You may relieve diabetic nerve pain with medications and some forms of exercise. Managing diabetes helps with long-term relief and slows down the progression of nerve damage.

Diabetes may cause long-term problems throughout your body, particularly if blood sugar levels aren’t managed effectively or remain untreated and high for many years.

One complication of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. This may cause numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Another symptom is a burning, sharp, or aching pain (diabetic nerve pain).

Nerve pain related to diabetes may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time and spread up your legs or arms. Walking can become painful, and even the softest touch to the area can feel unbearable.

The most important thing when you experience diabetic nerve pain is to manage your blood sugar levels. A doctor can tailor the management plan to your needs and symptoms.

You may be asked to maintain your blood sugar before meals around 80 to 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)Trusted Source and your blood sugar after meals at less than 180 mg/dL.

Eating habits, physical activity, and specific medications can help you decrease your blood sugar to a desired range.

You may also need to monitor other diabetes risk factors, such as your weight and tobacco use. If you think you need to focus on this, a doctor can help you determine the most effective ways to lose weight or quit smoking, if necessary.

Anticonvulsants (anti-seizure drugs) Pregabalin (Lyrica) or gabapentin (Neurontin) are usually the first-line treatment for diabetic neuropathy, especially when there’s nerve pain.

A healthcare team may also choose a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) like duloxetine (Cymbalta). Antidepressants like this interfere with the production of chemicals in your brain that regulate pain.

If these three medications are not effective, a doctor may opt to prescribe anticonvulsants like oxcarbazepine (Trileptal, Oxtellar XR) or carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol). These medications have been approved for different uses, but research suggests they are also effective in some cases of diabetic nerve pain.

Other antidepressants for diabetic pain relief may include:

In addition, a doctor may recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin (Bufferin), or ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil) to manage pain. These are available without a prescription but could still lead to side effects. You may want to use a low dose for a short time to manage your symptoms.

Lidocaine patches may also deliver local anesthetic when placed on the skin. These may cause minor skin irritation or be contraindicated in some cases, however.

A variety of physical exercises or physical therapy may help in reducing pain from peripheral neuropathy, but they won’t eliminate the pain or its cause. Research on the effects of physical therapy on nerve pain has yet to determine the most effective type.

A doctor may recommend a combination of the following exercises and activities:

Working with a physical therapist who understands neuropathy and diabetes can help you work through physical therapy methods without further nerve damage.

Capsaicin cream (Arthricare, Zostrix) blocks pain signals using an ingredient found in hot peppers (capsain). It is also available as a lotion, jelly, or patch, and can be applied to the skin where diabetic nerve pain is strong.

These creams may cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people. so caution is highly advised.

Capsain may also interactTrusted Source with other medications and make you more sensitive to the sun and other sources of heat. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or heat when using capsaicin creams or lotions.

Diabetic nerve damage causes pain but may also affect your ability to feel pain (numbness). Maintaining your overall foot health when you have diabetes is important.

Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, swelling, bruises that don’t heal, and sensitivity, even if you don’t feel any pain in the area. It’s also important to prevent and treat infections to avoid serious complications, including amputation.

Washing your feet dailyTrusted Source with warm water and drying them completely afterward is also essential to avoid skin infections. Keeping the skin moisturized is also important.

When possible, wear comfortable, flexible shoes that give your feet room to move. Break in new shoes slowly so that they don’t hurt your feet or cause skin lesions. If regular shoes don’t fit well, a doctor can advise you on customized shoes.

Always cover your feet with shoes, slippers, or thick socks to cushion them and prevent injuries.

What triggers neuropathy in feet?

Diabetic neuropathy is associated with untreated high blood sugar and diabetes, which can damage the nerves that send signals from your hands and feet to your brain.

Can you fix nerve damage in the foot from diabetes?

Damaged nerves can’t be replaced or repaired. However, there are ways to prevent further damage and relieve pain, like medications, blood sugar management, and physical therapy.

What foods should you avoid if you have neuropathy?

When living with diabetes, it’s important to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy fats from foods like nuts and oils, and lean proteins like chicken or plant-based proteins. Avoid foods containing trans fats, refined carbs, or added sugars to keep your cholesterol and blood glucose levels steady.

Keeping your blood sugar under control to prevent nerve damage is the best way to avoid and manage diabetic nerve pain. Follow the doctor’s advice for diet, exercise, and treatments if you already experience diabetic nerve pain.

Diabetic neuropathy doesn’t have any known cures. However, many treatments can help lessen the discomfort and pain caused by diabetic nerve pain, and your doctor can assist you in selecting one that works best for you.