The sensation of electricity in your feet is a common symptom, medically termed paresthesia, which suggests an issue with the body’s communication wiring. When this feeling, along with tingling or burning, becomes chronic, it often signals underlying nerve damage or dysfunction known as peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy affects the peripheral nerves—the vast network outside the brain and spinal cord—which carry sensory information from the extremities. The electrical feeling indicates that these sensory pathways are misfiring and sending distorted messages.
Understanding the Electrical Sensation
The nervous system communicates through electrical impulses, known as action potentials, traveling along nerve fibers called axons. A healthy axon is coated in the myelin sheath, a fatty protective layer that functions similarly to insulation around an electrical cord. This sheath allows the electrical signal to travel quickly and efficiently.
When neuropathy occurs, the myelin sheath or the axon itself becomes damaged, often due to disease or injury. This damage causes the nerve signal to slow down, become blocked, or become unstable. With the insulation compromised, the electrical impulse can “short-circuit” or generate spontaneous, erratic signals. This misfiring is interpreted by the brain as an uncomfortable sensation, such as a shock or intense tingling, manifesting as the feeling of electricity in the feet.
Systemic Causes of Nerve Discomfort
The most frequent cause of peripheral neuropathy, and therefore the electrical sensation, is a systemic condition that affects the entire body’s nerves simultaneously. These conditions typically lead to a symmetrical pattern of symptoms, often starting in both feet and slowly progressing upward. This is sometimes referred to as a “stocking-and-glove” distribution.
Diabetes is the primary culprit, as high blood sugar levels damage small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the peripheral nerves. This lack of nourishment, combined with the toxic effects of high glucose, causes diabetic neuropathy. The damage compromises the structure and function of the nerve fibers, leading to chronic pain, burning, and the electric shock sensation in the feet.
Nutritional issues also play a significant role. A deficiency in Vitamin B12 is particularly damaging because this vitamin is necessary for maintaining the health of the myelin sheath. Without sufficient B12, the protective coating degrades, leading to impaired signal transmission and neuropathy symptoms. Less commonly, excessive intake of Vitamin B6 can also be toxic to nerves.
Other systemic factors include chronic alcohol abuse, which can lead to a toxic nutritional neuropathy, and exposure to certain medications. Some chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer are known to cause peripheral neuropathy as a side effect. Chronic kidney or liver disease can also result in the buildup of toxins that damage nerve tissue throughout the body.
Localized Nerve Compression and Entrapment
In contrast to systemic causes, the electrical feeling can also be due to a mechanical issue where a specific nerve is being physically squeezed or entrapped. This localized compression typically affects only one side of the body or a very specific area of the foot. The physical pressure on the nerve disrupts the flow of the electrical impulse, creating the same misfiring sensation as chemical damage.
Sciatica is a common example, resulting from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which originates in the lower back and extends down the leg. When a herniated disc or spinal stenosis narrows the space around the nerve roots, it can cause shooting, electric shock-like pain that travels from the buttock down the back of the leg and into the foot.
Another form of mechanical entrapment specific to the foot is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. This condition involves the posterior tibial nerve, which runs through a narrow passage on the inside of the ankle. Swelling, injury, or structural issues can compress this nerve, leading to burning, tingling, and electrical sensations on the sole of the foot or the toes.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
If you experience persistent or recurrent electrical sensations in your feet, seeking a medical evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying cause. While transient paresthesia can be harmless, chronic symptoms require investigation because nerve damage can progress if the root problem is not addressed. Early detection of conditions like diabetes or severe vitamin deficiencies can significantly slow or halt the progression of neuropathy.
Specific red flags warrant immediate medical attention, such as the sudden onset or rapid worsening of the electrical feeling. Severe muscle weakness, inability to feel pain or temperature, or a loss of sensation that impairs walking or balance are serious symptoms. A healthcare provider will typically begin with a physical exam and a detailed review of your medical history and medications.
Diagnostic testing often involves blood work to check for common systemic causes, including blood sugar levels, Vitamin B12, and thyroid function. Specialized tests, such as nerve conduction studies, may be performed to measure the speed and strength of nerve signals. Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms and treating the underlying condition to prevent further nerve deterioration.