Burning, Tingling, or Numbness in Your Feet? Here’s What It Could Mean
Have you ever noticed a burning sensation in your feet, persistent tingling, or numbness that doesn’t seem to go away?
These symptoms can be easy to ignore, especially when they start gradually. But if you are living with diabetes, they may be signs of a condition called diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
What Is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can develop in people with diabetes. It most commonly affects the feet and legs, although the hands and arms can also be affected.
Over time, high blood sugar levels and other factors associated with diabetes can damage nerves and the small blood vessels that supply them.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), up to half of people with diabetes may develop peripheral neuropathy.
What Does Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Feel Like?
Symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people experience pain, while others gradually lose sensation.
Common symptoms may include:
- Burning sensations in the feet
- Tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling
- Numbness
- Sharp or shooting pain
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Weakness in the feet or legs
- Difficulty feeling changes in temperature
- Problems with balance or walking
Symptoms often begin in the feet and may become more noticeable at night.
Some people may even feel as though they are wearing socks when they are not.
Why Does Diabetes Affect the Nerves?
Over time, high levels of glucose and certain fats in the blood can damage nerves as well as the small blood vessels responsible for supplying those nerves with oxygen and nutrients.
Because this damage can develop gradually, some people may have mild nerve damage without realizing it.
That is one reason regular foot care and medical checkups are particularly important for people living with diabetes.
Why Should You Pay Attention to Numbness?
Pain may be uncomfortable, but losing sensation can also create problems.
If you cannot fully feel your feet, you might not notice a blister, cut, pressure from a shoe, or another small injury.
Left unnoticed, these injuries can sometimes develop into sores or infections.
Checking your feet regularly and discussing changes in sensation with your healthcare provider can help identify potential problems earlier.
When Should You Talk to a Healthcare Provider?
Burning, tingling, or numbness does not automatically mean that you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Many different conditions can cause similar symptoms.
However, if you have diabetes and begin noticing persistent changes in how your feet or legs feel, consider discussing them with your healthcare provider.
A healthcare professional can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether additional testing or treatment may be appropriate.
Research Is Helping Us Learn More
Researchers continue to study diabetic peripheral neuropathy to better understand the condition and explore potential approaches to managing the symptoms people experience.
Clinical research studies are an important part of that process.
At SCLA Management, we work with clinical research sites across the United States that conduct studies in a variety of medical conditions, including studies involving peripheral neuropathy.
Interested in Clinical Research?
If you are living with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or another medical condition, you may be eligible for a clinical research study.
Explore our current research opportunities to learn more about studies that may be available near you: https://sclamanagement.com/patients/current-enrolling-studies/
