
Feet may burn for the following reasons:
- The lower limbs are affected by the allergen.
- In humans, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, VSD, obliterating endarteritis, that is, a disease of the veins of the lower extremities.
- In humans, dermatological pathologies: the legs are infected with fungus or bacteria.
- A person has flat feet.
- The patient develops diabetes mellitus.
- A patient has gout.
- A person has peripheral neuropathy.
- A person has a deficiency of B vitamins.
- A woman is carrying a child.
Legs can burn for reasons that have no relationship with pathological conditions, for example, after overwork or overexertion.
Sometimes a burning sensation in the lower extremities occurs due to the fact that a person has spent the whole day in tight, uncomfortable shoes. The veins were narrowed, and in the evening they expanded. This leads to a sharp rush of blood to the legs, which can provoke a burning sensation.
Feet can burn from physical or emotional stress, but this situation rarely happens.
If there is a suspicion that the burning sensation in the legs is not associated with the disease, then you can try to get rid of it in the following ways:
- Take a contrast shower or foot bath. To do this, the lower limbs are first poured with warm and then cool water. Do not make the water very hot or very cold. The person should feel comfortable. The procedure should take about 20 minutes. After completing it, it is recommended to apply a menthol moisturizer to your feet.
- You can raise your legs over your head and lie in this position for 10 minutes.
- Apply a moisturizer to your feet, starting at the tips of your toes and going up the path of your feet.
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You can make a bath with herbal decoctions. Chamomile, calendula, hops, wormwood, linden blossom can be used for their preparation. To do this, brew 2 tablespoons of herb in a liter of boiling water and keep the legs in it for 20 minutes.
- To eliminate the feeling of heat in your feet, you can do a few simple exercises, such as flexing and extending your toes. You can twist your feet clockwise and counterclockwise. These activities will normalize blood circulation and get rid of the burning sensation.
- You can crush your foot with your fingers, or use a special massager for this purpose. It is good to use peas, small stones, buckwheat or pebbles for foot massage.
Allergies as a cause of burning feet
If materials or substances that are alien to a person's skin come into contact with them, they can provoke the development of allergies. So, a burning sensation in the lower extremities can be their reactions to shoes or insoles that have poor-quality composition. In this case, discomfort most often develops in the evening, can be supplemented by itching and redness.
Sometimes allergies are triggered by hosiery, cosmetics (self-tanning, lotions, depilatory products). Moreover, cosmetics are not always of low quality, sometimes they simply expire.
To get rid of the problem, you need to eliminate the source of the allergy. If the itching and burning sensation is intense enough, then you will need to apply antihistamine ointments and creams, for example, Elokom, Loridel, Advantan.
Read more: Causes and symptoms of allergies
Varicose veins
With varicose veins, the veins lengthen and widen. Moreover, any vessels that are in the human body can suffer, but varicose veins mainly affect the veins of the lower extremities.
The reasons that can provoke the disease:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Obesity.
- Features of professional activity that force a person to be in a static position for a long time.
- Lower limb injuries.
- Taking hormonal drugs.
Symptoms of varicose veins:
- Swelling of the legs.
- Heaviness in the legs.
- Burning sensation in the legs in the evening and at night.
- The appearance of sock prints on the feet.
- After sleep, the heaviness in the legs disappears.
- Lower limb muscle cramps.
- Swelling of the veins in the legs.
Therapy for varicose veins can be conservative; in severe cases, the help of a surgeon is required. Firstly, it is necessary to eliminate all the reasons that could provoke varicose veins, that is, not to lift weights, not to stand or sit for a whole day, etc. Secondly, it is necessary to start the fight against excess weight and switch to proper nutrition. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be present in the diet, and salty and spicy foods should be removed from it. Constipation is a risk factor that aggravates the course of the disease, so it must be treated.
Compression garments may be indicated in patients with varicose veins. These can be knee-highs, tights or stockings. Some patients need to use them only during physical activity, and some - throughout the entire time.
It is imperative to perform therapeutic gymnastic complexes, you can ski, ride a bike.
Medicinal correction involves taking venotonics: Venitan, Antistax, Phlebodia, Detralex. For topical application, Fastum Gel and Lyoton ointments are used. Be sure to supplement the treatment with the intake of vitamins and minerals.
It is possible to carry out sclerotherapy in which drugs are injected into the vein that clog its lumen. Over time, the vessel is overgrown with healthy tissue. This method helps to solve the problem only at an early stage of the development of the disease.
Laser treatment involves the destruction of altered veins using a laser beam. This method is used when the vein has not expanded by more than 10 mm in diameter.
If none of the above methods can solve the problem, then surgical intervention is necessary. In this case, the patient is bandaged and the diseased veins are removed. The endoscopic method of vein removal has become widespread, which is characterized by low trauma.
Read more: Varicose veins - causes, symptoms and complications
Foot fungus
A fungal infection is often the cause of burning feet. Infection can occur anywhere: in the pool, in the sauna, in the bath. There are many fungi, but the symptoms of the disease are almost always the same.
First, the infection affects the skin between the toes, it begins to peel, redden and itch. As the disease progresses, itching intensifies, cracks appear in the legs, and the skin becomes thickened. Damage to the nail plate is possible. It turns yellow and begins to crumble.
A burning sensation in the legs can occur even before a person has the first symptoms of infection. Many patients indicate that the legs are burning and itchy. Sometimes the infection is latent. A person's nails may thicken, and cracks form on the heels. Mycotic infection is detected only during the examination.
Treatment of fungal infections of the feet should be comprehensive:
- It is necessary to disinfect all objects and things that can retain the spores of the microorganism. This applies to socks, insoles, shoes, towels, scissors, nail files, etc. Formalin with a concentration of 25% is used for disinfection. It is imperative to disinfect the bathroom.
- For topical application, creams and ointments are used, as well as antifungal solutions, for example, Lamisil, Nizoral, etc. They can help in the case when the infection has just begun to develop.
- In a severe course of the disease, systemic administration of drugs is indicated. It can be tablets such as: Itraconazole, Nystatin, Lamisil, Fluconazole, etc.
In order to prevent infection, you need to follow the rules of personal hygiene and keep your shoes clean. Avoid walking barefoot in public. It is imperative to maintain normal immunity, as well as lead a healthy lifestyle.
Read more: Foot fungus - symptoms and treatment
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by a decrease in the production of insulin in the body, or its complete absence in the blood. In parallel, the glucose level rises. The capillaries primarily suffer from its excess, which causes burning sensation in the legs. The patient develops a symptom such as a diabetic foot.
A person begins to experience pain in the lower extremities, which intensifies with prolonged physical exertion. Stitching or aching pain, may be expressed as a burning sensation in the toes or heels. Gradually, it intensifies and begins to bother a person even when he is resting. The lower limbs become pale and the toes turn blue. The neglected form of the disease leads to the death of their tissues and ulceration of the skin of the legs.
In order to prevent the development of complications of diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to constantly maintain blood glucose levels. For this purpose, insulin injections or sugar-burning tablets can be used, for example, Metformin, Maninil, Amaryl. The lower extremities need proper care, which prevents the formation of purulent ulcers and wounds.
People who cannot find the cause of the burning sensation in their legs are advised to donate blood to determine the level of glucose in it.
Read more: Causes, Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus
Obliterating endarteritis
Legs can burn with obliterating endarteritis. This disease is characterized by damage to the arteries of the lower extremities with infectious agents.
The main symptom of the disease is intermittent claudication. At the same time, after short intervals (when walking), a person will have strong cramps in his legs. People complain that their legs seem to be on fire during this period. After rest, this feeling passes, but as soon as the patient goes through several tens of steps, the discomfort and pain return. In addition, the lower extremities become swollen, heavy, and ulcers can form on them.
Treatment is designed to normalize blood flow and strengthen the vascular wall. For this purpose, patients are prescribed drugs that relieve spasm from the arteries. It is necessary to take anticoagulants that thin the blood. Patients are prescribed vitamin complexes, antihistamines. Such physiotherapeutic methods of treatment as barotherapy and diadynamic currents are effective. If conservative treatment does not allow achieving the desired result, then the patient is referred for surgery.
When the affected artery does not exceed 15 cm in length, then it is removed. If the vessel is larger, then an operation is required to replace the artery with an artificial prosthesis. Alternatively, vascular shunting can be performed.
Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is characterized by inflammation of the vascular wall, due to which blood clots settle on it. A thrombus is a blood clot. Most often, the veins of the lower extremities suffer from thrombophlebitis. They hurt, become hot to the touch, and redden.
The following reasons can lead to the development of the disease:
- Infections affecting internal organs.
- Slow blood flow, increased blood clotting.
- Cancer tumors.
- Vascular injury.
- The period of gestation and childbirth.
- Transferred operations.
- Allergic reactions of the body.
The onset of the disease is accompanied by pain in the legs. The skin turns red along the inflamed vein, begins to burn. The overall body temperature rises and the affected leg swells. Then a seal begins to appear on it - this will be a blood clot.
The main directions of treatment:
- The patient needs to move as much as possible. Bed rest is contraindicated.
- In order to eliminate heat in the legs, it is necessary to apply cold to them. This will reduce the pain.
- For treatment, drugs such as Troxevasin, Troxerutin, Rutozid (rutin derivatives) are used. To strengthen the vascular wall, Aescusan is prescribed, to reduce the symptoms of inflammation - Diclofenac or Ketoprofen. In a complex therapy regimen, drugs aimed at thinning blood can be used, including: Trental, Heparin, Reopolyglucin.
Surgical intervention is reduced to the removal of veins that have undergone inflammation and expansion.
Read more: Deep vein thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis of the veins of the lower extremities (leg ischemia) is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the lumen of the vessel. This clot becomes an obstacle to the normal blood supply to the legs, as a result of which they begin to suffer from oxygen starvation. Most often, the disease manifests itself in people over 40. The overwhelming majority of the sick are men.
The following risk factors can provoke the development of atherosclerosis:
- Physical inactivity.
- Overweight.
- Predisposition to disease, obtained at the genetic level.
- Smoking.
- Stress.
- Diabetes.
- Hypertension.
The patient develops intermittent claudication. In this case, convulsions can affect both the gluteal muscles and the calf. At night, a person experiences a feeling of heat in the feet and toes. If you lower them down, then the discomfort disappears.
Treatment recommendations:
- To give up smoking.
- Compliance with a diet.
- Increased physical activity. The patient needs to walk at least 40 minutes a day.
- Treatment of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which often cause atherosclerosis.
- Thinning the blood by taking Aspirin or Pentoxifylline.
If conservative treatment does not help, then the patient is indicated for an operation. This can be laser treatment or balloon repair. Sometimes the affected vessel needs to be removed.
In some cases, the patient undergoes lumbar sympathectomy, which is reduced to the intersection of nerve fibers located in the lumbar region. Such manipulation will avoid spasm of the vessels of the legs and will normalize the blood flow. The procedure is not the main focus in the treatment of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities.
Read more: Atherosclerosis - Causes, Symptoms and Modern Treatment Methods
Gout
Gout has a chronic course and develops in people suffering from metabolic disorders. The disease is accompanied by an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood. Its crystals will be deposited in various organs and tissues, which leads to the development of symptoms of the disease.
The following reasons can provoke gout:
- Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Violation of lipid metabolism in the body.
- The predominance of red meat, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, legumes in the diet. It is dangerous to drink alcoholic beverages.
- Kidney disease, accompanied by impaired urination.
With gout, the joints are affected. The disease debuts with the fact that a person has severe pain and burning sensation in the big toe. He turns red and swells, the pain becomes unbearable, occurs at night. During this period, a general increase in body temperature is possible.
Treatment for a gout attack:
- The leg should be placed on a small elevation and not disturbed.
- You need to take any pain medication other than Aspirin.
- Be sure to observe the drinking regime. The intake of fluid into the body will help to quickly eliminate pain and cope with an attack.
- Dry cold can be applied to the affected joint.
- During an attack, meat, fish, spices, cocoa, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages are excluded from the menu.
- Drugs such as Indomethacin, Naproxen, Fenoprofen, etc. help to reduce inflammation.
Read more: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Gout on the Feet
Vegeto-vascular dystonia
With vegetative-vascular dystonia, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system are observed. The following factors can provoke them:
- Stress and overwork.
- Postponed viral diseases.
- The effects of radiation on the body, including insolation.
- Frequent drinking and smoking.
- Drinking strong tea and coffee.
- Hormonal changes in the body.
- Hereditary predisposition to the development of the disease.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Allergic reactions of the body.
The symptoms of VSD are diverse. They include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, and changes in blood pressure. All of this can lead to hot flashes in the legs and palms. The heart works intermittently, the human psyche at such moments is unstable. The appearance of red spots on the body is possible.
If the VSD is provoked by any diseases, then it is required to direct efforts to eliminate them.
General recommendations that the patient receives:
- Rejection of bad habits.
- Allocating adequate time for sleep and rest.
- The diet should contain fresh vegetables and fruits, fresh juices, unrefined oils. It is imperative to drink enough water, it is good to supplement the drinking regimen with infusion of tea and milk mushrooms.
- It is recommended to take a contrast shower every morning. In the evening, you should give preference to baths with essential oils of fir, rosemary, pine, thyme.
- It is necessary to refuse to perform physical exercises, which are associated with a sharp movement of the body in space. With VSD, you should run, do yoga, swim, walk.
The more a person experiences positive emotions, the faster he will be able to cope with the problem.
Read more: VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia) - symptoms and treatment
Heat in the legs during pregnancy
Feet can burn during pregnancy, especially in the last months. This is due to the developing toxicosis, which is called gestosis. In addition to pain in the legs, a woman develops protein in the urine, and her lower limbs swell greatly. From them, the edema spreads to the abdomen and above. The vessels are pinched, which can provoke a feeling of heat.
In addition, increasing body weight can be the cause of leg discomfort.
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Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
