Why are my Feet Itchy?

Itchy feet can be incredibly annoying especially when you have shoes and socks on and can’t seem to get to the itch. Not only does it cause stress but it can significantly impact the quality of your life. Pruritus is the medical term for itchiness caused by an irritating sensation on your skin that makes you want to scratch. This can occur anywhere on your skin. Many situations can lead to itchy feet including exposure to:

1. Moisture
2. Dry environments that lead to dry skin
3. Irritants, when walking barefoot
4. Infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi

Although itchy feet are not usually a cause for concern, they can indicate an underlying skin condition or even a deeper internal disease. Understanding what symptoms you should and should not be worried about can help you find relief from worry.

Types of itch

The medical term for itchiness is pruritus. The causes can be put into four categories:

1. Cutaneous - which is an itch that results from a problem in or on the skin.
2. Systemic - which is itchiness due to a generalized issue throughout the body.
3. Neuropathic - which is an itch that comes from the nerves or nervous system.
4. Psychogenic - which means that the itching results from a psychological issue.

What Causes Itchy Feet?

Itchy feet can have many different causes, from minor skin conditions to more serious medical diseases. Here are some of the most common reasons feet might become irritatingly itchy:

1. Athlete's Foot: This fungal infection on the feet is very common, especially among active people using public showers and locker rooms. The fungus causes a red, blistering rash on the feet along with cracked and scaly skin that itches intensely. It spreads easily in damp areas.
2. Eczema: Eczema, also called dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that makes the skin extremely dry and itchy. It can occur all over the body but frequently affects the hands, feet, inside of elbows, and behind the knees. Eczema is not contagious but is a persistent condition that flares up and subsides.
3. Psoriasis: An autoimmune disorder that accelerates skin cell growth, psoriasis causes raised thick patches of skin covered in silvery scales. These scaly plaques most often occur on the scalp, knees, elbows, lower back, face, and feet. The plaques are usually itchy.
4. Bug Bites: Mosquitoes, fleas, and other biting insects can cause very itchy feet. The bites cause the body to release inflammatory chemicals and histamine, leading to itching and swelling. Bites may also become red, irritated, and fluid-filled.
5. Dry Skin: Chronically dry, flaky skin on the feet is a common cause of itchiness. Underlying medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease can all contribute to excessively dry skin that feels itchy. For some people, dry skin may simply result from genetics.
6. Scabies: An infestation of microscopic mites that burrow into the outer layers of the skin produces severe itching in those affected. Scabies often affect the hands and feet along with the head, neck, and trunk. In infants and children, scabies frequently appear between the toes and soles, where itching is intense, especially at night.
7. Allergic Contact Dermatitis: This itchy rash on the feet is caused by an allergic reaction to something touching the skin. Common allergens include dyes for fabrics in socks and shoes, fragrances in lotions or soaps, and rubber or latex materials. The rash usually includes redness, swelling, bumps, and severe itching.
8. Kidney Disease: Advanced kidney disease can lead to generalized itchy skin, including on the feet and hands. As kidney failure progresses, it allows toxins to build up in the bloodstream and tissues, causing chronic itching.
9. Thyroid Problems: Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, can manifest with symptoms like chronically dry, flaky, itchy skin. The itching may occur all over without any accompanying rash and is related to the effects of thyroid hormones on the skin.
10. Pregnancy: Some pregnant women develop a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, which causes severe full-body itching. Also called pruritus gravidarum, it most often affects the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Though very uncomfortable, it is not harmful to the mother or baby.
11. Diabetes: Chronically high blood sugar levels can lead to several skin-related problems. Itchiness and dry skin on the feet are common with diabetes. Poor circulation and nerve damage in the feet increase the risk of bacterial infections, sores, and ulcers - all of which can cause itching.
12. Cancer: In rare cases, severe unexplained itching all over the body can be an early sign of an internal cancer like leukemia or lymphoma. Itching can also result from certain cancer treatments, such as medication side effects of chemotherapy.
13. Polycythemia Vera: This rare bone marrow disease causes your bone marrow to produce excess blood cells, primarily red blood cells. As a result, your blood thickens, making it hard to flow easily through your blood vessels. Itching, usually after a warm bath, is a common symptom. Polycythemia vera may increase the number of mast cells in the blood. Mast cells typically release histamine in response to allergens which cause itching.
14. Impetigo: Streptococcus (strep) and staphylococcus (staph) bacteria commonly cause impetigo. These bacteria can enter the skin if there's a break, resulting in inflammation and infection. Impetigo may affect the feet, where you may develop fluid-filled blisters that itch, ooze, and crust over.
15. Scars: You might develop scars on your feet after a wound or surgery. Some scars form due to skin conditions and infections. Itchiness and pain are common scar symptoms and may persist after the wound heals.
16. Circadian Rhythm: Research has found that your body's circadian rhythm may cause nocturnal pruritus, or itchy skin at night. Circadian rhythm is your body's 24-hour sleep-wake cycle that causes behavioral, mental, and physical changes. For example, your body temperature lowers, and your skin loses moisture. Those changes might contribute to the top of your feet itching at night.
17. Vitamin Deficiencies: Many nutrients support skin health so deficiencies might result in itchy feet. Deficiencies that may cause itchy feet include iron and vitamins B2 and B3.

Symptoms of Itchy Feet

Itchy feet may cause some or all of these symptoms:

1. Strong urge to scratch the skin
2. Red bumps or rash
3. Skin blisters
4. Cracked, dry or scaly areas on feet
5. Swelling around ankles
6. Visible irritation and redness
7. No visible changes to skin
8. Itching worsening at night

How to Prevent Itchy Feet

In order to prevent itchy feet, the cause of the problem must be identified and addressed. You may find it helpful to always wear waterproof shoes or flip-flops in shared shower facilities or at the gym. Good foot care habits can help reduce itchy feet and prevent some causes, such as fungal infection.

Since fungi can survive in shoes and socks, it’s important to wash your socks in hot water. Wearing protective shoes in public showers or public pool areas will also help to keep athlete’s feet at bay. You can also practice these foot care measures:

1. Cleaning your feet with mild soap and water, paying careful attention to the areas between your toes.
2. Applying a soothing oil-based moisturizer or calamine lotion to your feet after you shower.
3. Ensuring that your feet are totally dry before putting socks or shoes on.
4. Wearing moisture-wicking socks that are made from fabrics such as nylon or polyester which transfer sweat away from the skin.
5. Wearing wool socks that absorb moisture. Merino wool socks dry quickly, have a natural antibacterial, and help to reduce foot odor.
6. Wearing well-ventilated shoes. Certain shoe materials such as leather or rubber can worsen the itchiness.
7. Applying antifungal powder to your feet and inside your shoes if you experience regular episodes of athlete’s foot.
8. Rubbing on a topical steroid or an antihistamine to decrease inflammation and itching.

Home Remedies to Relieve Itchy Feet

If you want to find relief for your irritated skin, there are plenty of home remedies for itchy feet such as:

1. Soaking your feet in cold water or an ice bath, or in apple cider vinegar.
2. Making an oatmeal bath by adding 1 cup of ground oatmeal into warm bath water.
3. Regularly moisturize your feet with a gentle, alcohol-free cream.
4. Using topical steroids for rashes or applying antifungal creams (Lamisil) for athlete’s foot.
5. Taking antihistamines such as Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec for allergies.
6. Applying a menthol-based cream like Sarna lotion several times a day.
7. Avoid scratching as far as possible because not only does it make the itch worse, it also increases the likelihood of infection.

When Should I See a Doctor for Itchy Feet?

There are times when itchy skin may be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition. If you are experiencing a persistent itch, or if you develop an itchy rash or blisters, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider to see if you need further medical treatment. You can contact us today or set an appointment online. You may reach us in Bethesda Maryland to schedule an appointment.

See your health care provider if you experience any of the following:

1. The itching is severe enough to distract you during the day and keep you up at night.
2. The foot itching occurs during pregnancy.
3. The itching lasts longer than 2 weeks despite OTC (over-the-counter) treatments.
4. A rash on your feet isn’t getting better with OTC treatment.
5. The itch affects other areas of your body.

Call 911 immediately if you experience an itch along with difficulty breathing or swelling of your lips, tongue, mouth or face. This could be a sign of a dangerous allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

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