Introduction
Itchy feet are a common problem, especially among people who have dry skin or allergies. They may also be symptoms of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or thyroid disease. If you have concerns about your itchy feet, speak with your doctor.
It is normal to feel itchy feet from time to time.
The most common place to experience itchiness is the feet, but it can occur anywhere on your body. Itchiness is caused by many different factors, including dry skin and fungal infections. Here we will look at some of the causes of an itchy foot and what you can do about it.
It’s normal to have an occasional itch or even a full-blown rash. But if you’re finding that it’s getting worse and worse or returning more frequently than before. Then there might be something else going on beneath the surface (literally). There are several reasons why you may feel like this including:
- Dry skin – using harsh soaps or detergents as well as spending long periods of time in hot or cold conditions without suitable footwear can all contribute towards dryness which can lead to cracking on both hands and feet which will cause itchiness if left untreated.
- Shoes – wearing shoes that don’t fit properly over time rubs away at layers of skin causing damage which leads them not only being uncomfortable but also very painful when doing everyday activities such as walking around town shopping for groceries whilst carrying heavy bags full with shopping items purchased earlier in the morning during work hours after 9am shift starts at 8am.
Dry skin and certain medical conditions can cause itchy feet.
Dry skin is one of the most common causes of itchiness in the feet and can be easily treated. If you have dry skin, use a gentle moisturizer before going to bed.
Thickened skin on your toes is another common cause of itchy feet and is often caused by psoriasis or eczema. A dermatologist can treat this condition with medication if mild symptoms are present. But severe cases may require steroid injections in order to get relief from itching.
Itching also occurs when there are swelling or blisters on your feet. Due to an allergic reaction called dermatitis (also known as eczema). Eczema usually affects people who have asthma, hay fever, and allergies. But some people develop it without any known trigger factors at all!
To prevent itching from happening again, try taking showers instead of baths when possible because many soaps contain ingredients that irritate sensitive skin types like yours. If you do take baths regularly — which we recommend doing every day — then just make sure they’re not too hot: water above 104 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the top layer of skin cells even further causing them to become more susceptible to irritation!
Symptoms of Itchy feet
If your feet itch at night, it’s important to rule out any serious conditions that can cause this symptom. If you have itchy feet with other symptoms, such as redness or swelling of the skin on the soles of your feet and/or toes. It could be a symptom of a variety of conditions.
- Dry skin: Itchy feet may be caused by dry skin, which can usually be treated with moisturizers or ointments. You should consult a dermatologist if your dry skin persists even after using products designed to treat it (and if they aren’t helping).
- Allergies: It is common for people who suffer from seasonal allergies to experience itching around their mouth and nose during springtime. The same goes for individuals who are allergic to the pollen in particular areas of the country—for example, hay fever sufferers in rural areas tend towards suffering more severe cases than those who have moved away from large farmlands in search of greener pastures (pun intended).
It can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as:
Itchy feet at night can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, including:
- Dermatitis — This is a common skin rash that tends to be red and itchy. It’s usually caused by dry skin, but can also be triggered by bacteria or other infections.
- Psoriasis — This chronic skin condition causes patches of redness on the hands and body with silvery scales. It often appears on your elbows and knees with swelling around the joints.
- Eczema — Eczema is another type of chronic rash that comes in different forms but it typically affects your hands and feet, especially between your toes where you’re likely to have sweaty socks rubbing against them all day long (yuck).
- Diabetes — If you have diabetes and are not taking proper care of yourself, it can lead to swollen feet as well as an increased risk for infection since sugar levels may cause poor blood circulation throughout your body—even reaching into areas like between your toes!
Dermatitis
When your skin is irritated, it can be uncomfortable. You can experience redness and burning or itching sensations.
This condition may be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Allergies to cosmetics or other substances in the air you breathe (called contact dermatitis)
- Irritants like soaps, detergents, solvents, laundry products, and fragrances (called irritant contact dermatitis)
- Stress-related eczema
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes red, scaly patches to appear on your skin. While psoriasis most often appears on the scalp, knees, elbows, hands, and feet. The latter of which can make it difficult or painful for you to walk—it can also affect other parts of your body.
The severity of psoriasis varies from person to person and may range from mild scaling to severe thickening of the skin. It can also be accompanied by irritation and intense itching (a symptom known as pruritus). In some cases, this itching may continue long after the scratching stops. If this happens regularly it’s called “deformational pruritus” or “fulminant pruritus.”
Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition that affects approximately 1 in 10 children and 1 in 20 adults. It can be extremely uncomfortable and distressing for the individual affected, as well as their family members and friends. The main symptoms of eczema are dryness, itchiness, and inflammation of the skin. Eczema is not contagious; however, it does tend to run in families. So if you’ve got it then there’s a good chance your kids will too.
If you have been diagnosed with eczema then there are many over-the-counter products available. That can help reduce irritation and itching when applied regularly. Moisturizers are great for preventing scaling or flaking while topical steroids provide fast relief from inflammation (although they must be used carefully because they can thin out your skin if used incorrectly). Alternatively, antihistamines may help relieve itching while you wait for these other remedies to take effect
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, it could be the cause of your itchy feet.
Diabetes is a disease that causes too much glucose (sugar) to build up in the blood. The body tries to get rid of the excess glucose by passing it through the kidneys and into the urine. This process causes the skin to itch.
Athlete’s foot
If you have an athlete’s foot, there are ways you can treat it at home. If a doctor diagnoses you with an athlete’s foot. They will recommend that you use antifungal medications to get rid of the fungus. These medications come in creams or sprays and need to be applied directly onto the skin of your feet two to three times a day. A prescription may also be required.
Kidney disease
Itchy feet are also more common in people with kidney disease. It’s estimated that up to 40 percent of people with end-stage renal disease have itchy feet.
Kidney disease is often caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). If you have any of these underlying conditions and are experiencing itchy feet at night, it would be a good idea to see your doctor.
Liver disease
There are a couple of symptoms associated with liver disease that can make your feet itch. The first is dry skin, which can be caused by an insufficient amount of bile being produced by the liver. If you notice your hands and feet are dry, this could be an indication that something is wrong with your liver. Another symptom of liver disease is swelling in the hands and feet—and sometimes elsewhere on the body. If you notice increased swelling in any part of your body, particularly on regular basis (meaning several times a week), it’s best to see a doctor right away so they can determine if there is an issue with your lymphatic system or other organs.
Other common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss (or lack thereof), feeling very sick after eating even small amounts of food, and jaundice (a yellow tinge to someone’s skin).
Thyroid disease
Thyroid disease is a common cause of itchy feet at night. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism and affect your body’s growth. When the thyroid gland isn’t producing enough hormone, you may experience symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, and feeling cold.
Itchy feet can also be a symptom of other conditions; however, if you have more than one symptom in addition to itchy feet at night then it’s important to see your doctor so they can determine if you have an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.
The goal is usually to improve your overall well-being by managing the symptoms associated with each condition effectively using medication or lifestyle changes such as diet intervention or exercise programs.
Remedies for Itchy feet
If you find that your feet become itchy at night, there are a variety of solutions available to help you relieve the problem. For example:
- Apply a moisturizer before bed. Moisturizing your skin is one of the best ways to ensure it stays soft and smooth during the day. As an added bonus, applying moisturizer before bed can make it easier for you to fall asleep because it prevents your skin from drying out too much during sleep.
- Try anti-fungal cream or powder instead of regular foot powder or deodorant if you’re prone to getting athlete’s foot (a type of fungal infection). An athlete’s foot can cause an intense itching sensation at night that may wake you up several times throughout the night; applying antifungal creams or powders directly onto affected areas will help clear up this condition without causing further irritation or discomfort!
- Use antihistamine cream on just one part of your body rather than all over–for example: if only one arm is itching then apply some antihistamine cream just around where this area begins rather than both elbows as well as wrists etc…
If you have concerns about your itchy feet, speak with your doctor.
If you are experiencing severe itching or discomfort on your feet, it is important that you consult with a doctor. Your doctor can conduct tests and evaluations to determine whether the itching is caused by an underlying condition. If there are no underlying medical conditions, they may be able to recommend treatments for the itchiness.
If you have concerns about your itchy feet, speak with your doctor today!
Conclusion
If you have concerns about your itchy feet, speak with your doctor. Itchy feet can be a symptom of an underlying condition or disease, so it is important to be screened for this problem.