The sensation of burning in the hands is a type of abnormal nerve feeling, medically described as paresthesia or dysesthesia. Paresthesia is typically a painless tingling, while dysesthesia is a more uncomfortable or painful burning sensation. This feeling arises when the peripheral nerves—the network connecting the brain and spinal cord to the limbs—are irritated, damaged, or compressed. The symptom signals that the pathways responsible for transmitting sensory information are malfunctioning. While sometimes caused by a temporary issue, a persistent burning feeling can indicate a more serious underlying condition requiring medical attention.
Nerve Compression and Entrapment Syndromes
A frequent cause of hand burning is the physical compression of a nerve as it travels through a confined anatomical space. These localized compressions, known as entrapment syndromes, restrict blood flow and place mechanical stress directly on the nerve fibers. The resulting irritation causes the nerve to fire abnormal signals, which the brain interprets as a burning or tingling sensation.
One of the most common issues is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which involves the median nerve being squeezed at the wrist. This nerve compression typically results in burning, numbness, and tingling specifically affecting the thumb, index, middle, and the thumb-side half of the ring finger. Symptoms often worsen at night or when the wrist is held in a flexed position for prolonged periods, such as when driving or using a phone.
Another distinct syndrome is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, where the ulnar nerve is compressed, usually at the elbow. The ulnar nerve is responsible for the sensation in the little finger and the corresponding half of the ring finger. Compression at this site causes the burning and tingling to be localized to the pinky-side of the hand, sometimes accompanied by a dull ache in the elbow.
Systemic Diseases and Metabolic Imbalances
When the burning sensation in the hands is symmetrical or spreads from the feet upward, it often points to a systemic disease affecting the peripheral nervous system broadly. This condition is called peripheral neuropathy, and it represents damage to the small nerve fibers responsible for pain and temperature sensation. The most common underlying cause for this type of nerve damage is persistently high blood sugar levels.
Diabetic neuropathy develops over time as excess glucose damages the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. This leads to a gradual degeneration of the nerve fibers, particularly the longest ones that extend to the hands and feet. The result is a painful, chronic burning feeling that can sometimes feel like an electric shock or pins and needles.
Other metabolic issues can similarly disrupt nerve health, including specific nutritional deficits. A deficiency in Vitamin B12, for example, can impair the production of myelin, the protective sheath that insulates nerve fibers. Without proper insulation, the nerves cannot transmit signals efficiently, leading to neuropathy symptoms in the extremities.
Thyroid and Kidney Dysfunction
Dysfunction of the thyroid or kidneys can also contribute to peripheral nerve irritation. Untreated, long-term hypothyroidism can cause fluid retention in the body’s tissues. This fluid buildup can create swelling that physically compresses nerves, sometimes manifesting as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at the wrist. In cases of chronic kidney disease, waste products and toxins that the kidneys normally filter accumulate in the bloodstream. This uremic environment is toxic to the nerves, causing uremic neuropathy that results in burning and numbness in the hands and feet.
Environmental Factors and Skin Conditions
External stimuli and localized skin or vascular issues can also directly cause a burning feeling in the hands, independent of nerve compression or systemic disease. These factors range from common irritants to rare disorders that specifically target the skin and capillaries. Identifying an external trigger is often possible because the symptoms are usually confined to the area of contact or are rapidly reversible.
Contact dermatitis is a frequent cause of localized burning, resulting from the skin’s reaction to an irritant or allergen. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the skin barrier is damaged by chemicals like harsh soaps, detergents, or solvents, causing immediate stinging and burning pain. Allergic contact dermatitis, conversely, is a delayed immune response to substances like nickel or certain preservatives, which can also include a burning or itching component.
A more unusual cause is Erythromelalgia, a rare vascular disorder characterized by intense, episodic burning pain, warmth, and redness in the hands and feet. This condition is linked to issues with blood flow control and the small sensory nerve fibers that regulate temperature. Attacks are often triggered by slight increases in ambient temperature, exercise, or heat exposure, and the affected skin may appear visibly flushed and hot to the touch.
Extreme temperature exposure can also cause a lingering burning sensation, particularly during recovery from frostbite or severe sunburn. The damage to skin tissue and superficial nerves in these cases can result in a hypersensitivity that feels like persistent burning. Managing these external triggers is often a matter of avoiding the offending substance or controlling the environmental factors that provoke a flare-up.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While temporary burning sensations might be harmless, persistent or worsening symptoms should prompt a consultation with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. It is important to seek medical advice if the burning sensation does not resolve quickly or frequently interrupts sleep. Timely diagnosis is necessary to manage any underlying conditions and prevent permanent nerve damage.
You should contact a doctor immediately if the burning sensation is accompanied by:
- Rapid onset of muscle weakness.
- Loss of coordination.
- Difficulty performing fine motor tasks.
- Symptoms spreading from the hands up the arms.
A physician can use physical examinations and tests, such as nerve conduction studies, to determine the exact cause of the nerve irritation.