What causes a burning sensation in the legs?
There could be a wide variety of different causes. Pain in the legs can be due to a skin problem, such as dryness and eczema, which is common in older people, or to a sluggish circulation. Arthritis in either the knee or hip joints, or even in the spine (which can put pressure on the nerves supplying the legs) could also be to blame. Alternatively, the burning could be a side effect of medication, such as drugs used to treat a heart condition or high blood pressure. So she really needs to seee her GP to get this sorted out. Sometimes a burning sensation is accompanied by jerky movements in the legs, especially at night. Known as ‘Restless Leg Syndrome’ this can be linked to iron deficiency and also diabetes, though in most sufferers there is no identifiable underlying cause. However, treatment with drugs that raise dopamine levels in the brain, such as levodopa can be helpful. These are available on prescription from her GP.
