Burning, tingling, or numb feet that keep you up at night can quietly steal your independence — and when those symptoms stem from long-term alcohol use, the nerve damage is often permanent if left unmanaged. Knowing what alcoholic neuropathy does to your feet, how to slow its progression, and which treatments truly bring relief can change the course of your daily life.
Dr. D. Sean Sweeney, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Christy Leahey, DPM, FACFAS, lead Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists with more than 20 years of trusted podiatric expertise across The Woodlands and Magnolia. Voted Best Podiatrist in The Woodlands by Living Magazine every year since 2012, our team blends compassionate care with leading-edge technology to protect your feet and restore your mobility.
What Is Alcoholic Neuropathy?
Alcoholic neuropathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy caused by the prolonged use of alcoholic beverages. Ethanol is toxic to nerve tissue and, over time, damages the nerves in the feet, hands, legs, and arms. The result is a gradual loss of protective sensation, mirroring the nerve damage seen in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Common Symptoms
- Burning or tingling that starts in the toes and creeps up the foot
- Numbness, or the sensation of wearing socks when you are not
- Feeling like you are walking on cotton or a water-filled cushion
- Feet that feel cold to you but have normal skin temperature
- Difficulty distinguishing sharp from dull, or hot from cold
- Nighttime burning that disrupts sleep
Why Sensation Loss Is Dangerous
When protective sensation fades, small problems quickly become serious. Corns, calluses, and ingrown toenails can break down into ulcers or infections without you noticing. Trimming nails, soaking feet in hot water, or walking barefoot all carry hidden risks.
Daily foot inspections, well-fitted shoes, and routine podiatric checkups are essential safeguards — the same precautions we recommend in our diabetic foot care program.
Treatment Options at Sweeney Foot & Ankle
While the nerve damage from alcoholic neuropathy is not reversible, the right care plan can ease symptoms, slow progression, and prevent complications. Your treatment may include:
- Oral medications to calm burning and nerve pain
- Vitamin B12 support when a deficiency is identified
- Doctor-guided topical therapies
- MLS laser therapy — an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment with an 85–90% efficacy rate for reducing pain and inflammation
- In-office physical therapy to maintain strength and balance
- Protective wound care and routine nail services to prevent ulceration
Why Choose Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists for Alcoholic Neuropathy Treatment in The Woodlands, TX?
For more than two decades, our practice has built a word-of-mouth reputation across Greater Houston for warm, knowledgeable care backed by leading-edge technology. Patients trust Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Leahey not only because they are board-certified foot and ankle experts, but because every visit feels personal, unhurried, and genuinely focused on your goals.
We are proud to be an award-winning practice recognized as Best Podiatrist in The Woodlands by Living Magazine every year since 2012. That long-standing trust is reflected in our investment in advanced therapies, all delivered under one roof for your convenience. Prompt appointments, two locations, and a true patient-centered approach mean help is always close when neuropathy symptoms flare.
Take the Next Step Toward Comfortable, Healthier Feet
Alcoholic neuropathy may be permanent, but suffering through the symptoms is not. With early intervention, daily protection, and advanced therapies like MLS Laser Therapy, you can reduce pain, protect your feet from injury, and keep moving with confidence.
Schedule your consultation with Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists today. Call our The Woodlands, TX, office at (281) 292-4944 or our Magnolia, TX, office at (281) 789-4956 to start your personalized care plan.