If you are having burning or itching sensations in your feet, you may wonder if it is a side effect of a diabetic issue. Not only are sensory problems a symptom of diabetic neuropathy, but these pains and sensations can last for some time—and will often occur with fluctuations in blood sugar.

However, there are many treatment options for diabetic neuropathy foot problems, such as:

  • Topical medications. Creams and lotions can help ease the pain in your feet. While many of these have a numbing agent such as lidocaine, others contain capsaicin, an ingredient found in chili peppers that can reduce the sensation of burning pain in some patients. 
  • Pain medication. If over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen are not effective enough, your doctor may prescribe a more powerful prescription painkiller to cope with your symptoms.
  • Acupuncture. Acupuncture is overused as a pain treatment for patients who do not like taking medication. Small pins are inserted into the skin to block pain signals to the brain, and may involve passing a low electric current through the needles.
  • Antidepressants. Doctors may prescribe antidepressants for patients who are having trouble controlling their chronic pain. Since neuropathy manifests itself differently in each person, your doctor may attempt to treat the psychological factors if the symptoms persist. It is also likely that your doctor will recommend pain management counseling to discuss other types of coping methods.

To find out the best treatment options for your diabetic foot injury, call HealthMark Foot & Ankle Associates today in Media at 610-565-3668 or in Phoenixville at 610-933-8644, or click the link on this page to receive a FREE copy of our book, The Foot is Not an Island: Recognizing Vitamin D Deficiency & How to Correct It. 

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