- Seek emergency care right away if one leg has severe pain, swelling, redness, or warmth.
- Burning that worsens at night or occurs with numbness or tingling may be related to nerve damage.
- Leg cramps or burning that happen with walking and improve with rest may be a sign of poor circulation.
A burning sensation in the legs is most often caused by poor venous circulation, peripheral arterial disease, or vitamin B12 deficiency. It can also be a complication of uncontrolled diabetes or blood clots in the leg veins.
Other symptoms may occur with burning in the legs, depending on the cause. These may include swelling, skin color changes, varicose veins, tingling, numbness, weakness, or warmth.
If you have a burning sensation in your legs, you should see a primary care provider for an evaluation. Treatment depends on the cause and may include lifestyle changes, pain-relieving medication, or surgery.
Main causes
A burning sensation in the legs may be caused by:
1. Poor venous circulation
Poor venous circulation, also called chronic venous insufficiency, can cause symptoms such as discomfort, heaviness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the legs. These symptoms are not usually related to physical activity and tend to improve with rest and leg elevation.
When left untreated, poor circulation in the legs can worsen and lead to varicose veins, swelling, sores, and darkening of the skin on the affected leg.
How to treat: if poor venous circulation is suspected, you should see a vascular specialist. In most cases, burning in the legs can be improved with lifestyle measures such as weight loss, exercises that promote circulation, and the use of compression stockings.
For varicose veins, treatment options may include sclerotherapy or, in more severe cases, surgery to help relieve symptoms.
2. Peripheral arterial disease
Symptoms such as cramps, discomfort, or a burning sensation in the legs while walking or exercising that improve with rest are typical of peripheral arterial disease. According to the CDC, this activity-related leg pain is considered the classic symptom of the condition.
Peripheral arterial disease is most often caused by atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow through the arteries due to cholesterol buildup in these vessels.
How to treat: it is important to see your primary care provider or a cardiologist for an evaluation. Burning in the legs tends to improve with treatment, which usually involves physical therapy and medication to improve circulation.
To help prevent arterial blockage from worsening, measures such as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and properly treating conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes are also recommended.
3. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Severe vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, or a burning sensation in the legs or other parts of the body. These symptoms occur because the deficiency affects how sensory nerves function.
Anemia symptoms, such as tiredness or paleness, are also common because vitamin B12 is important for red blood cell production.
How to treat: if vitamin B12 deficiency is suspected, you should see your primary care provider, who may refer you to a hematologist. Treatment involves vitamin B12 replacement, usually with tablets or B12 injections.
4. Sciatic nerve pain
Sciatic nerve pain can cause a burning sensation in the leg in some people. It usually starts in the lower back and travels down the leg on the same side as the affected nerve.
This pain is usually caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Other symptoms, such as tingling, numbness, weakness, or a feeling of heaviness in the affected leg, are also common.
How to treat: if sciatic nerve pain is suspected, you should see a primary care provider or specialist, such as an orthopedic doctor. In most cases, treatment involves pain-relieving medication and physical therapy to help the nerve recover.
Applying warm compresses, avoiding prolonged sitting or standing, and engaging in guided physical activity and stretching can help relieve sciatic nerve pain.
5. Uncontrolled diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can damage nerves in the body and cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the legs and feet. In some people, these symptoms may get worse at night.
According to the CDC, high blood sugar can lead to nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy, which can affect the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
How to treat: you should see your primary care provider or an endocrinologist for an evaluation. In some cases, the burning sensation in the legs can improve when diabetes is treated and blood sugar is managed according to medical guidance.
If symptoms are persistent or severe, the doctor may also prescribe medications such as pregabalin or amitriptyline to help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
6. Deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot inside deep veins in the body. It is more common in the legs and can cause a burning sensation in the affected leg, as well as severe pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the limb.
How to treat: if a DVT is suspected, you should seek emergency care right away. Treatment is usually done in the hospital and involves anticoagulant medication to prevent the clot from worsening.