Five Causes Behind Itching Feet and How to Treat Them. 

Would you rather walk across a bed of hot coals than deal with your persistently itching feet? The smallest rash can be infuriating when you’re seeking relief to no avail..

The good news? There are simple treatments for most of the skin conditions that cause your feet to itch. Let’s take a look at five underlying causes of feet itching and what you can do about them.

Ready to learn more? Put down the pumice stone and let’s take a look!

1. Dry Skin

As important as they are to our overall well being and stability, feet are commonly neglected parts of our bodies. This is especially true when it comes to moisturizing. Elbows and knees seem to get priority while our feet remain dry, resulting in small cracks in the skin.

If you have itching feet it could be a result of not replenishing the moisture lost throughout the day leading to dry skin.

Conditions such as arid temperatures, excessive sandal wearing, and harsh cleansers can increase the likelihood of developing dry skin on the feet. It is important to wash the feet daily, pat dry with a towel, and immediately apply a moisturizer avoiding between the toes.

The podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers can prescribe special lotions and creams that can combat this condition and protect your feet.

2. A Fungal Infection

Not only is Athlete’s Foot unsightly and highly contagious but it also results in some of the most maddening itching.

If you have it on the soles of your feet the infection will frequently show up as a widespread rash with red bumps and dryness. If it’s between your toes the area will usually turn white and appear moist. In some cases of athletes feet, blisters may develop that itch and then may ooze a clear fluid.

Anti-fungal prescription medicines clear this condition relatively quickly. There are also medications available over the counter that can be attempted first. It is important to wash the feet daily and apply the fungal medicine immediately after drying the feet.

3. Contact Dermatitis

In short, this is an itching condition that occurs because of something that touched the skin and irritated your feet.

Types of things that can cause dermatitis are chemicals and glues used to make shoes, various sock fabrics, perfumes, body washes and many more. Begin by identifying what’s causing the rash and eliminate it. If you can’t determine the cause then patch testing can help pinpoint it.

The podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers will evaluate your condition and prescribe the appropriate medication that can help soothe your skin and prevent further irritation.

4. Eczema

You might be used to seeing dry, patchy skin on your knees or elbows but eczema is also common on your feet. This frequently occurs on the toes and sides of the feet and may look like an allergic reaction.

If you suffer from eczema your causes of inflammation and dryness may be different from someone else’s. You might get it from overexposure to moisture or it may result from excessively dry skin but there is no one cause for Eczema.

Topical prescription creams are available to reduce inflammation, balance your skin’s pH level, add needed moisture and protect your feet.

5. Bug Bites

When a bug bites your feet it triggers an inflammation reaction within your body that releases a chemical known as histamine which makes the bite itch. Depending on the season, you might have an itchy foot due to a mosquito bite, bee sting or another irritating pest. In addition to itching, you might also feel a burning or stinging sensation.

Topical antihistamines such as hydrocortisone can bring relief while a cold compress can help reduce the inflammation.

Calm Your Itchy Feet Today

When you’re suffering from itching feet, it can feel like there’s no end in sight. You find ways to scratch them whenever and however you can! Thankfully, your team of experienced podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers is here to help. If you’re experiencing a itching feet that won’t respond to over-the-counter medicines, contact our office today. We’ll help you put an end to the itch, once and for all!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Family Foot & Ankle Centers by clicking here or calling 972-597-4132 to reach our Waxahachie office, 903-872-9910 to reach our Corsicana office, or  972-875-3668 to reach our Ennis office.