Alleviate the pain with these home remedies
Does it feel like you are walking on warm coals? Struggling with burning feet, the sensation that your feet are painfully hot, can be excruciating and disruptive – it can be so painful that you cannot sleep. Certain people with this condition also experience pins and needles, numbness or both. Medical professionals call the sensation Guillain-Barre syndrome or burning feet syndrome (BFS).
There are many causes of BFS, with nerve damage being the most common cause. Nerve damage can result from diabetes, chronic alcohol use, exposure to certain toxins, B vitamin deficiencies, HIV infection, and more.
Causes of burning feet include:
- Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)
- Alcohol use disorder
- Athlete's foot
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Chemotherapy
- Chronic kidney disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Vitamin deficiency
Natural Remedies to Alleviate Burning Feet Syndrome
Soaking your feet
Cold soak
For temporary relief, soak your feet in cold water or an ice bath. However, people with erythromelalgia should avoid this as it can cause skin damage.
Salty soak
Soaking your feet in an Epsom salt solution can help with burning feet. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate that may:
- Decrease symptoms of athlete’s foot
- Reduce inflammation
- Exfoliate the skin
- Reduce odour
Soak your feet in warm, salty water for about 20 to 30 minutes. If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before using Epsom salt as it may cause foot damage.
Sour soak
Apple cider vinegar might relieve burning feet caused by athlete’s foot. Although not scientifically proven, it may help fight bacteria, fungi, and harmful microbes.
Turmeric
If your BFS is caused by nerve damage, taking turmeric can be beneficial. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.
Take a turmeric supplement or a teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper up to three times daily. Pairing turmeric with black pepper enhances its effects. You can also enjoy turmeric tea or add it to meals and smoothies.
Fish oil
Fish oil helps fight inflammation and can treat BFS, especially if related to diabetes. Take between 2,400 and 5,400 mg daily.
Lidocaine or capsaicin cream
Lidocaine numbs the skin for medical procedures. Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, also helps relieve pain. Topical creams containing either compound may help with diabetic neuropathic pain symptoms.
The RICE method
RICE stands for:
- Rest – resting your foot
- Ice – applying ice to your ankle
- Compression – wrapping your foot to prevent swelling
- Elevation – raising your foot
RICE is useful for minimising tarsal tunnel syndrome symptoms. It can reduce swelling and inflammation, easing BFS discomfort.
Foot massage
Massaging your feet helps improve blood circulation, which can alleviate BFS symptoms.
Research suggests that massage with aromatic ginger oil may be especially helpful. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. A 2014 study found that a Swedish massage using ginger oil reduced back pain more effectively than a Thai massage. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness for BFS.
Takeaway
If you suffer from BFS, identifying the root cause is essential for proper treatment. Fortunately, many home remedies can ease the pain and may even address the underlying issue.
Manna Burning Feet Gel
Using the Manna Burning Feet Gel relieves symptoms associated with burning feet, easing pain and improving quality of life.
The gel is soothing, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and helps relieve pain and muscle spasms. It is non-toxic and non-irritant, with no negative side effects.
Manna Burning Feet Gel contains:
- Matricaria Chamomilla
- Pelargonium Graveolens
- Arnica Oil
- Lavandula Ocinalis
- MethylSulfonyl Methane (MSM)
- Hyasol BT
- Carbopol
- Tri-ethanolamine
- Methyl- and Propylparaben
- Glycerine
- Jojoba Oil
- Purified Water