I've had this too. Also when my feet were the worst, many years ago, it felt like I was walking on glass shards, or sharp rocks! (barefoot or in socks). With 3 cats in the house then, there could be surprises on the floor... hair ball events, etc. So I was always careful to only walk with lights on. LOL

When I had my meralgia in my right thigh (nerve damage to the lateral sensory femoral nerve from surgery in the abdomen --C-section)... I used to get feelings down that leg of water running down it. Eventually this turned to blinding stabbing pain... spells where it would flare for no reason, and last several hours.
This problem finally resolved with Lidoderm patches... they had just become available. So I experimented with them for placement and once I hit the right spot, I had some relief. After 2 weeks of every day use, the nerve surprisingly stopped its firing, and now I have a remission. It only twinges now with heat or hot water baths, etc. I never expected a remission...but it did fortunately happen for me. It was a surprise.