Burning Pain on Outside Edge of Foot

Burning pain on the outside edge of the foot can be caused by improper footwear, infection or a serious medical condition 3. Diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and obesity are all factors that can affect the foot, causing pain and burning sensations 13.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Burning feet is a common side effect of diabetes, due to nerve damage and poor blood circulation. If you are diabetic, have your feet checked regularly, as cuts and sores can go undetected and cause significant damage to the foot.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes numbness, burning and pain in the hands and feet 1. Individuals with metabolic problems or who have sustained injury to the foot develop the condition, according to the Mayo Clinic 2.

Obesity

Obesity can put excessive strain on the joints and feet, causing a host of aches and pains. Burning pain on the foot may be caused by mechanical overload, due to obesity and too much stress on the foot 3.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection often associated with athletes, due to their constant foot perspiration, which can lead to fungal infections of the foot 2. The most common symptoms of athlete's foot include itching, stinging and burning.

Footwear

Improper footwear can cause discomfort as well as callouses and other irritations of the foot. Choose function before fashion when selecting footwear to avoid pain and burning.

Treatments

Treatments for burning pain on the outside edge of the foot are based upon the condition 3. Knowing the cause of the foot pain is the first step to eliminating the problem. Over-the-counter pain medications and cooling creams may provide temporary relief. Anti-fungal sprays, powders and ointments are helpful for relieving athlete's foot.