10 causes of a deep itch on the bottom of your feet
1.
Dry skin
Sometimes itchy feet are just from dry skin.
It is one of the most common places to get dry skin, after all, per theCleveland Clinic.
When your skin lacks moisture, it can become scratchy.
Athletes foot
Your itchy feet could be due to fungi (unfortunate, but true).
Athletes footalso called tinea pedisis a fungal infection that triggers an itchy, scaly rash.
board-certified dermatologist
The fungus can also spread from your feet to other parts of your body.
Your dermatologist can treat it with an antifungal medication, says Dr. Ploch.
There are some effective over-the-counter products for treatment available, notes theCleveland Clinic.
Just be sure to follow all the instructions carefully.
To avoid athletes foot in the future, keep your feet dry and cool.
Fungi flourish in warm, humid conditions (like damp socks and tight-fitting shoes).
Here are few tried-and-true tips to prevent tinea pedis, per the Mayo Clinic:
3.
Other skin infections
Other types of skin infections can lead to itchy feet, too.
One of the most common?
board-certified dermatologist
A bacterial skin infection called impetigowhich causes itchy sores and blisters.
And like athletes foot, impetigo is highly contagious.
you’re able to catch it through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.
To stop the spread of impetigo, go to your doctor ASAP.
Theyll prescribe a topical antibiotic (or an oral one, depending on the severity of the rash).
You should see an improvement in your symptoms within a couple days of taking the medication.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Itchy feet?
If youre pregnant, it’s possible for you to chalk it up to another strange symptom.
Several things can cause itching during pregnancyone being intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, Dr. Ploch says.
Its a liver condition that triggers intense itching (usually in the hands and feet) without a rash.
Like most other pregnancy symptoms, hormones are to blame.
When this happens, bile-related byproducts build up and enter the bloodstream, she says.
And this leads to the intense itching.
When your skin encounters an irritant or allergen, your immune system kicks into gear.
The itchiness you feel is one sign that your white blood cellsi.e., your bodys defendersare at work.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
If you have a mild case of eczema or psoriasis, moisturizers can help manage the itch.
The safest treatment for itch is a bland OTC moisturizing cream that has ceramide lipids, Dr. Ploch says.
For severe cases, topical steroid creams may also be prescribed.
Talk with your dermatologist about your options.
Bug bites
Is there anything itchier than a freshmosquito bite?
(Well answer that for you: no.)
When mosquitoes (and other insects) bite you, they secrete saliva into your skin.
Histamine is what causes the area to itch and swell.
For most bug bites, itching will begin to fade within 48 hours.
In the meantime, resist the urge to scratch (we know, itsreally hard).
But scratching just releases more histamine, making the bite even itchier, per Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Plus, you could break the skin if you scratch too hard, which can lead to possible infection.
Diabetes
At first glance, itchy feet and diabetes may not seem connected.
But diabetes can affect many organsyour skin included.
Poor circulation happens when blood vessels become hard or narrow over time from high blood glucose levels.
First and foremost, if you notice any changes in your feet, see your doctor.
Left unchecked, diabetes can cause potentially life-threatening complications.
Try these simple strategies, per the ADA:
9.
Other underlying health conditions
Many other medical problems can cause a deep itch on the bottom of your feet.
Here are just a few, according to Dr. Ploch:
Treatment will depend on the underlying disorder.
If you have consistently scratchy skin on your feet, talk with your doctor.
They can help rule out other medical issues and determine the right diagnosis.
Medication side effect
Prickly feet?
It could be a side effect of your medicine.
Skin rashes are, too.
This reaction, which typically happens days to weeks after you take the drug, can affect the skin.
Hence, the itchy rash on your feet.
Instead, tell your doctor right away.
They can adjust your dose or prescribe you another drug.
They usually happen within an hour of taking a medication.
Once you properly address the root cause, the itchiness in your feet should fade over time.
In the meantime, you dont have to suffer with scratchy soles.
While some are no big deal, others are more serious.
Nothings more maddening than an intense itch that keeps you up at night.
The safest way to relieve itch is to use a bland moisturizer, Dr. Ploch says.
She recommends one with ceramide lipids to maintain healthy moisture levels and support your skins natural barrier.
For even greater relief, keep the moisturizer in the fridge.
So it provides a cooling sensation when applied, Dr. Ploch says.
Another great tip:Sleep with soft silk orcotton sheets, she says.
The baby-soft fabrics wont irritate scratchy, sensitive skin.
What deficiencies cause itchy feet?
There are numerous nutritional deficiencies that lead to itch, Dr. Ploch says.
For example, not getting enough vitamin A can cause dry skin and itch, she says.
A lack of vitamin B12 can harm your nerve cellsincluding the ones connected to your skin.
And this can lead to itchiness in the skin.
You might have a condition that affects your ability to absorb the nutrient.
What hormones cause itchy feet?
Hormonal imbalances can throw your bodys systems out of whack, including your skin.
Deficiencies of these hormones lead to dry skin.
Dry skin then triggers peripheral neurons to transmit the sensation of itch, she says.
This is why, for example, people with thyroid disorders can have scratchy skin.
If you suspect your hormone levels are off, reach out to your doctor.
They can perform a physical exam and order blood tests to determine if you have any underlying hormonal imbalances.
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