What It Could Mean If Your Feet Burn At Night

Every day, our feet are busy taking us from one place to another and helping us balance our bodies in an upright position. On average, American adults put their feet to work for 5,000 to 7,000 steps each day (via VeryWell Fit). Most of the time, we don't think much about our feet until we have pain with walking or standing. Getting a new pair of supportive shoes or just simply resting your feet at the end of the day usually provides some relief. However, for some people, foot pain starts when they are off of their feet and resting at night.

In some cases, foot pain may be a sign of a health condition that affects a different part of your body. If you have burning pain in your feet at night, you shouldn't overlook it. It could be your feet's way of warning you that there's a problem with your heart.

Burning foot pain is a symptom of advanced peripheral artery disease

Your burning foot pain may be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). According to the Cleveland Clinic, PAD affects between 8 to 12 million adults in the United States, but is underdiagnosed. PAD occurs when plaque, also known as atherosclerosis, builds up in the arteries of your legs. This decreases the flow of blood and oxygen into your legs and feet.

In the early stages of PAD, you may only notice subtle changes or none at all. The first sign is usually leg pain or cramps that go away with rest. In the advanced stages of PAD, your feet and toes may burn at night while you're lying flat on your back and the skin on your feet may feel cool or look discolored. If left untreated, PAD can result in leg amputation, a heart attack, or a stroke.

If you have diabetes, you are more likely to experience burning pain in your feet at night due to PAD, according to WebMD. 20 to 30 percent of people who are diagnosed with PAD have diabetes. 

PAD is not the only possible culprit of burning foot pain. In fact, your culprit may be as simple as wearing shoes that are too tight, according to Healthline. Regardless, experts recommend seeing your doctor if you have burning foot pain so that they can pinpoint the cause and provide treatment options and recommendations for lifestyle changes.