What Causes Burning or Stinging With Treatments
Many people feel a burning or stinging sensation during or after medical treatments. This discomfort often comes from how treatments affect nerves or skin. Nerves can get irritated, damaged, or overstimulated, leading to that sharp, fiery feeling.[1][2][6] For example, neuropathy medications like gabapentin or pregabalin aim to calm nerve pain but sometimes cause side effects such as burning or tingling as the body adjusts.[8] Topical creams with capsaicin or lidocaine, used for localized pain relief, can sting right away because they target nerve endings directly.[2][6]
Cancer treatments and certain drugs play a big role too. Intravenous drugs like rituximab may trigger burning or stinging on the skin along with chills or itching.[9] Some cancer therapies lead to bone pain that feels like burning, especially if they impact nerves or tissues.[10] Antibiotics such as penicillin or Bactrim can cause skin reactions with burning and itching as part of an allergic response.[7] Even joint replacement surgery might leave burning or tingling from nerve irritation or scar tissue buildup.[4]
Underlying health issues can make treatments sting more. In older adults, nerve problems from diabetes, shingles aftermath, or vitamin shortages like B12 amplify sensations during care.[1][3] Conditions such as erythromelalgia cause blood vessels to dilate, worsening burning with heat or activity, and treatments like aspirin help but initial applications might irritate.[5] Pinched nerves from spine issues or injuries react strongly to therapies like injections or physical adjustments.[2][6]
Doctors use options like nerve blocks with anesthetics and steroids to ease this during treatment. These interrupt pain signals but can sting briefly from the injection.[2][4][6] Anti-inflammatory drugs, ice packs, or gentle exercises help manage it afterward.[4] Regenerative treatments such as platelet-rich plasma injections promote healing around nerves but may cause temporary stinging as they work.[4][6]
Sources
https://ubiehealth.com/doctors-note/burning-skin-sensation-no-rash-age-65-causes-47-xx123exp4
https://www.totalorthosportsmed.com/burning-soft-tissue-pain/
https://www.cloverpodiatry.com/faqs/burning-foot-pain-at-night-causes-and-treatment-options.cfm
https://www.totalorthosportsmed.com/tingling-pain-after-joint-replacement/
https://www.britannica.com/science/erythromelalgia
https://apicopain.com/2025/12/11/nerve-injury-neuropathic-pain-beyond-burning-or-tingling-how-to-get-evaluated-treated/
https://medshadow.org/conditions-treatments/skin/5-common-drug-reactions-that-affect-the-skin/
https://understoodcare.com/uc-articles/why-neuropathy-medications-often-cause-side-effects
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/rituximab-intravenous-route/description/drg-20068057
https://www.ummhealth.org/health-library/if-your-cancer-treatment-causes-bone-pain
