Condition
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Nerve damage from long-term high blood sugar, typically causing pain, burning, tingling, or numbness that starts in the feet.
See a clinician
Some causes of diabetic peripheral neuropathy need medical care, not self-treatment. Seek help for any of these:
- A non-healing foot sore or ulcer, spreading redness, or a foot that is hot and swollen — risk of serious infection that can threaten the limb; seek care urgently.
- Sudden weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapidly worsening numbness — needs prompt medical evaluation.
- Numbness that means you cannot feel injuries to your feet — requires regular professional foot checks.
What may help
Remedies studied for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, ranked by strength of evidence.
- B Alpha-lipoic acid supplement
Reduces neuropathic symptoms (pain, burning, numbness); the effect is strongest and most clinically relevant for short-term intravenous dosing, with oral evidence smaller.
Keeping blood sugar in range is the foundation of treatment; clinicians also prescribe specific medicines for the nerve pain itself. Alpha-lipoic acid is the supplement with the most supportive trial evidence for symptom relief, strongest when given intravenously short-term.