Burning Sensation: What Causes It and What You Can Do Now

A sudden burning feeling can be scary. It shows up in the skin, chest, mouth, feet or hands — and it rarely means one single thing. Knowing what to try at home and which signs need a doctor saves time and worry.

Burning is usually either nerve-related or irritation/inflammation. Nerve problems (neuropathy) give a hot, tingling or electric feeling. Irritation from acid, chemicals, sunburn or rashes feels sharp and surface-level. The fix can be different depending on the source.

Common causes you’ll see a lot

Here are the causes that come up most often:

- Heartburn/GERD: a burning in the chest or throat after eating or when lying down. Antacids often help short-term.

- Peripheral neuropathy: burning in the feet or hands, often linked to diabetes, alcohol use, or some medications.

- Skin problems: sunburn, contact dermatitis, or shingles can cause intense localized burning.

- Burning mouth syndrome: a persistent, unexplained burning on the tongue or inside the mouth, often in middle-aged people.

- Infections and inflammation: yeast infections, UTIs, or cellulitis sometimes produce burning sensations in the affected area.

Quick, practical relief you can try safely

If the pain is mild and you’re not worried it’s an emergency, try simple steps first:

- Cool compresses on hot, irritated skin for 10–15 minutes. Don’t use ice directly on skin.

- Over-the-counter options: paracetamol or ibuprofen for general pain, and antacids for heartburn. Topical lidocaine gels can numb local areas — follow package directions.

- Avoid triggers: spicy foods, alcohol, hot showers, harsh soaps, or tight shoes. For skin contact burns, rinse the area and remove contaminated clothing.

- Moisturize gently if dryness or eczema is the issue. For tongue or mouth burning, avoid tobacco, minty toothpaste and citrus until it improves.

- If neuropathy is suspected (tingling plus burning), check blood sugar and discuss nerve-pain treatments with your doctor. Some prescription meds like gabapentin help, but you’ll need medical advice.

Red flags that need urgent care: sudden severe chest burning with sweating or breathlessness, spreading rash with fever, weakness or numbness, severe chemical burns, or signs of infection like increasing redness, warmth and pus. Don’t wait on those.

For ongoing or unclear symptoms, your doctor will take a history, examine the area, and might order blood tests (blood sugar, thyroid), nerve studies, skin swabs, or an endoscopy for persistent heartburn. That helps find targeted treatment fast.

Small changes prevent many cases: protect skin from sun and chemicals, wear comfortable shoes, manage blood sugar if you have diabetes, and cut down on alcohol and smoking. If burning keeps returning, get checked — it’s easier to treat early than later.