Itchy feet: causes, treatment and prevention
When the feet itch, a person cannot find a place for himself. Many skin diseases are accompanied by such an unpleasant phenomenon. The feeling of itching brings psychological and moral suffering, disrupts the normal rhythm of life, and interferes with everyday activities.
Why do my feet itch?
Itchy feet and toes all day and at night. The cause may be dermatological diseases.
The skin on your feet requires constant care. Dryness, accompanied by itching, occurs when there is insufficient air humidity and exposure to cold winter winds. Women are used to helping their hands with moisturizing creams. Likewise, you need to take care of your feet. If the problem lies deeper, seek help from specialists.
Factors that provoke itching
Unpleasant events cannot be tolerated. It is necessary to find the cause of the pathological process and cure it in order to avoid complications. The causes of itchy feet can occur within the body or due to environmental factors.
Injuries, abrasions, burns, frostbite of the lower extremities.
Calluses and corns cause burning.
Blood-sucking insects (ticks, fleas). Red bumps and intense itching in several family members are a reason to think about the presence of a microscopic resident.
Fungus on the feet with excessive sweating and poor hygiene quickly colonizes the skin.
- Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus), diseases of the blood system (varicose veins, thrombosis, thromboembolism) cause dry skin and itching.
- Allergic reaction in the form of dermatitis. Allergies occur after taking certain medications, foods, or new hygiene products. In addition to itching, the skin on the feet may become swollen, red, and blotchy. The patient complains of suffocation, headaches, and attacks of nausea. The soles and other parts of the body (palms, shins, torso) may itch.
- Skin with dermatological diseases (eczema, psoriasis) is constantly dry and flaky. Flaky, inflamed spots and bumps indicate psoriasis. Blood blisters that burst are seen in eczema. A dermatologist will handle the situation.
- Skin infections. In a child, it is difficult not to notice blisters with pus, constant scratching of heels and hands, and anxiety. In this case, consultation with a pediatrician is required immediately.
- Parasitic diseases. Scabies is caused by the Sarcoptes scabies mite. The mite infects the upper layers of the skin in the form of small black dots (subcutaneous itch burrows) and unbearable itching at night. The disease is transmitted through contact with a sick person: hugging, shaking hands, sexual intercourse. Two weeks pass after infection, symptoms of the disease appear. About 20 pathogens parasitize the skin of a person’s hands and feet. During its life, the mite forms scabies burrows for laying eggs. During sleep, in the evening, after a hot shower, parasites make themselves felt - the symptoms intensify. The infected person should be isolated from other family members.
- Autoimmune processes change the functioning of cells. Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome causes dry mouth and lower extremities. An elevated temperature may indicate an inflammatory process.
- Feet may itch during pregnancy. Pregnant women suffer from unpleasant phenomena as a result of skin stretching and weight gain. These changes put a lot of stress on the legs, causing skin irritation.
Correctly identifying the cause is half the result. The other half is the treatment itself. You can't scratch an itchy place! Swelling can be influenced by medications and folk remedies.
If the itching is caused by allergies, you need to exclude the influence of allergens (powders, exotic foods, synthetic clothing). Antihistamines will help cope.
Examine your feet carefully. Small wounds, foreign bodies, abrasions, and burns may go unnoticed. Antiseptic, healing agents will neutralize secondary microflora and accelerate the regenerative processes of the skin.
For scabies, treating the affected area of the body with sulfur ointment, Wilkinson's ointment, a solution of Lysol, pure tar, and ethylene glycol helps. No medicine will help if you do not adhere to the rules of personal hygiene. Treatment extends to members of the entire family.
To combat bedbugs and fleas, buy special anti-parasite products and treat the ceilings and floors. Mattresses and bed linen will have to be replaced with new ones. Lubricate the bites with antiseptics on top.
Fungal infections of the nails and feet are treated with antifungal drugs. Take medications internally and locally. Take Fluconazole, Lamikon, Intramykol in tablet form for 5-7 days. Ointments with antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects include Lotriderm, Mikozolon, Travocort. Lubricate the affected area 2-3 times a day.
Systemic diseases of various etiologies are treated by a doctor.
Traditional medicine recommends the following methods of control:
Pour 1 tsp of dry celandine into a glass of hot water. Leave for 10 - 15 minutes. Wipe the irritated skin of the feet with the tincture.
Propolis tincture will help relieve unbearable itching. Apply to areas several times a day. Propolis kills germs and moisturizes the skin. Apply ointment to gauze and apply to feet. The itching will go away within 10 minutes.
Brew tea with lemon balm (1 tbsp herb per glass). Melissa will calm the nerves and relieve skin irritation. The course of treatment is 1 month, twice a day.
Buy the drug Mumiyo at the pharmacy. Its medicinal substances restore damaged skin and increase regenerative abilities. Apply as a compress to your feet and leave for 30 minutes.
Soda. Dilute baking soda with water to a paste. Apply to itchy areas of the body. Keep until completely dry. Rinse off any remaining residue with water.
Effective itching relievers
Current medications for relieving itching include:
Sinaflan is a medicine that helps with allergic manifestations and dermatitis of various etiologies. The ointment begins to act upon first contact with the skin, reducing itching and dry skin. During pregnancy, in the presence of cutaneous tuberculosis, the drug is contraindicated.
Akriderm Genta is an antibiotic-based drug used to treat many dermatological diseases. Applying the medicine to scratches, wounds, ulcers, and rashes is unacceptable.
Menovazin is a complex pain reliever to relieve itching.
Sulfur ointment is a cheap, proven remedy. Has antiseptic properties. Can be used during pregnancy.
Hygiene and preventive measures
Itching is difficult for an adult to endure, and even more so for a child. Simple daily rules will help you recover quickly and prevent the occurrence of diseases:
Get advice from a doctor in a timely manner, do not start the pathological process, treat chronic diseases correctly.
Don’t skimp on comfortable, high-quality, well-ventilated shoes. Don't wear other people's shoes.
Do not forget about hygiene (shower and bath daily).
For minor injuries or scratches, do not be lazy to treat the damaged surface with antiseptics.
Check your blood sugar levels periodically and eat less sweets.
After washing your feet, wipe them dry so as not to create favorable conditions for fungus.
Use a pumice stone on your heels several times a week.
Fight the problem of excessive sweating of feet and unpleasant odor. Algel, Formidron, baths with oak bark and sage will help remove the problem.
For minor symptoms of itching, home care can be used. If you suspect a serious illness, you should consult your doctor.