Even though itchy skin is a normal and natural response, it can be a bother. It is a way of telling you something isn’t right. Our feet are the most vulnerable to itching since we wear all types of footwear that can cause sweating. Itching can occur because of dry skin, moisture, microbes, or other irritants. Some skin conditions can lead to itchy feet. Scratching can be a relief but not for long and it increases the likelihood of bacterial infections, thus causing more itching.
Itchiness isn’t a big deal but extreme itchiness or an itch that doesn’t recover with time can be alarming. Continue reading to learn the most common causes and remedies of itchy feet.
Causes of Itchy Feet
Dry skin is usually one common cause of itchy hands and feet. However, there are other causes like eczema, allergies, infections, and more. Let’s discuss the common causes of itchy feet in detail.
1. Athlete’s Foot
Also known as Tinea Pedis, an athlete’s foot is one major culprit behind itchy feet. Often, fungal infections affect the skin between your toes, thus leading to itching, scaling, or even redness. It is very contagious and can be contracted easily in communal places like swimming pools.
Despite its name, which implies it’s common for athletes, anyone can get an athlete’s foot, especially if your feet are sweaty and always confined in very tight shoes most of the time. This is why it is extremely important to adopt good foot hygiene by keeping the feet dry, and avoiding sharing footwear. This will help lower the risk of getting an athlete’s foot.
2. Contact Dermatitis
Another cause of itchy feet is contact dermatitis. This is a kind of skin inflammation that’s usually triggered when the feet come in direct contact with certain products. Irritants like body lotions, laundry detergents, or materials found in shoes or socks are the major reasons for dermatitis to occur.
If you feel itchy feet at night after using a certain skincare product or after wearing a pair of socks or shoes, you could be dealing with this foot condition.
3. Dry Skin
If you have had itchy skin conditions in the past, you are likely to have dry skin. Health conditions like kidney, diabetes, or liver diseases may also lead to dry feet that may itch. Dry itchy feet may also be a result of your genes. If you inherited ichthyosis (a skin condition that makes the skin itchy) from your parents, you will likely feel that the skin of your feet is dry.
4. Eczema
Eczema occurs when there is a lack of molecules on the skin to keep it hydrated and moisturised. Water tends to escape from your skin, which leads to symptoms like itching, redness, or scaly rashes on the bottom and top of the feet. Without sufficient moisture on the skin, it will be more vulnerable to allergens and irritants.
5. Psoriasis
This is an autoimmune disease that mainly causes dry, scaly skin, which can be itchy. You can experience that scaly and dry skin anywhere on your body and it mostly happens on the feet. With this condition, the immune system is interfered with, resulting in attacks on skin cells.
Rashes and scales will occur since the body is overproducing the skin cells due to an immune response. That is why you may at times experience itchy feet at night because you could be dealing with Psoriasis which is affecting your immune system.
6. Scabies
Generally, scabies is an infestation of small mites that start burrowing into the skin which can cause dry itchy feet. This condition can spread really fast among hospital patients, families, etc.
Usually, the bumps will appear in folds of the skin, such as the soles of the feet. The condition can also occur around your waist, between fingers, and in the armpits.
7. Medical Condition
At times, itchy feet can also be caused by diseases related to an increase in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Some medical conditions that may cause itchy hands and feet are cancer, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, etc.
How to Prevent Itchy Feet?
Itchy hands and feet can be frustrating. Scratching can provide relief but it’s short-term. It can worsen the situation and lead to severe problems. There are some measures that you can take if you want to ease your irritated skin and prevent itchy feet at night:
- Keep the feet dry: If your feet sweat a lot, you are at risk of getting fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Make sure you dry the feet well, especially between the toes.
- Moisturise the skin: If the feet always feel dry, apply a moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated and reduce itching. But do not use the moisturiser in between the toes as it can lead to skin breakdown because it makes them too soft.
- Keep the feet clean: Washing your feet each day with water and mild soap will help remove sweat and grime, which can cause itchiness.
If the itching continues after trying these home remedies and the skin appears reddish or irritated, it could imply an underlying condition like infections. You will have to seek medical help from a professional to get treated.
Conclusion
The causes of itching vary; it can be due to different things. Itchy feet can be a result of dry skin, infections, or a serious underlying medical condition. The causes stated here are the most common ones. However, if the itchiness is persistent, it is important to consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis and get proper treatment.
